Exploring the Taranaki Region

If you really want to get off the beaten track and explore some of the North Island's most stunning, but less-travelled roads, make a beeline for Taranaki, the western region which stretches round the coast from New Plymouth to Hawera, with the majestic Mt Taranaki a definite highlight....

Taranaki

The area is bursting at the seams with jaw dropping scenery, from the iconic mountain itself, to the lush green plains and vivid black sand surf beaches which are just waiting to be explored.

Taranaki is half-way between Auckland and Wellington , but it feels miles away from civilisation, and is well worth making the detour. According to Maori legend, Mount Taranaki was banished to the West Coast from the Central Plateau, after losing a battle with Tongariro for the heart of Mount Pihanga . Today, the peak is a spiritual centre for the Taranaki people, standing in the centre of the region and playing a key role in the region's geography and weather patterns.

Taranaki has an awesome coastline, and is home to world-class surf breaks and three protected marine parks. There's also heaps of parks, reserves, historic sites and award winning gardens to keep you and your sightseeing needs well and truly satisfied.

New Plymouth

New Plymouth is a small city nestled between Mt Taranaki and the surf beaches of the Tasman Sea on the west coast, and is well worth a look. For starters, it has an award-winning 10km Coastal Walkway, which is a great way to explore the area. It spans the city's waterfront from Port Taranaki in the west to Bell Block in the east, or head inland on the Te Henui, Huatoki, Herekawe or Mangati walkways. The Coastal Walkway winds along the edge of the Tasman Sea , past top-rated surf breaks and art works, so why not run, walk or kite surf your way along it.

A fun and unique way to check out the walkway is by hiring a Windwanderer Bike, which you can pick up from under the iconic Wind Wand, which is a 45m kinetic artwork by pioneering artist Len Lye (1901-1980). The Wind Wand contains 1,296 lights in its glowing red ball, and has become a local icon, so you'll have no trouble spotting it! The Wind Wanderer bikes fit four people and they're a fun way to ride along by the sea, you'll definitely get a few waves from people along the way!

New Plymouth also has many surf beaches to catch a different kind of wave, so head to Fitzroy Beach , Back Beach or the Waitara Bar, of further round Surf Highway 45 for even more world-class waves.

Make sure you check out Puke Ariki Museum , where you can check out Taranaki's history and treasures, and learn about the region's story told through changing exhibitions and displays. You'll find the museum on New Plymouth's waterfront. Also drop in to the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery , which is New Zealand 's leading contemporary art museum, and home to the Len Lye collection and archive. The gallery has a changing programme of exhibitions and events and it's in quite a funky converted cinema building.

If you time your visit right, you could check out one of New Plymouth's many annual festivals - such as WOMAD (the World of Music and Dance), which is a three-day multi-cultural festival at the Bowl of Brooklands in March, or the Festival of Lights, where Pukekura Park is brought to life after dark with special events and lighting effects, from December to February.

New Plymouth 's Devon Street is bustling with a vibrant mix of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, so there's plenty of places to hang out and refuel. There are also many parks and gardens to check out, from the gorgeous Pukekura Park in the heart of the city, to Pukeiti gardens, which are a 30 minute drive away.

Surf Highway

Surf Highway 45 traces the Taranaki coastline from New Plymouth to Hawera, and is a great 105km touring route, which circles Mt Taranaki and takes you to heaps of amazing black sand surf beaches - almost every road which goes to the coast between Awakino in the north and Waitotara in the south will take you to an uncrowded point break, a launch pad for kite of wind surfing, or just a long sandy beach to stroll on. There's lots to see on the way, and you'll be stopping heaps to snap endless pics, as the scenery is pretty mind-blowing.

Stop along the way and check out the historic sites which will tell you about the region's rich history, or grab a bite to eat in a cosy cafe, and make sure you visit the diverse range of arts and crafts studios which you'll find dotted around.

Surf Highway 45 will also take you to many of Egmont National Park 's walking tracks, the Cape Egmont Lighthouse, Maui Visitor Centre at Oaonui, along with two arts trails and several gardens. You could even hire a surf guide, grab a surfing lesson or just take your time and soak up the views as you drive along.

