**Mount Ruapehu and Sky Waka: A Journey Above the Clouds** Mount Ruapehu, located in Tongariro National Park, is one of New Zealand’s most awe-inspiring natural landmarks. As the country’s largest active volcano, it offers visitors a unique blend of adventure, scenic beauty, and cultural significance. One of the best ways to experience this majestic peak is through the Sky Waka gondola, a world-class attraction that provides a breathtaking journey above the rugged alpine terrain. The Sky Waka, operating year-round, ascends high above the volcanic slopes, offering panoramic views of cascading waterfalls, ancient lava flows, and the sweeping expanse of Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gondola’s large, comfortable cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows make it easy to immerse yourself in the surrounding beauty, no matter the season. In winter, the gondola transports visitors to Whakapapa Ski Area, New Zealand’s premier skiing destination, while in summer, it provides access to hiking trails and the chance to explore the mountain’s unique volcanic features. At the summit, visitors can enjoy a meal or hot drink at the Knoll Ridge Chalet, one of the highest cafes in the country, while taking in the dramatic alpine views. Adding to the experience, the staff at Mount Ruapehu and Sky Waka are known for their warmth and hospitality. They ensure a seamless and enjoyable adventure, sharing insights about the mountain’s geology, Māori cultural heritage, and outdoor activities. Whether you’re a nature lover, thrill-seeker, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, Mount Ruapehu and the Sky Waka gondola offer an unforgettable journey into the heart of New Zealand’s volcanic wonderland.

First climb Mt Ruapehu (2797 m) in winter, from the southern side (Toroa Ski Field). It was harder than I thought. The last 600 m is very steep, and the average slope angle is larger than 40 degrees. You must be fully equipped. When taking photos, you should be very careful as nowhere is flat (you must stick your ice axe deeply into snow and ice, use it as a post to stop your feet sliding). Unfortunately, I lost my phone near the peak somewhere.

The highest mountain on north island in NZ. Definitely a must visit as it is the spot for mort tourists. It's about 5 hours drive from Auckland. Make sure to travel on a sunny day to get the best views at the Peak. We visited the skiing section of the mountain. There are charges if you would like to go higher up the mountain for skiing or site seeing.

Always eager to see how much snow is on the mountain when we head past every month or so. The Desert Rd is straight in places & windy in others. Don't speed, you will more than likely get a ticket if you go over 100kph in a vehicle (90kph if you are towing something). First views of Ruapehu are when you head north from Taihape.

Even out of season it is worth going up the mountain for the views. I was in luck in that there had been an early snow storm the previous week, so even though it is May, and everything is shut up the mountain (Sky-Waka Gondola was shut on 26th April, to re-open Kings Birthday - maintenance etc - would have loved to of gone up), there was fresh snow up at the base, so my daughter who had not been to snow for 13 years could enjoy the experience. In season parking can be hard to find (have been up other times), and if conditions are bad it is 4x4 or with chains - or of course it can even be closed. Road conditions are posted on-line on the websites, and on Met Service - weather, when clicking on mountains, and Whakapapa Ski Field - it shows mountain conditions, road conditions etc. Useful to check, as the road had been closed just days before I went up. In season there is skiing of course, food and other services. Enjoy.

Worth the trip up to Whakapapa ski field for the views alone, some great walks along the way. Halfway between the village and ski field there is a large vehicle pull over area you ca get some great pics.

You will fall in love with this place...just amazing views 😍 ❤️ ♥️ ✨️

We had the most excellent experience with Paul and the team. Great communication and local knowledge. Lots of tips to look for and enjoy along the trail (something we found, other groups didnt know about) Even rode up to meet us for lunch in the sun on day 2. Fantastic camp facilities. Loved the huge camp kitchen, fire and hot showers. Very grateful from a group of novice cycling adventurers, for enabling us to make the most of our trip and come away smiling and happy

All very straightforward. Park up, meet the team, grab your helmet and then be transported to the start of the ride. Great introduction from Paul to the area on the way and after a simple briefing you are into the forest. The route is clearly marked and straightforward although a bit of skill is needed from time to time. The eagerness to cross the ’swing’ bridges varied between our riders! However, the views are spectacular. Camp Epic is epic. Great facility, allegedly the best outdoor showers in New Zealand. The second day is mostly on the disused railway lines from the timber days but is no less interesting.

This cycle trip is an absolute must for everybody young or old. You can take your time. You can go fast. You can enjoy the scenery or just rip through the wonderful big bridges.!!! 100 %, the best thing to do in NZ, North Island. Accommodation was great, and the showers were the best at the end of the day !

