Attractions

In New Plymouth

For thought-provoking contemporary art, head for Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Queen Street (tel. 06/759-6060; www.govettbrewster.com). You'll find major works by world-renowned New Plymouth-born kinetic artist Len Lye (who spent most of his life in New York), accompanied by an ongoing program of changing exhibitions. The gallery is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Entry is by donation.

The Taranaki Museum underwent massive renovations during 2001-02 and reopened in 2003 as Puke Ariki, 1 Ariki St. (tel. 06/758-4544; www.pukeariki.com). The impressive two-wing complex rises up in the heart of the city, a groundbreaking knowledge center that houses the full public library, the museum, and the visitor information center. An air bridge connects the two wings. The museum showcases a major repository of Taranaki history, including many Maori treasures associated with the Taranaki tribes. "Treasures" is the name that encompasses all gallery spaces, each one focusing on different components of the Taranaki experience. Make sure you check out Taranaki Stories, which details the region's tumultuous Maori land wars, pioneer history, and current Taranaki life. The complex has two cafes and a large grass park. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm, and Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 9am to 5pm. Admission is free.

The TSB Bank Bowls New Zealand Museum, Dean Park, Brooklands Road (tel. 06/758-0284; bowlsnzmuseum@xtra.co.nz), has the well-deserved distinction of being the only lawn-bowling museum in the world -- over 8,000 entries on lawn bowling's history. The museum is open by appointment only; call first.

Three beautifully restored historic buildings you can visit are Richmond Cottage, Ariki Street; Te Henui Vicarage, 290 Courtenay St.; and the Gables Colonial Hospital, Brooklands Park Drive. The visitor center can supply details on their hours.

If you'd like to know more about the region's energy reserves, visit the Maui Production Station Display Centre, Tai Road, Oaonui, South Taranaki, on the west side of the mountain on State Highway 45 (tel. 06/757-7171; www.stos.co.nz). It's New Zealand's largest gas processing plant and offers a host of information and interactive displays. The center is open daily, and admission is free. The Methanex New Zealand Motunui Plant, Main Highway, Motunui (tel. 06/754-9700), is the world's first synthetic fuel plant. Its information center has models and a video display and is open daily 8am to 8pm.

Outdoorsy types might like to cruise the Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Park, off the coast of New Plymouth. Chaddy's Charters (tel. 06/758-9133; fax 06/759-9095) will accommodate you on an English lifeboat. The 1-hour cruise takes you to the cluster of small islands, home to an astoundingly rich plant, bird, and wildlife population. The trip costs NZ$25 for adults, NZ$10 for children ages 5 to 12. Fishing trips cost NZ$60 per person and require a minimum of six people.

And if you want to explore a quaint slice of rural life, pick up the detailed brochure and map from the visitor center and drive around the little knob of coast, formally State Highway 45, otherwise known as Surf Highway. As well as the premier surf spots, you'll find many small towns, access to Egmont National Park walking tracks, and more. The area has suddenly taken off, and a number of excellent new attractions have sprung up. Make sure you also get the Oakura Arts Trail brochure, which details excellent studios like Ringcraft Moana, 109 Surrey Hill Rd., Oakura (tel. 06/752-7772; www.naturalpearl.co.nz), open Monday through Friday 9am to 4pm. Emacadamia, the Nutcracker Suite, 219 Surrey Hill Rd., Oakura (tel. 06/752-7793; www.emacadamia.co.nz), is a macadamia-nut orchard offering factory tours and a delicious range of macadamia goodies. It's open Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30pm. The Egmont Soap Factory, 33 Tasman St., Opunake (tel. 06/761-8707), produces environmentally friendly products, including vegetable oil and natural herbal soaps.

In Hawera

In Hawera, a 50-minute drive south of New Plymouth, you'll find what is widely acclaimed as the best private museum in New Zealand. The Tawhiti Museum, 401 Ohangai Rd. (tel. 0800/921-921 in NZ; www.tawhitimuseum.co.nz), is the brainchild of Nigel and Teresa Ogle. It uses life-size exhibits and scale models -- all made by Nigel -- to capture the history of South Taranaki. The Tawhiti Bush Railway operates on the first Sunday of each month, weather permitting. The museum, once a cheese factory, is open December 26 through January daily 10am to 4pm; June through August Sunday only 10am to 4pm; the rest of the year Friday through Monday 10am to 4pm. Admission is NZ$10 for adults, NZ$2 for children 5 to 15, and free for children 4 and under. The railway costs NZ$5 for adults, NZ$2 children. This amazing labor of love has won seven separate tourism awards and is definitely worth seeing.

