Onaero, Waitara, Bell Block

ONEARO

Onaero is a settlement in northern Taranaki, located on State Highway 3 close to the shore of the North
Taranaki Bight.

WAITARA

An impressive natural feature of the town is the Waitara River, which flows through its heart. The banks of the river were the scene of a significant battle during the Taranaki Land Wars of the 1860s and involved over
2000 people. 

BELL BLOCK

Named after its purchaser, Francis Dillon Bell, the 4000-strong beachfront residential town is also an industrial hub for the region.

MUST-DO EXPERIENCES INCLUDE:

• Manukorihi Pā is set above Waitara, and features a magnificent carved meeting house, Te Ikaroa-a-Maui. Tours can be arranged for this culturally significant site. 16 North St, Waitara. Email: [email protected]
• Walk over the Bertrand Rd suspension bridge that crosses the Waitara River, linking Huirangi, near Lepperton and Tikorangi. The original bridge was built in 1897 and rebuilt in 1927 after flood damage.

New Plymouth

Taranaki’s main hub is an energetic and vibrant city nestled on the west coast of New Zealand, hugging the wild Tasman Sea. This thriving place is an eclectic mix of historical landmarks and cutting-edge architecture.

From outdoor adventurers to art lovers, avid shoppers to foodies. The 70,000-strong district city is dotted with great coffee spots and has a vast selection of cafés and restaurants.

New Plymouth is home to an international triathlon, year-round surfing events and the internationally acclaimed WOMAD festival in Brooklands Park, which adjoins our festival garden, Pukekura Park.

MUST-DO EXPERIENCES INCLUDE:

• Visit our Festival Hub in the courtyard of the White Hart Hotel for tickets, help and information. You can also grab a coffee, food and engage in retail therapy. Located in the West End Precinct.
• Reflect on the shining mirror façade of the Len Lye Centre. Explore the latest contemporary exhibition in the adjoining Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and the eclectic gift store. Corner Devon St West and Queen St.
• After a day of garden visits, book a table at the Nice Hotel. 71 Brougham St. Ph 06 758 6423
• Take time to eat, enjoy and be inspired at Fairfield Garden Centre. See where your greens come from and get ideas about planting your own veggie or fruit patch from their edible beds that supply their delightful garden café.
• The Jewel and the Jeweller, Contemporary jewellery made by NZ artists. 91c Devon St West.
• Call into Puke Ariki, an award-winning library, museum and i-SITE, to learn the stories of Taranaki’s past. Enjoy the latest temporary exhibition and find information about the region. 1 Ariki St.
• Start your day with a bike ride along the award-winning Coastal Walkway, covering 12.7km from the Taranaki Port to Bell Block and taking in Len Lye’s Wind Wand and Te Rewa Rewa Bridge.
• Kina is the perfect place for beautiful objects. The design store and gallery is filled with jewellery, sculpture, ceramics, glass, prints, homeware and original paintings from some of New Zealand’s talented emerging artists. 101 Devon St West.
• Social Kitchen, a comfortable bistro in stylish surrounds. 40 Powderham St. Ph 06 757 2711.

Ōakura, Okato, Warea

ŌAKURA

This thriving beachside community is a hive of activity all year round. Home to a popular swimming and surf beach, the iconic Butlers Reef pub, cafés, and a flourishing arts community it is only a short 14km drive west of New Plymouth. Embraced by the protective Kaitake Ranges, Ōakura is one of only three beaches along the stunning west coast that is north facing.

OKATO

This small coastal town is positioned along the well-known Surf Highway 45, which boasts some of the best surf breaks in the country. The small township 26km south-west of New Plymouth is one of the three surviving northern Taranaki military settlements established in the 1860s (along with Urenui and Lepperton). It is also home to the iconic Stony River (Hangatahua), one of the main rivers that flow from Taranaki Maunga.

WAREA

Warea is a small settlement 35km south-west of New Plymouth, home to the world-class surf break Stent Rd.

MUST DO EXPERIENCES INCLUDE:

• Stop at High Tide for one of the best coffees in Ōakura. 1136B South Rd. Open 7am to 2pm.

• Stunning locally designed and crafted jewellery, visit Ringcraft Moana. 109 Surrey Hill RD, Ōakura, Ph 06 752 7772.

• Just south of Okato is the picturesque Cape Egmont Lighthouse at the end of Cape Rd. Discover its story at the Historic Cape Lighthouse and Museum at the end of Bayly Rd, Rahotu. Open Saturday, Sunday & Monday 11am to 3pm.

• Visit the LUMEN Studios and Gallery, the artist-run space at the old cheese factory in Tataraimaka. Just 10 minutes from Ōakura this studio is part of Taranaki Arts Trail weekend and is open by appointment outside of trail days. 1729 South Rd Tataraimaka.

• Follow the Oakura Arts Trail to see works by talented local artists, who are opening their studios to the public each weekend of the garden festival.