I arranged a group of 18 fellow cyclist to bike the Timber Trail. We used Paul and his team from Epic journeys. The whole experience was wonderful. From booking to participation. They certainly run a well oiled cog from start to finish. Super organised great communication. Glamping facilities were excellent. Comfortable beds. High pressure showers. Generator to allow all bike batteries to be charged up ready for day two. Fabulous breakfast. Top notch smooth shuttle service. Thanks team Epic. You are Epic. Regards Debbie on behalf of Hutt Valley Tramping club

The day started in glorious sunshine with my wife and I heading up on the shuttle with Epic Adventures from the Bennett Rd pickup in Ongarue. We chatted all the way to Piropiro, the half way point on the trail where Epic Adventures had set up a permanent Glamping Site for those doing the 2 day ride. The site was awesome, wanting for nothing. We being a little time pour chose the 1 day half distance option from Piropiro. We’ll once on our e-bikes which make hills fun and downhills exhilarating we proceeded down a well makes and signposted trail. The work done to rebuild the trails and tracks let alone the numerous bridges and suspension bridges from days of old timber transporting routes is brilliant. Lots of stop points with details to educated you on what had actually occurred. The whole ride was relatively easy, especially with an e-bike with the first climb and downhill at low Grade 3 and the rest at Grade 2. This ride is an excellent start to your trail riding future throughout the North Island of New Zealand. Thank you to Epic Adventures and Department of Conservation for making this possible.

We have just returned from an Epic weekend at Camp Epic! Paul and sons Josh and Julius looked after our 2 families so well- from arrival, to shuttle there, overnight accommodation and helping with mechanical issue to load our bikes on trailer at the end. The camp has warm beds (for October weather) , the tents stayed dry despite the rain, the showers were hot and powerful- blissful after a long day of cycling. Thanks Camp Epic :)

Simply the best experience ever with these guys! We booked our Timber Trail experience with Paul from Epic via email and phone. He was so helpful and easy to deal with. We booked bike hire and camping at Epic campground on route. The bikes were awesome. The service from the first email was great. Staying at the campground is an absolute must - hot showers, clean loos, huge log burning fire with sofa and as much wood as you could ever need. Kitchen facilities were perfect. We can’t think of anything else this group could have done to make the experience better. Even the price was so reasonable compared to the other companies advertising. Well done and a massive thumbs up!!!!!

Book their Mount Tongariro package (with shuttle service) last feb. Hassle free, just book and confirm your slot. Shuttle was on time to and fro. A short 20min ride to trailhead for hiking.

We booked 4 people on BOOKIT, and web says the end time is 4pm, whilst stuff onsite say the only one shuttle that can pick up us is at 12:30pm. We recommend people'd better call them in advance to make sure everything is what it is, whilst in Ohakune there are more routes, more shuttles and better bicycle.

Richard at 'My Kiwi Adventure' made our 42nd Traverse trail logistics nice and easy, and stress free. We liaised in National Park, dropped our cars at Owhanga (trail end), before being shuttled round to the start, by Richard. He also gave us a comprehensive run down before we started. Thanks Richard.

What a super fun Old Coach cycle adventure. Suited our group of 4 riders aged 11-49yrs. Loved the comfort & performance of the bikes - and the staff...professional yet felt like old friends. Do it! Fishers track is next on our to do list.

Used My Kiwi Adventure for a ski shuttle. Richard was super patient, cheerful and informative on a day that was super busy. Definately worth pre-booking the shuttle. Will do it again.

Terrible communication. We got to the hike just fine but missed our shuttle back because their bus wasn't marked properly. The other companies in the area do it much better because they'll make an announcement in the parking lot to make sure they're not leaving anyone behind

Walked in staff didn’t tell us about the weight and stuff and I am 50 kg my friend is 75 he was very high up and the weight when he dropped I didn’t have any control over him because the staff didn’t explain it and talk to us about it she was very unprofessional and my mate fell off the climbing wall hurt his back and the staff didn’t do anything about him my mate is now concussed the minute I walked in the place smelled very poor the bathroom was disgusting and placed right next to the kitchen

Hi! Had an amazing time with Adrift today! Thanks for having me! Our group was led by Stew and Kenny. It was very comforting to have both in our group as you could tell safety was always first and everything else was a close second. Kenny brought so much of his upbringing, culture and knowledge into the tour from beginning to end and you could tell he was extremely skilled at his craft and brought a lot of good energy wisdom and talent to the trek. Was so glad to be a part of his group. Stew was awesome as well — being a quiet yet essential group leader also, scouting and breaking trail ahead. Safety was always first and everything else was a close second. Everything else being fun, friendship, fellowship, and the freedom of the hills. I highly recommend Adrift without reservation. Thank you again and take care! Kia ora.

We had an incredible day hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with ADrift. Our guide, Kenni, was awesome, highly professional, and provided all kinds of insights, not only about the area we were walking through but also about Māori customs and culture. Stewart was also fabulous!! We were also lucky with the weather: ideal temperature, barely any clouds, and a glorious sunny day. Without a doubt, ADrift is a very professional company and one we would highly recommend.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is absolutely breathtaking, and doing it with Adrift made it even better. Our guide Kenny was incredible — not only a skilled tour guide but also one of two Māori park rangers. His deep knowledge of the land, stories about its cultural significance, and respect for the environment added a layer of meaning that made the hike truly special. Kenny kept us safe, supported, and inspired the whole way, while still making the day fun and memorable. From emerald lakes to volcanic craters, the views were unreal — and having a guide who connected us to both the landscape and its heritage was priceless. If you’re thinking of hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, I can’t recommend Adrift enough. And if you get Kenny as your guide, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure.

Had a wonderful time hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and our guides (Kenny and Matt) were super supportive and provided lots of information and history on the area. As someone who has had experience hiking, I would recommend going with the guides as they will be able to direct anyone through the unpredictable weather conditions!