Hawera

Hawera is the gateway to South Taranaki, which is home to the small but very stunning Lake Rotokare or the longest man-made lake in New Zealand , Lake Rotorangi. You can go water-skiing or boating on these lakes. There are also plenty of walkways, golf courses and chances to go horse riding in the area. Or if adrenalin-pumping action is more your thing, try Dam Dropping with Kaitiaki Adventures, mountain biking with Mt Taranaki Adventures or surfing with Tangaroa Tours.

South Taranaki is also jam-packed with cultural history. There are heaps of original blockhouses and monuments which tell the story of early South Taranaki . The town of Hawera is known for its iconic Hawera Water Tower, which was built in 1914 to help the town's firefighters following several fires. You can even climb it for views of the surrounding region.

One of the must-see things in Hawera is the Tawhiti Museum , which gives a unique look into Taranaki's past. It is quite an amazing sight. Former art teacher Nigel Ogle has created thousands of hand-made scale models of all aspects of historic life in the region, and it's amazing the work that's gone into it. If you look closely, you can even see the facial expressions on the miniature model's faces, and if you've ever had to do an art project at school, you'll appreciate just how much time and effort goes into creating something like this. While you're there, you can also check out the Tawhiti Mill Pottery and Tawhiti Bush Railway.

Just north of Hawera, at the junction of State Highway 3 and State Highway 43, you'll find Stratford , which is at the centre of the Taranaki region. Make sure you check out its claim to fame which is New Zealand 's first glockenspiel, which performs daily at the Clocktower in Broadway. Stratford is the closest main centre to Egmont National Park , and is the main access point to East Egmont (Manganui Skifield) and Dawson Falls.

Mt Taranaki

Mt Taranaki is a real draw-card, and offers a range of experiences from heaps of hiking tracks to skiing and boarding in the winter months on the Manganui Skifield (the ski season runs from mid June to mid October). And there's not many places in the world where you can go skiing and surfing in the same morning, with a latte in between! It towers up to a height of 2518 metres, and if you're feeling up to it, you can even join a Taranaki tour guide for some expert guidance to reach the summit of this stunning peak.

Mount Taranaki is in Egmont National Park , which has many walks (or tramps as Kiwis call it) which can be as leisurely or as full-on as you like. There are 300kms of walking tracks to choose from, so you could spend several days here if you really want to get stuck in.

If you want a challenge, check out the Pouakai Circuit, a 25km journey through Taranaki's most stunning landscapes, on the slopes of Mt Taranaki. This multi-day tramp will take you through rain forest and alpine landscapes, formed by millions of years of volcanic activity and centuries of erosion.

But if that sounds a bit much, Mt Taranaki has heaps of other short walks, as well as easy and difficult tramping tracks, where you can still enjoy the alpine landscapes depending on how fit you are, without overdoing it. You don't want to be the muppet tourist who has to be rescued because you couldn't hack the pace! The Visitor Centre in Egmont National Park has track and walk information and displays on the history of the area.

There are short walks like the Goblin Forest on the southern slopes of the mountain, where you can enjoy an amazing landscape of giant trees and thick moss, alongside alpine streams and stunning waterfalls. And it doesn't get much more scenic than that, let me tell you!

Mt Taranaki has changeable and unpredictable weather. The Visitor Centre will have up-to-date weather reports, so make sure you check them out before you go and that you have enough clothing and equipment so you can cope with whatever Mother Nature decides to throw at you! For more information contact the North Egmont Visitor Centre on 06 756 0990 or email: egmontvc@doc.govt.nz  

Rachel was a guest of the Taranaki Experience - which has six unique backpackers and accommodation options around the entire Taranaki region. She stayed at the Egmont Eco Lodge YHA in New Plymouth, The Historic Camphouse, (almost 1000 metres up Mount Taranaki), and Wheatley Downs Farmstay, where you can enjoy the peace and tranquility of life on a family farm. For more information about backpacker accommodation in Taranaki call Gary Ogle on 06 278 6523 or visit www.mttaranaki.co.nz

Written by Rachel Pinder