Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Five kilometres further south, as Mt Taranaki starts to emerge on the horizon, is the vil-
lage of
Mokau
(population 400). It offers a fine black-sand beach and good surfing and
fishing. From August to November the Mokau River (the second longest on the North Is-
land) spawns whitebait and subsequent swarms of territorial whitebaiters. The town's in-
teresting
Tainui Historical Society Museum
( 06-752 9072;
mokaumuseum@vodafone.co.nz
; SH3; admission
by donation; 10am-4pm)
has old photographs and artefacts from when this once-isolated
outpost was a coal and lumber shipping port for settlements along the river.
Mokau River
Cruises
( 0800 665 2874;
www.mokaurivercruises.co.nz
; adult/child $50/15)
operates a three-hour river
cruise with commentary onboard the historic MV
Cygnet
. Twilight cruises are also avial-
able.
Just north of Mokau,
Seaview Holiday Park
( 0800 478 786;
seaviewhp@xtra.co.nz
; SH3; campsites
from $14, d cabins/units from $65/90)
is rustic, but it's right on an expansive beach. Above the vil-
lage the
Mokau Motel
(
)
offers
06-752 9725;
www.mokaumotels.co.nz
;
SH3; s/d/ste from $95/110/125;
fishing advice, self-contained units and three luxury suites.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Taumarunui
POP 5140
Taumarunui on a cold day can feel a bit miserable, but this town in the heart of the King
Country has potential. The main reason to stay here is to kayak on the Whanganui River
or as a cheaper base for skiing in Tongariro National Park, and there are some beaut walks
and cycling tracks around town.
For details on the Forgotten World Highway between Taumarunui and Stratford, see
Taranaki (
Click here
). For details on canoeing and kayaking on the Whanganui River, see
Whanganui National Park (
Click here
)
.
Sights & Activities
The 3km
Riverbank Walk
along the Whanganui River runs from Cherry Grove Domain, 1km
south of town, to Taumarunui Holiday Park.
Te Peka Lookout
, across the Ongarue River on
the western edge of town, is a good vantage point.
Hakiaha Street
STREET