We were so happy to do the crossing on 15-10 with Adrift! If we would have done it ourselves (we doubded if we should) we wouldn't have made it over, cause of the quick changing weather at the moment. Even though we had a nice day (it was a window in time, cause it rained for 6 weeks), we got caught in a blizzard, but guides Kenny and Ty professionally led us through. There was still some snow on the track, which they provided gear for but we didn't end up using. Would definitely recommend to book with them! Unforgettable experience!

Awesome hike with a great guide. Though we didn’t need a guide to navigate the route, have a guide that could explain the culture significance and history made the day complete. The beauty of the hike is surreal.

Really glad we booked a tour through Adrift to do the Tongariro Crossing hike! The guides were super friendly, kept us on pace, gave tips for navigating different terrains, and shared neat stories and history of the landscapes. Highly recommend booking and buying the lunch as it makes the entire experience very convenient and the lunch is substantial with snacks to eat along the way.

Loved our adventure in Taumaranui with the Forgotten World Adventures team for our Rail Trail River Combo! Lovely friendly people, well organised. Very knowledgeable and fun and interesting stories about the history of the railway line and the district. Yummy morning tea and lunch. Then a wonderful trip in the jetboat with Paul down the Whanganui river! What an awesome day!!!

Everything was well organized. All the staff were very friendly and helpfull. The food and cakes were excellent! Our tour leader Ray had a great knowledge of the area and it's people. He also a lovely sense of humor! We loved going through tunnels, over bridges and stay in Whangamomona. Paul who took us up the Whanganui river in the jet boat was a skilled driver who knows the river inside out. We even saw the blue ducks!! To top it off we went to Blue Duck station. An amazing place!! Thank you so much for the epic experience!! Thea Ris

It was bucket list tick, and worth it. The countryside I went through on the golf cart was soul soothing, just beautiful. The company was A1. There were a few unplanned events, they were handled so well. Action was decided promptly and the support for each other from the staff was wonderful to watch. Thankyou, I had a hoot.

A friend and I recently did the Republic 1 Forgotten World rail tour and I have to say it was one of the absolute best experiences of our lives!! We stayed the night at the Forgotten World Motel as we were traveling down from Auckland and though it is an older motel, it had everything we needed for a two night stay. But from the motel to the rail tour to the shuttle ride back at the end of the tour the most memorable thing was the staff, especially Awhi, who’s kind gesture made her an absolute legend in our eyes! Everyone was absolutely brilliant and accommodating in every way! I would strongly recommend this experience to not only international tourists, but also to kiwis alike! A great way to see farmland, countryside and native bush. But one piece of advice would be, take a warm jacket because those tunnels are chilly!

The Republic Cart Tour is outstanding. Everything ran like clockwork and the food provided was very much appreciated and tasted wonderful. The staff who travelled with us were very informative and humorous. The bus trip while necessary was long on a very windy road, but the rail cart trip made up for it. Many thanks. .

Excellent tour, we learnt so much of the history of the areas we visited, enjoyed the interaction with other tour members and the guides. We saw parts of New Zealand that we never knew existed and would not have visited except on this trip. The Guides were excellent, meals were tasty and Well prepared. We recommend this tour for all.

Where to start ??? Staff 100% ,Scenery 12/10 , railcruise experience 10/10 , staff talks LEGENDS. HIGHLY RECOMMEND Doing this !!! Cheers to Rihana , Logan and Conner.....THEN onto the Jet boat ???? WELL WHAT AN EXPERIENCE . It's NOT close to the walls thrills , instead a fast cruise down and back up the Legendary Whanganui River

Highly Recommend - Awesome afternoon at Ruapehu Adventure Rides - brilliant guides and trails through farmland and native bush. Quads are well maintained and easy to ride. Safety briefing gave us confidence, and the practice loop introduced our learner drivers to the basic skills. Our guides then took us through some open terrain and increasingly more difficult obstacles to increase our confidence before taking us on our adventure through the bush and mud. Had a really great time following old logging tracks and winding our way through the native forest and along the old tramline. Younger passengers (under 16) get to ride in the quad buggy and Karl makes sure there are miles of smiles and adrenaline! Thanks to our hosts and guides Karl, Maria and Mike we had for a great afternoon. (Note no dogs as you are driving around native bush with kiwi's and native birds - absolutely stunning views and scenery 😀)

What an outstanding day we had, awesome ride. Thanks Karl and Maria the weather even turned it on today. Thoroughly recommend this adventure ride. Take the two hour trip you wont regret it.

What an awesome experience and thanks to Karl and Maria for their awesome work. My partner and I enjoyed an amazing quad bike ride through the paddocks and deep into the bush on a wet, foggy and misty day. We got to see beautiful NZ from another perspective and had a lot of fun. Karl made sure I was confident and educated on using the quad bike, and we had great photos to take home with us. Definitely recommend this experience!

Thoroughly enjoyed our quad bike experience with Ruapehu Adventure Rides! My wife and I are experienced riders but my son's fiance had never been on a quad bike (ATV here in the USA). Karl was very good at showing her how to operate the quad bike and made sure she was comfortable with it before we headed out on the tour. Their quad bikes are well maintained Hondas. The ride we went on includes some open pasture riding as well as some trail riding. Highly recommend them!