• Visit The Crafty Fox in Ōakura for New Zealand-made art, crafts and jewellery. 1145 Surf Highway 45. Ph 06 752 7291.

Ōpunake, Manaia, Hāwera

ŌPUNAKE

Ōpunake is a seaside destination halfway along the 105km stretch of road known as Surf Highway 45. Featuring world-renowned surf breaks, mountain-to-sea views and a walkway that stretches for 7 kilometres, you will discover great cafés, antique stores, vibrant murals and a bronze statue celebrating the running efforts of hometown hero and Olympic champion Peter Snell.

MANAIA

Manaia has been nicknamed the “bread capital” of New Zealand. Home to world-renowned Yarrows Family Bakers, visitors are welcomed into the town by a giant bread sign and encouraged to stop by the bakery for great deals on bread and baked goods.

The village gets the real name from the former Māori chief of the district, Hukunui Manaia.

HĀWERA

Hāwera has many attractions on offer, from relaxing in one the town’s picturesque parks, stopping in at the famed Tawhiti Museum with its life-size figures created from moulds cast from real people, or climbing the iconic water tower, built in 1914 to assist firefighting in the town, after devastating blazes in 1884, 1888, and 1912. Aptly, the Māori name of Hāwera means “the burnt place” or “breath of fire”.

MUST-DO EXPERIENCES INCLUDE:

• The Sugar Juice Café on Ōpunake’s main road offers wholesome food, excellent coffee, and a lovely courtyard.
• Take a wander in the coastal community garden at the end of Havelock St in Ōpunake. It is like a secret garden; a little patch of paradise and a surprise find.
• Transformed from a barren path to a lush almost subtropical garden. The coastal walk is the largest in the South Taranaki District running 7km from Ōpunake Lake to Te Namu Pā.
• A community gallery that changes exhibitions monthly, Lysaght Watt Gallery showcases contemporary fine arts by emerging and established artists. Gallery hours Monday - Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-2pm. Closed on Sundays. Free admission. 4-6 Union St, Hāwera.
• Someday Café in Hāwera has plenty of delicious options to choose from between garden visits. Open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. 90 Princes St, Hāwera.
• Visit the award-winning Tawhiti Museum. Weta Workshop has helped create an underground boat ride depicting a time in Taranaki history. tawhitimuseum.co.nz
• Visit Upside Down Eatery 545 Fantham St, Hāwera for scrumptious burgers and lunch offerings. Be sure to try their homemade slices.
• The famed Yarrows Bakery on Manaia’s main road has a factory shop where garden visitors can buy freshly baked goods. 38 South Rd, Manaia. Ph 06 274 8195.

Eltham, Stratford, Inglewood

ELTHAM

Eltham’s main street is lined with Victorian buildings that are home to many charming antique and curiosity shops. The town has a fascinating history, being where the New Zealand dairy industry took off globally. A trip through the town would not be complete without stopping at the Eltham Cheese Bar to sample some of the speciality cheese and dairy products.

STRATFORD

Stratford, situated in the heart of Taranaki, is home to the only Glockenspiel clock tower in New Zealand. Every day at 10am, 1pm, 3pm and 7pm, the Glockenspiel chimes and performs a short re-enactment of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in commemoration to the town being named after the birthplace of great bard, William Shakespeare.

The town features 67 streets named after characters from an assortment of Shakespeare’s plays.

INGLEWOOD

As well as laying claim to eight buildings classified by the New Zealand Historical Places Trust, it is also home to the oldest remaining railway station on its original site in New Zealand.

MUST-DO EXPERIENCES INCLUDE:

• The Bank in Eltham is a treasure trove of vintage furniture, retro wares, costume jewellery and clothing, plus contemporary photography. 15 Bridge St. Ph 06 764 7452.
• If you love a nibble with your evening beverage, call into the Eltham Cheese Bar for a range of reasonably priced products. 1 Bridge St, Eltham. Monday-Friday 8am-3pm.
• The Percy Thomson Gallery is Stratford’s public art gallery. Open 10.30am - 4pm weekdays and 10.30am - 3pm weekends on Prospero Place, Miranda St. Ph 06 765 0917.
• It goes without saying that Fenton Arts Collective is into ART in a big way: the ART of Coffee, Art of ART and the ART of Distilling. Look at what you can find in this historic old building. Open daily for lunch and dinner. 11 Fenton St, Stratford.
• The Forgotten World Highway (SH43) drive is a unique example of untamed native bush and stunning natural scenery.
• Whangamomona Hotel, 6018 Ohura Rd, SH43. Ph 06 7625823. Experience history at the 105-year-old hotel.
• For classically Taranaki quality craft beer, you cannot miss Forgotten 43 Brewing. Stop at the brewery to tantalise your craft beer taste buds. 279 Broadway, Stratford. Ph 027 533 3024.