Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Taranaki Aviation, Transport
& Technology Museum
MUSEUM
(TATATM;
http://tatatm.tripod.com/museum
; cnr SH3 & Kent Rd; adult/child/family $7/2/16;
10.30am-4.30pm Sat & Sun)
Around 9.5km south of New Plymouth is this roadside mu-
seum, with ramshackle displays of old planes, trains, automobiles and general household
miscellany. Ask to see the stuff made by the amazing bee guy (hexagons ahoy!).
North via SH3
Heading north from New Plymouth along SH3 are various seaward turn-offs to high sand
dunes and surf beaches.
Urenui
, 16km past Waitara, is a summer hot spot.
About 5km past Urenui is arguably the highlight of North Taranaki:
Mike's Organic
Brewery
( 06-752 3676;
www.organicbeer.co.nz
;
487 Mokau Rd; tastings/tours $15/25;
10am-6pm)
, which offers tours (book ahead), takeaways, tastings of the legendary Mike's
Pale Ale (the pilsener and lager are ace, too), and an Oktoberfest party every (you
guessed it) October. A little further on is the turn-off to
Pukearuhe
and
White Cliffs
,
huge precipices resembling their Dover namesakes. From Pukearuhe boat ramp you can
tackle the
White Cliffs Walkway
, a three-hour loop walk with mesmerising views of the
coast and mountains (Taranaki and Ruapehu). The tide can make things dicey along the
beach: walk between two hours either side of low tide.
Continuing north towards
Mokau
, stop at the
Three Sisters
rock formation signposted
just south of the Tongaporutu Bridge - you can traverse the shore at low tide. Two sisters
stand somewhat forlornly off the coast: their other sister collapsed in a heap 10 years
ago, but check the progress of a new sis emerging from the eroding cliffs.