My husband and I did this and it was absolutely fantastic. I highly recommend it if you are in the area. I felt completely safe at all times and at the end I was really impressed with everything we tackled and achieved.

Great day for an adventure, guided 1.5 quad bike adventure. The guide's instructions were very clear and friendly. We went during rain so we couldn't see the mountain. But it provides more challenging and slippery terrain for us. It was a lot of fun. The quad bikes were amazing machines and never let us down on muddy and slippery surfaces.

Absolutely amazing time was had here. From the clear instructions and safety briefing to our adventures on the hills, we were well looked after by the team. Incredible views of all four mountains were had. A most enjoyable afternoon was had and we would certainly recommend to anyone. Well catered to all age ranges and abilities.

What an amazing place. We were recommended by a friend to call in here on our way down to the Naki. He and his partner always get berries here. He was 100% correct to do so. Some of the best berries I've had, their black berries are a personal favourite. Gonna pick some more up on the way bag home. Really well priced as well.

A real treasure once they're open again, seasonal fruit, ice cream and frozen yogurt, this is the perfect way to break up a SH3 drive between Auckland/Hamilton and New Plymouth. Nice outside space to stop and relax for a while.

Excellent muffin mix berries and smoothie “smoo” ✨

Overall it is a good place to stop, but one of my friends said they had less berries in her ice cream compared to other berries ice cream shop as her personal opinion

Theeee freshest and sweetest fruit I've ever tasted! The punnets are so good value considering the high quality and freshness of the berry's. We live a hour away and are returning customers now! Ice creams are super delicious. The shop itself is very clean and well maintained which is another reason we keep coming back!! Absolutely a big must to stop if your ever passing by you will not regret if you love fresh fruit. This is no where near compared to supermarket berry's either this is top tier 💯💥

Great pitstop, especially in summers, to quench your thirst with some of these natural cold treats. Had lots of outdoor shaded/non-shaded seating and clean toilets. They have ice creams/frozen yogurt for $5 or $4 for kids cone- 50¢ for waffle cone (Blueberry, raspberry, strawberry or mix berry) or smoothies a bit steep for $8.5 (Smoo, buzz and berry). They even sell all berries in small and large boxes and muffins and coffee as well. Both ice cream and smoothies we're great and must recommended if passing through.

Good little stop on the way to Taranaki. The frozen yoghurt waffle cone was good, and the kids liked the fruits that were on sale at the shop.

Great experience. The whole set up is amazing. Everyone in staff so helpful and a great laugh. Will do again 5 days next time. It's fun playing submarines on the 50/50

It was amazing seeing all the nature the service was just amazing and if you do canoeing I say jump in on the last day .

We scheduled a booking for the Whanganui river. Karen was really helpful making the booking. Eventually, expectations of poor weather led to the need to reconsider. Karen gave really responsible advice and worked hard to ensure our trip could proceed safely. In the end, we were a bit concerned about our young daughters and our own inexperience. Karen was extremely helpful with the Canoe Hire AND the DOC cancellation. Unfortunately we didn't get to review the actual experience, but our customer service experience was worth a review. We're planning on rescheduling next summer. :)

Lovely family with kids and dogs really homey atmosphere. During the canoe debrief they made us coffees and homemade bread. We were very impressed! The canoe and all the equipment were in great condition and they picked us up right on time at the end of the trip to bring us back to our campervan. Thanks for the great experience guys, our arms are still sore from all that paddling! 🤣

Epic adventure. Team that sorted us out made sure we had all the info ahead of time, gave us some good training and gear and boats were super reliable. Home for a few days lol. As for the journey itself, the whole thing was just unreal, not what you ever really get to see. Alot of it was just flat paddling as the river was pretty low apparently. Some good rapids along the way that had some stress going for a minute but my partner and I managed to make it down without coming out of the boat once 😉 Highly reccomend.

These guys are great! Friendly service and they were even kind enough to invite our group for Christmas dinner when we arrived. Coffee was served on the day before we hit the water and chocolate muffins were waiting for us when we finished our journey! It’s the small things that count! I definitely recommend them!

Well organised canoe hire and transport company. Staff were knowledgeable and clearly had plenty of experience running the hire co plus knowledge of the river and weather forecast. Answered many a question I had leading up to the trip. All equipment in good nick and had everything we needed. On time and safety conscious, thorough briefing which helped us on the river! Error on my part, but they resolved a late notice accom date change easily and took the time to ensure all dates were correct. We stayed at theirs the night before we started the river trip. The top accom block has a king bed pvt room and 8 bunks, with 1 bthrm. I'd recommend this if it's still available. There's a larger toilet block near there which most of us didn't find until the next morning so hunt it out so there's no queueing for a toilet while someone is showering. The lower bunk rooms have power and sleep 8 in a room. Hopefully in time an additional shower block could be set up, we would've appreciated this for our size group even if we had to pay a bit more to stay to cover the cost. Portaloo down at the lower shed where you can pack and unpack your barrels are probably the worst smelling toilets I've come across in a long time. Didn't see staff to tell once I'd used it at the end of the trip, but could do with a clean and regular service! Otherwise, a great experience.

