Mount Taranaki is one of the most famous peaks in New Zealand in a nation full of mountains, and the region around it is unusual in that you can snowboard in the morning and surf in the afternoon. You can also visit cultural sights and take a walk in a gorgeous garden if you have enough hours in the day. That’s a problem that many people who visit New Zealand combat—simply not enough time to see and do all that they want to during a given holiday.
- Taranaki, New Zealand PhillipC
Here is a generous sampling of the many opportunities for recreation and relaxation in the Taranaki region:
- Many who come to the region attempt to hike to the top of Mount Taranaki in Egmont National Park. You will need a guide to do so, as well as snow and ice climbing experience if you attempt a climb in the winter months.
- A variety of other paths beckon the serious and not-so-serious hiker on the mountain. The 300 km of tracks range from 10-minute nature walks to three-day hikes around the mountain. You can also fly over the mountain in a helicopter to get a good look at its conical peak.
- Skiing can be done between June and October on the slopes, operated by the Stratford Mountain Club.
- Surfing is another hugely popular sport. Some tourists go up and down Surf Highway 45 and hit all of the best sports. You can take lessons in several places and learn to windsurf, too.
- The Sugar Loaf Marine Park has loads of marine life to see, including close encounters with seals.
- You can climb volcanic Paritutu Rock for great views of the coast.
- The Cape Egmont lighthouse offers a great spot for photos of the area, with Mount Taranaki as a backdrop.
- Puke Ariki is a world-class museum and heritage centre on the waterfront in New Plymouth. It can give you a good idea of the local history and culture.
- New Plymouth also has a splendid 7-km coastal walkway past sculptures, beaches, rivers and rock pools.
- Other prospects for visits include the area’s wineries, breweries and the film locations used in “The Last Samurai.”
- For garden lovers, Pukeiti is world renowned for its rhododendrons set in 360 hectares of native forest, and Pukekura Park and Brooklands have display houses, a children’s zoo, forest walks and scenic lakes. Dozens of other private gardens can be seen by appointment.
Tours of Taraniki are available, but they might not fit your flexible time schedule. You might become enchanted by the skiing/surfing combo and decide to stay for awhile. If you do, owning your own transportation begins to make more sense, especially when you learn how easy it is to buy and sell a vehicle in New Zealand.
One place to find a great deal on a vehicle is at this link, which gives details about the used cars for sale at Turners Car Auctions, one of the busier dealers in the country.
Tooling around Taraniki in your reliable VW van could become more than a fantasy in a few easy steps. Skiing in the morning and surfing in the afternoon can also move from fantasy to reality as you spend time in wondrous Taraniki on New Zealand’s North Island.