Visiting Gardens Galore

The Taranaki Visitor's Guide, available free from any of the region's visitor centers, lists 25 public and private gardens that are open to the public. That's just the beginning. Pukekura Park & Brooklands, accessible from Fillis Street, Brooklands Road, or Victoria Road, is a double hit of exquisite parkland that includes walkways, the Brooklands Zoo (daily 9am-5pm), playgrounds, a beautiful fernery (daily 8am-4pm), lakes, fountains, waterfalls, and specialist gardens. It's a free must-visit spot in any season. Between Christmas and February, try to visit the park at night to see the stunning TSB Bank Festival of Lights.

The Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust, 2290 Carrington Rd., RD4 (tel. 06/752-4141; www.pukeiti.org.nz), has a world-class collection of rhododendron, azalea, and viraya set in centuries-old rainforest. It's a 30-minute drive from New Plymouth on Carrington Road and is open September through March daily from 9am to 5pm (closed Dec 25); and April through August daily from 10am to 3pm. There is a cafe, shop, and display center. Admission is NZ$10 adults, free for children 15 and under.

Two more must-see gardens offer free admission. Tupare, 487 Mangorei Rd. (tel. 06/765-7127; www.tupare.info), is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Hollard Gardens, Upper Manaia Road, Kaponga (tel. 06/765-7127; www.hollardgardens.info), is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Kaponga, a small rural village, is approximately 1 hour from New Plymouth. From New Plymouth, head south on State Highway 3 to Stratford and turn right toward Dawson Falls. Take a left just past the village of Mahoe to get to Kaponga. The best season to visit is September through March.

Exploring Egmont National Park

The 33,534-hectare (82,829-acre) area surrounding Mount Taranaki/Mount Egmont was established as Egmont National Park in 1900. Centered on the volcanic cone of Mount Taranaki, with more than 140km (87 miles) of walks and tracks, the area is made up of subalpine forest, volcanic landforms, mountain streams and waterfalls, rainforest, and alpine herb fields. There are panoramic views of Taranaki province from the summit of the mountain, which is just 30km (19 miles) from New Plymouth.

The North Egmont entrance to the park is a 25-minute drive from New Plymouth. The North Egmont Visitor Centre, Egmont Road, Egmont Village (tel. 06/756-0990; www.doc.govt.nz), displays geologic and botanic exhibits related to the park. It's open daily in summer from 8am to 4:30pm, and late March to late September Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 4pm. Warning: Mountain weather can be harsh and changeable; care is needed above the tree line at all times. Mount Taranaki may be pretty but it has accounted for more deaths than any other mountain in New Zealand. Always check conditions with the Department of Conservation, Stratford (tel. 06/765-5144), before a climb or hike.

Major attractions in the park include walking tracks, rock-climbing areas, delightful picnic spots, and waterfalls. The Maunganui Ski Fields (tel. 06/756-5493) are on the Stratford side of the park in the area known as East Egmont. Follow the signs off Pembroke Road in Stratford. The ski area has T-bar and rope tows, a canteen, ski patrol, and instructors. For conditions, call Snowphone (tel. 06/767-7669) or Metphone (tel. 0900/999-06; NZ$1 per minute).

Mt Taranaki Guided Tours (tel. 027/441-7042, or 06/765-6234 after hours; www.mttaranakiguidedtours.co.nz), offers 1- to 4-day guided hiking trips up the mountain, with prices starting at NZ$350 per person. If you'd like the local Maori perspective on Mount Taranaki, seek out Taranaki Tours, 48 Buller St. (tel. 0800/886-877 in NZ, or 06/757-9888; www.macalpineguides.com), whose staff will talk about the spiritual significance of the mountain and the Taranaki Maori land wars. Their "Around Mt. Taranaki" tour costs NZ$155 per person and requires a minimum of two people. Make sure you take plenty of warm, waterproof clothing -- even in summer!

Dawson Falls

Dawson Falls, off Manaia Road, Kaponga, is well worth a visit. The 17m (54-ft.) falls are just 20 minutes from the parking lot, along a safe and attractive path in the bush. The Dawson Falls Visitor Centre (tel. 027/443-0248) has a public exhibit with information on the history of the mountain and its flora and fauna. The visitor center is open in summer daily from 8:30am to 4:30pm; winter Wednesday through Sunday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. You'll also find a lodge, a waterfall lookout, many walking trails, and picnic areas. The falls are a 1-hour drive from New Plymouth. Head south on State Highway 3 to Stratford and take the signposted right-hand turn to the falls.

If you want to stay on Mount Taranaki, Rahiri Cottage, Egmont Road, Inglewood (tel. 06/756-9093; fax 06/278-6541; rahiri@taranaki-bakpak.co.nz), is a modest three-bedroom cottage set in Egmont National Park surrounded by native bush. It has two double rooms and one single room for NZ$225, and breakfast costs NZ$25 per person. A percentage of your rates goes toward kiwi conservation within the national park.