We popped into Laurens Lavender for a coffee and thoroughly enjoyed it. The cafe has coffee, drinks (alcohol and non alcoholic), muffins, scones and cake. The coffee and muffins we had were great. The cafe also has plenty of tables to sit in the sun or shade. The owner was really friendly and we enjoyed going for a short walk around the premises and down to the river. Great spot to pop down to just a 15 min drive from Taumaranui town.

Loved it. Beautiful drive through countryside. Ideally situated for a stop. Tea, coffee great cakes and lots of Lavender products!

Absolutely gorgeous place, friendly service and relaxing spot to enjoy morning or afternoon tea. To avoid the crowds, come early before 10am. The carrot cake was especially yummy.

Lovely oasis along the Forgotten World highway . Cafe with homemade cakes, pots of tea , all in a scented garden. Little shop well stocked with Lavender products.

A top place to enjoy the beautiful lavender gardens and fauna. Tea, coffee and scones hit the spot. I would return again. Thank you to the lovely and friendly staff.

Stunning spot on the awa. The cafe and shop produce fantastic products so worth stopping even if the Lavender are not blooming. Find the trail to take a walk down the 129 steps to the River to get a unique perspective from the canoe landing place. Wonderful hosts.

Beautiful Garden, fantastic spot for tea. Love the friendly staff who are patient and helpful, providing us vital information on road closures.

A lovely walk down through the forest to viewing platform to see the falls. Unfortunately, there was no prior signage at the start of the walk to indicate that a sizeable section of the timber access platform used to access the viewing platform had collapsed some time ago. We found a warning sign covered if foliage on the debris adjacent to the platform.

Not sure if it’s meant to be open. You can walk down to just near the bottom but the steps are covered with branches and it’s a muddy slippy last few steps down to the viewing platform. Path and steps down obvs wet and muddy after all the recent rain. Beautiful falls though if you can make it.

We didn't know the viewing platform was closed so we though the path was kinda funny and struggled getting there - which makes sense now. We eventually gave up and then noticed there was a fence and board thrown on the side of the path. Would be nice if they give better information about this closure on the site itself and dix the broken fence with sign. Nice big waterfall though

Disappointed that the track at the bottom is washed away. The only sign to say it was closed was actually above the veiwing platform. It should have been at the beginning of the track. It's a very steep walk both ways with steps and slightly slippery. Hard work for not being able to veiw the full extent of the waterfall.

Beautiful waterfall. Only 15 minutes-return from the car park. The drive towards the parking area is scenic and it is worth the drive. Only 4 stars at this time of visit because I believe the track and the viewing deck needs maintenance.

Beautiful tiered falls, not far from Hairy feet tours/LOTR Trollshaw which is well worth taking, the scenery is stunning. Enjoyed the walk down to the falls. Told it was pretty steep and that there are 180 stairs but didn't find it so other than the initial decline, moss covered trees along the path and in the treetops above so looking very green and picturesque, steps all in good order.

Beautiful waterfall. Very near to Piopio. The road near the falls is gravel. Even if the road is gravel, a small car can make it. You can not miss the sign from date high. The track to the waterfalls is like 10 minutes. The track to the waterfall goes down and then up when you return. There is no toilets available. This is a must see in this region.

Very well organized trip, friendly staff, they gave us good instructions. Amazing trip, even after we experienced heavy rain on day two.

We loved the trip and are very happy we booked this company in particular. The canoes and barrels/dry packs were easily the best quality compared with the other companies. Everyone was friendly and we felt well supported by the team. The hot coffee, cakes and hot chips at the end were a great touch. Highly recommend!

4 days canoe trip. Amazing experience. Beautiful scenic journey. We booked a night before and after the river trip. Confortable and very clean facilities. Worth a spa after 90km paddling. Great value, great team and lovely owners. Thank you, see you next year Justine, Sylvan, Steph & Andrew

Great team, brilliant experience and a lifetime of memories. My partner and I did the 3 day freedom hire. Lots of storages was provided; 1 large barrel each, 1 small barrel each, a massive dry bag for tent / day bag etc and a black strong box for valuables. Lots of info as you are are booking so felt very prepared.

ABSOLUTELY amazing!!! Great facilities to stay at the night before with lovely hosts. Well organised company and staff, great safety briefing with good equipment and support. Couldn’t recommend this company enough!

Excellent hire company! My partner and I hired a canoe for 3 days for a freedom tour on the river. We were given a detailed video guide the day before and tips about how to paddle the canoe effectively and safely. Ben and Rebecca were very helpful, informative and accomodating, plus the snacks and drinks upon our return were very welcomed and a nice touch! :)

A fantastic little company that does the little extra for their customers! They take safety very seriously and provide you with excellent instructions and gear! This makes you feel safe and prepared to get out on the river on your own! And what's even more important; after seeing the other operators in action around the river, we felt that we had chosen the best one! Can also recommend their campsite that feels very fresh! Encourage you to get one of their cabins ahead of a canoeing trip even if you plan on sleep in tent along the river! They are comfortable and makes the morning before departure so much easier! An easy five star!

