Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DON'T MISS
Sitting at a lofty altitude of 946m, North Egmont Visitor Centre is the highest national
park visitor centre in New Zealand. Here's your chance to get a considerable way up
the side of a volcano without running out of puff.
The centre is a pleasant 35-minute drive (29km) from downtown New Plymouth.
The Egmont Rd section is particularly picturesque as it passes through farmland be-
fore winding up the mountain's lower slopes, covered with dense podocarp/broadleaf
rainforest. Large rimu and rata trees can be seen. As it climbs higher it passes through
wetter and cooler montane forest with kamahi, mosses, liverworts and ferns.
Located at the road's end, the centre dispenses all the usual DOC (Department of
Conservation) information and has displays on the natural and human history of the
park. It also has a small cafe and souvenir shop.
Nearby is a viewing platform offering stunning views of Mt Taranaki, the surround-
ing countryside, the Taranaki coast and the volcanic mountain peaks of the central
North Island. There are also plenty of short walks should your itinerary allow.
DOC Offices
9am-4pm Thu-Sun, daily during school holidays)
8am-4.30pm Mon-Fri)
8am-4.30pm)
8am-4.30pm Mon-Fri)
