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With the dynamic Tasman Sea on one side, the rugged bush of the Forgotten World Highway on the other, and the picture-perfect peak of Mount Taranaki at its heart, it’s easy to see why the Taranaki region considers itself ‘like no other’. Its beginnings are marred by bloody land wars, best told in the region’s many fantastic museums, like New Plymouth’s waterfront Puke Ariki, or Tawhiti Museum just out of Hawera, which presents history and pioneering innovation as you’ve never seen it before through thousands of handmade models and artefacts. The latest contemporary art is on show at the renowned Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, which is also home to works by New Zealand’s greatest international artist Len Lye, and around the mountain there are studios and galleries to visit. The main centre of New Plymouth is a vibrant little city that is characterised by funky cafes, great boutique shopping and an international award winning 10km Coastal Walkway. The main attraction for many is the region’s outdoors, offering some of the best surf breaks in the country along Surf Highway 45. The 2518m summit of Mount Taranaki offers a challenge for the more adventurous, and over 300km of walking tracks are on offer around the mountain if you want a less energetic escape.
Taranaki Tourism |
Local Knowledge
The sunny city of New Plymouth is known for its awesome surfing beaches, glorious parks and gardens and the beautiful coastal walkway that it offers along its waterfront. The draw-card for many tourists to this area is that you can surf, snowboard, ski and water-ski all in one day with the nearest ski-fields being only a 30-minute drive away. It is a very scenic city providing stunning views of Mt Taranaki and some gorgeous artwork such as the 48-metre tall wind wand located on the waterfront.
New Plymouth has its own airport and you are able to fly there from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch direct. New Plymouth is also a great place to base yourself if you a visiting Egmont national park which is a mecca for trampers and climbers. Be sure to stop for a visit on your travels throughout New Zealand.
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