Our group of 12 canoed down the river staying at the Bridge to Nowhere Lodge on our second night. What a welcome respite from a drizzly day to have hot showers & comfy beds & a red wine while we shared our stories. Mandy & Joe were superb hosts & made us all very welcome. Love the beautiful view overlooking the river. I would definitely recommend !!

Ben shared the gorgeous Wanganui River with us today on The Bridge to Nowhere Tour. Fabulous trip and what a down to earth and professional tour company these guys are. Knowledgeable and super friendly. Impressive kiwi caring and sharing. You simply must take the drive and book in with this team. Thanks Ben , that was magic. :)

We had a fantastic time at both the lodge and doing the 2 day walk and canoe package. It was great having a shorter canoe trip option down the river and being able to stay at the lodge which was comfortable and tidy. Everyone was very helpful and the option to bring your own food was great. Highly recommended

Fantastic time on the jet boat and canoeing. Joe was very knowledgable on the history of both the Bridge to Nowhere and the river itself. We really enjoyed the canoe ride. We were able to be independent and go at our own pace. Their dog, Buck, was also one of my personal favorite parts.

What an amazing place!! Camped there while canoeing down the river such wonderful hosts. Who dried our wet sleeping bag. I want to come back one day, by jet boat, and stay in the lodge. Your hospitality is amazing.

We arrived late via canoe with a large group. We stayed in beautiful cabins with the most comfortable mattresses ever! The self catering kitchen at the camp site had everything we needed and the showers were awesome. A really beautiful location, waking to birdsong and view over the river is something I won't forget in a hurry. Thank you so much for having us.

Great lodge after a day paddling. We we're fortunate to have the place to ourselves (group of 18) so could spread out across a lot of rooms. Staff assisted with driving stuff up from the river, provided a bar thru the evening and a massive spread for dinner and continental breakfast in the morning. The lodge features great views, a range of bedroom options, fully catered, pigs chooks ducks dogs and a cat (Blackie) to enjoy watching. The place was clean, comfortable, hot showers and flushing toilets, great views, an epic hearty meal and friendly staff. I'd recommend staying a day and chilling there if you can, we didn't have enough time to fully appreciate it.

Absolutely worth the drive if you have time. The road in is in pretty good condition including tunnels, wash outs, some unsealed, cows sitting in the middle of the road sunning themselves, rockfalls, and the odd friendly farmer or two and that is before you even get to the Falls. Don’t be put off I drive a very low, two wheel drive, towny car and it was no problem at all. Although, I will now have to clean the car and the farmer was very surprised we drove in 😂😂😂.

Short lil walk with less than 20 steps. You start by walking through someones farmland, which was real pretty. After crossing a smal bridge you enter a beautiful forest. Total walk took us 15 minutes, so 30 return.

Amazing views. The longer 7 hr walking track is overgrown so it's not really possible to walk even just a little way along. But the track to the waterfall is relatively easy, but has a bunch of stairs closer to the falls

MT Damper falls glory lies in the amount or rainfall she gets. When we went there, there was less water. You can view the Falls from the lookout. There is no track to go right down to the base to see the falls. We loved the rock formation around the waterfall. There is also another waterfall on the left when returning from Mt Damper Falls. However, there was no water. We just went to Mt Damper falls but next time will want to continue to the other falls. The track is all good. Not steep but bearable. There is a car park and you can not miss the turn off. You will encounter sheep along the track but do not worry, they will run off. We were traveling to Kaponga from Auckland. You do not have to return the same way but continue on the same route and you will come out in stratford. Be prepared to drive on gravel road. It was not too bad when we did this. This is no fee to visit Damper falls.

an absolute geological wonder - clay cliffs continually eroded by water provide this massive dome-like spectacle, truely an awe-inspiring sight to see. navigation of SH 43 can be tricky - sign is small and reception is patchy. would recommend a paper map just incase. the other smaller waterfall off to the right of the track is slippery in winter, so take care.

The walk to the waterfall was beautiful, the waterfall itself is just average. Not sure if it's worth the travel time.

A good break on the shortcut route from New Plymouth to the National Park. It's an easy 12-min walk from the intersection/parking area to the upper lookout via a private sheep farm.

What a fantastic day out. Well organised but relaxed start to the trip. Good H & S briefing. Then followed one of the best jet boat rides we have ever had. A good walk up to the Bridge To Nowhere. Lunch stop there with Ken giving a good run down on why the bridge was built why the settlement of this area failed. Ken’s delivery all day was good with much of it first hand family experiences. Then back to the boat - short trip and it the start of our canoe leg. A great blast - all to soon back at Pipiriki. Can only recommend this tour and the slick operation run by Josephine & Ken.

I love everything about Whanganui River Adventures. I took the jet boat from the Bridge to Nowhere while doing Tour Aotearoa bike route in March. From booking the boat, getting picked up at the landing and staying in their cabin, everything was smooth, and everyone was helpful. The boat ride was a highlight, it’s a beautiful part of the world. And they made it even better by making our food order halfway through the ride, so burgers were ready when we arrived. The cabin was clean and comfy, great facilities: bike wash, hot shower, coin laundry, kitchen stocked with pans/pots and utensils. Great business and amazing staff!

