Attractions

Taranaki has it’s famous ‘Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular‘ in November, when selected gardens are open to the public; then in December to February ‘Pukekura Park’ holds it’s own annual ‘Festival of Lights‘, which is a fantastic occasion, that all families young & old flock to. In March there is the ‘Taranaki Open‘ Bowls tournament, which is a week long competition.

There are over 12 golf courses in the province, with Te Ngutu in New Plymouth being consistently rated amongst the ‘top five’ courses in NZ, (we can arrange a golf package if you require).

The ‘Womad festival‘ (World of music and dance) is held every two years in March, another annual ‘arts’ event is the ‘Taranaki Festival‘ in August. The ‘Coastal Walkway‘ (6km), which hugs the foreshore from the beach at Fitzroy down to the jetty at the port, showcases our marvellous coastline, and provides a tremendous natural resource for people of all ages to stay active: be it by walking, running or cycling, or simply enjoying the sights, check it out!

If you wish to explore the Taranaki ‘back country wilderness’ there are some very good places to check out: you can drive via Ahititi up to Ohura, come back over the Tahora Saddle and down the ‘Forgotten Highway‘ (SH43), another route is to drive to Stratford, then on to Whangamomona have a pub lunch and then visit the Mt Damper Falls (2nd highest waterfalls in the North Island).

It is possible to drive up the mountain, have lunch (there are two restaurants/lodges there) enjoy a good walk, return and be on the beach in 45 minutes (where else in the world, can you do that?).We can arrange the services of your own personal mountain guide. The coastal road ‘Surf Highway’ (SH45) which follows the coast also affords some spectacular scenery as well as mountain views.