Great Weekend Destinations: Taranaki Region

Driving 350kms north from our last destination Wellington, we arrive in the Taranaki region, best known for Mount Taranaki, New Zealand's most perfectly formed volcano.

"From world-class surf breaks to a picture-perfect ancestral mountain, Taranaki has so much on offer all year round."

​I must admit that Taranaki is a region in New Zealand that I personally have never had the opportunity to visit and therefore I had a lot of fun researching the destination. As we have family living in New Plymouth it needed to be added to our list and we are hoping to visit Mount Taranaki next year.

"Located halfway between Auckland and Wellington on New Zealand’s west coast, the Taranaki region is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, families, foodies, and those wanting to indulge in arts and culture.

With a beautifully pristine coastline that is home to more than 12 world-class surf breaks (four of them are nationally significant), the symmetrical volcanic cone of ancestral Taranaki Maunga, bloomingly beautiful gardens, endless tracks and trails, rich culture and arts, vibrant events, and decadent dining, Taranaki has something for everyone.

Visit historic sites, discover contemporary art, explore world-recognised parks and gardens, and take a hike through native forest, sample a sumptuous local restaurant dish, or surf and snowboard in the same day.

Walk the 12.7 km New Plymouth Coastal Walkway and stop off at pioneering artistic Len Lye's Wind Wand, treat yourself to an art trail, or one of the many festivals throughout the year (including the annual TSB Festival of Lights extravaganza), immerse yourself at an award-winning museum or gallery, or pay a visit to one of the last working lighthouses in New Zealand - the Cape Egmont lighthouse."

Click on the link below and check out the full page...

https://www.newzealand.com/int/taranaki/

"Visit the Taranaki region for the full mountain-to-sea experience. Catch surf-breaks and visit art studios while catching a glimpse of Taranaki maunga."

Visit the Taranaki Gardens

Taranaki is fierce in colour and vibrancy, so it’s no wonder the region dazzles with spectacular world-recognised gardens.

The annual Taranaki Garden Festival showcases more than 50 of the region's best every spring. Discover highlights such as Te Kainga Marire, Tūpare homestead, Hollard Garden, family-fun King Edward Park in Hāwera, and Pukeiti - the rainforest garden nestled in the foothills of Taranaki Maunga.

​The TSB Festival of Lights is a free event held every summer, showcasing magnificently colourful light installations in the natural backdrop of the sprawling inner-city sanctuary of Pukekura Park.

Play a round of golf

"Breathtaking scenery, tree-lined fairways, a long coastline and the gaze of Taranaki Maunga make this region a stunningly scenic and thriving golf destination. See panoramic views of the North Taranaki coastline, New Plymouth city, and Taranaki Maunga at Fitzroy, or tackle Strathmore in rural Eastern Taranaki. Whatever the skills, or ambition - Taranaki has the course for you."​

Discover the region's heritage

"Explore the region’s greatest treasures and stories, learn about the geological, Māori, and pioneering past of Taranaki. Whether you’re looking to inspire creativity, engage with heritage, or connect with local people - Puke Ariki has it all - it's a museum, library, heritage site and information centre all in one. And entry is free for everyone!

Book yourself into the guided historical walk around New Plymouth at the Puke Ariki information centre. Or take a stroll through yesteryear and experience the life of Taranaki pioneers in the 19th and 20th centuries at Pioneer Village. Further down the road in Hāwera, Tawhiti Museum and their Traders & Whalers experience offers scale models and life-size displays depicting Taranaki history, plus a train ride to showcase the region’s logging history."

Click on the link below to read the full article "Top Ten Things To Do In Taranaki"...

https://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/top-experiences-in-taranaki/