My husband and I cycled the Mountains to Sea route. The jet boat ride from Bridge to Nowhere down to Pipiriki was just magical. We loved the extra information provided by Thomas. It helped give more context to the landscape we had cycled through. Following this, we stayed a night on their campsite, and this was lovely. The whole team is super helpful and friendly. Facilities were great, yummy food and flat tent sites. All this set us up well for the fabulous ride down the river road to Whanganui. Thank you 😊 🙏

Cycled to Pipiriki from Whanganui via the Whanganui River Road. My friend and I were met by smiling, friendly faces, and we were instantly made to feel welcome. We stayed in a cabin for the night, and the beds were a little hard for my liking, but I still managed a decent night sleep. The sound of Ruru all night was amazing! Sparking clean facilities, a little store with everything you need and nothing you don't. There was also a little takeaway shop that was selling cooked meals like fish and chips (open days/times vary, so it pays to check its operating during your visit) Highly recommended! Will absolutely stay here again ⭐️

Awesome small camp ground. A number of cabins, powered sites and tent sites set around a large grassed area. Excellent amenities in what was once an old school. I would definitely recommend this place to stay. This is an ideal spot along the Whanganui River.

After our Tongaririo crossing was cancelled two days in a row due to the weather we were at a loss of what to do in this area of the North Island. Luckily for us we found this gem of a company and activity. Everyone was incredibly friendly and knowledgable- especially Thomas our guide for the day. A thrilling hour long jet boat tour up the river and a 40 minute walk through the park to the bridge to nowhere where you stop for lunch, the company provide hot drinks and biscuits, and time for photos. Thomas also provided a very interesting talk about the history of the bridge. Repeat the journey back to base. There is the option to canoe back the last 10km- which we wanted to do- but alas the weather/wind was still not on our side! If you are in the area I would highly recommend!

What a fabulous business, I got greeted by name at Mangapurua Landing. I had cycled there from Whakahoro. Experiencing the river in the jet boat was an amazing experience and a very cool way to finish a bike ride. At the campground I got greeted again by my name, given a tour of the place. I also order dinner. Brilliant service for a hungry cyclist. The cabin bed was super comfortable, I had a very good sleep

Fabulous tour: jetboat, walk to bridge to nowhere then canoe,with last leg on jetboat again. Murray and Jonathan were great guides, adaptable, and really friendly. Excellent knowledge of the history of the area. Really enjoyed our family day out. Thanks to the crew for making it awesome.

Had an amazing day on the river with the jet boat, bush walk and canoe! On the way to the bridge we’ve stopped at a few nice spots and at the rapids (the guide explained how we could navigate the rapids). The walk to the bridge was nice through native bush and we had a nice picnic with some stories about the bridge and river. The canoeing was definitely adventurous and fun!

We did Jet Boat tour with Ben. Fantastic experience. Ben a true local who gave us so much interesting history on the area , topped off great day by doing jet boat spins which the kids loved. Biscuits, hot drinks were so appreciated too. Recommend taking extra warm wind proof clothing even if weather forecast good.

Loved this trip, possibly the highlight of the kids school holidays. Untouched beauty, key boat trip felt like a trip through jurassic park. Or guide was entertaining and easy to trust, made cherished long term memories with the kids on this trip

What a fantastic spot! So peaceful! Beautiful rooms, fantastic hospitality- thanks Phil, Tash, Darryl and Murray our jet boat driver and guide. We couldn’t fault - a must visit spot.

What a great day. Thank you for the awesome guided tour. Enjoyed the cuppa and chocolate chip biscuits too. Very interesting history. Only two couples that day so we could have a personalised talk.

Sit back and relax as you jet boat up the Whanganui gorges. Followed by a walk through New Zealand history to the Bridge to Nowhere. You will be glad that you live in the twenty-first century. A walk back to the jet boat and then a return trip down the Wanganui River Pipiriki. Well worth the money. Thank you.

The Three Sisters and Elephant Rock at Clifton Road in Tongapōrutu offer a striking glimpse into New Zealand’s ever-changing coastal landscapes. These dramatic sea stacks, standing 25 meters tall, have been carved over millennia by the relentless Tasman Sea, with their forms shifting as erosion claims them piece by piece. Once part of a quartet of “sisters” at the turn of the century, only two remain today, alongside the remnants of Elephant Rock, which lost its trunk-like arch to a storm in 2016. The area’s dynamic geology means the formations might appear different with each visit, as waves and weather continue reshaping the cliffs and beaches. Accessing the site requires timing your visit with low tide, when the Tongapōrutu River mouth becomes crossable, allowing you to walk the black-sand beach and approach the towering rock pillars up close. Nearby caves hide a curious Māori rock drawing of a six-toed foot, adding a layer of cultural intrigue to the natural spectacle. For panoramic views, Pilot Road lookout north of the bridge provides a sweeping vantage point, while Clifton Road leads to the beachside trailhead. Sturdy footwear is essential for navigating the uneven terrain, and checking tide tables beforehand ensures safety against rapidly rising waters. The rugged beauty here is complemented by the region’s rich Māori heritage, with the formations regarded as taonga (treasures) symbolizing the deep connection between land and people. Visitors often linger to photograph the interplay of light on the cliffs during sunset or explore tidal pools teeming with marine life. Though parking is available near Clifton Road, facilities are minimal, so bringing supplies is wise. This site remains a testament to nature’s artistry—ephemeral yet awe-inspiring, inviting reflection on both the power of the elements and the impermanence of even the grandest geological wonders.

