Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
early settlers and soldiers who died during the Taranaki Land Wars, as well as those of
several Maori chiefs. Check out the fabulous vaulted timber ceiling inside.
New Plymouth Observatory
MAP
OBSERVATORY
GOOGLE MAP
( 021 751 524;
www.sites.google.com/site/astronomynp
; Marsland Hill, Robe St; adult/child/family $5/3/10;
7.30-9.30pm Tue Mar-Oct, 8.30-10pm Tue Nov-Feb)
Atop Marsland Hill (great views!) is this wee ob-
huge automated glockenspiel-like device that tolls out across the New Plymouth rooftops.
MAORI NZ: TARANAKI & WHANGANUI
Ever since Mt Taranaki fled here to escape romantic difficulties, the Taranaki region has had a turbulent history.
Conflicts between local
iwi
(tribes) and invaders from the Waikato were followed by two wars with the govern-
ment - first in 1860-61, and then again in 1865-69. Following the wars there were massive land confiscations
and an extraordinary passive-resistance campaign at Parihaka.
Further east, a drive up the Whanganui River Rd takes you into traditional Maori territory, passing the Maori
villages of Atene, Koriniti, Ranana and Hiruharama along the way. In Whanganui itself, run your eyes over amaz-
ing indigenous exhibits at the Whanganui Regional Museum (
Click here
), and check out the superb Maori
carvings in Putiki Church (
Click here
).
Over in Palmerston North, Te Manawa (
Click here
)
museum has a strong Maori focus, while the New Zealand
Rugby Museum (
Click here
)
pays homage to Maori All Blacks, without whom the team would never have be-
come a world force.
South of Town
Pukeiti
(
www.pukeiti.org.nz
;
2290 Carrington Rd; 9am-5pm)
This 4-sq-km garden, 20km south of
New Plymouth, is home to masses of rhododendrons and azaleas. The flowers bloom
between September and November, but it's worth a visit any time. The drive here passes
between the Pouakai and Kaitake Ranges, both part of Egmont National Park. There's a
cafe here too.
GARDENS
Tupare
HISTORIC BUILDING, GARDENS
(
www.tupare.info
; 487 Mangorei Rd; 9am-5pm Apr-Oct, to 8pm Nov-Mar, tours 11am Fri-Mon Oct-Mar)
Tupare is a Tudor-style house designed by the renowned architect James Chapman-Taylor.
It's as pretty as a picture, but the highlight of this 7km trip south of New Plymouth will