Always check the weather and the conditions before visiting. You wouldn’t want to drive all the way here on a high tide. We were fortunate to visit on a low tide in the afternoon. It’s about 10-15 mins walk from the car park, you mainly walk on the sand. Best to bring an appropriate footwear! I was more amazed of the Elephant Rock than the Three Sisters to be honest. The Elephant Rock indeed looked like its name. It was cool I was able to go under it. The Three Sisters was a nice landscape photo. We weren’t able to go closer since the waves were coming in. Definitely an interesting sight. They do have toilets by the car park. It’s a good place to rest.

SO BEAUTIFUL! BUT be sure to walk out at low tide, the mud is very slippery! Definitely worth the views from the beach. We came in the summer and winter, winter is definitely less crowded but this is an absolutely wonderful spot with caves and reflection black sand, great for photos!

Very nice walk along the beach from the car park. Be warned that initially moments onto the beach was quite slippery and muddy underfoot. Other than that it’s a nice walk along the sand to the three sisters and Elephant Rock. From the view point on the other side of the bay, you can also see the full coastline and the Summit of Mount Taranaki on a clear day.

Definitely worth a looksy. Very cool rock formations and caves. We arrived a little bit later than recommended for the tide, but chucked our togs on and went anyway. Wouldn't recommend going at any time other than low tide if you are a non swimmer. The mud underfoot is very slippery,so take your time, it is totally worth the view.

Very muddy to get there even at low tide! Have the right shoes and you will get to see stunning ocean landscape.

It’s beautiful and recommend checking the tide times to ensure you can walk to the rock and hole in the rock or to visit the viewpoint for the panoramic views. You can catch a glimpse of the rig at a distance too. Please and obey the signs and watch out for Petrels too.

Quite enjoyed our wand er around this village. The hospital was our favourite building. Well set up and gave a really good feeling as to how it would've been to work or be a patient there "back in the day"! The bumpy train ride was quite fun. Didn't take long - went around the track route twice. If you like museums, then you'll probably enjoy visiting Pioneer Village.

Found, a place that has a decent size coffee option in the form of a mug. Thank you for opening your large dinning area for us, awesome thinking.

What a great place. We really enjoyed stepping back in time. Had a ride on the train.

Awesome little museum just out of town. Looking back at the historic buildings and how people lived way back when. Lovely owners. Train ride was neat

Had such a great day here with the family. We arrived at 1, just missing the 1pm train ride, but it took a good 2 hours to go around the village looking at everything, and then we took the 3pm ride. The train ride was great - our small boys loved it ! There is plenty to do here - lots of heritage buildings and great detail about their histories. When we visited we were the only people in the entire park, so it was quite magical. I recommend that you allow at least 2-3 hours to check out everything in the village. Cost is very reasonable - I think we paid about $24 for two adults and two kids, including a train ride (two laps of the entire village). They have eftpos and a cafe, so no need to bring cash or food.

The cafe was closed, which was a disappointment. It's quite a good size but sadly needs money to do it up. I see it is slowly getting some tlc. Great for the younger generation to learn about.

What a great place for a visit. Take the kids or grandchildren they will love it. It's a look back in time. At 1.30 pm the train ride is available that is a great ride give it a try 😀. Easy for wheel chairs and toilets 🚻.

Situated behind the Glockenspiel. There are six of them and kept quite clean. An ideal spot to take a break since parking and eating places are within a stone's throw.

So cute

nice toilet. but not as nice as the talking toilet next to the worlds biggest carrot

Cold clinically convenient but could be cleaner

I recieved horrible customer service from Emma. I have gone as far as making a formal complaint. Rude and uninterested and condescending. I did have a better experience with another worker (Jane) but my interactions with Emma have left a sour note with me. I do not recommend this place at all and would go as far as traveling an extra 45 minutes to New Plymouth to not deal with such poor service again.

Very pleasant and helpful people. Auckland traveling in the regions often face local hostility or person and we had heard some on the trip. However, the visitor centre was very friendly and welcoming.

Great people and very helpful l nothing is any trouble to them and if they can't help they point you in the right direction

The lady working there gave us very good and clear information about ghe track to Taranaki. She was so sweet. She really took her time to explain everything about the track and the weatherconditions. She was so friendly!

Friendly helpful staff. Lovely environment with access to toilets an wifi etc.

Very nice in there staff were polite very helpfully great place

Gifts to buy for o/s or for Yr loved ones here in NZ, tickets to events, information or just call in for a browse & inspiration.

Whilst travelling home to Taranaki on the last day of school holidays Friday afternoon I found myself passing through Patea, remembering that they had added a new section to the museum I took the opportunity to visit and see what was on display, as I remembered the area before it was closed and enjoyed the old farm machinery, to my dismay the door into the new part was closed and black plastic had been taped over the door to the new exhibit, at least before I could look through the door but not now, I asked the lady on the desk could I see the exhibit and was told no it’s only for VIP’s or special occasions or if they had spear staff and was left standing there with nothing to add from her , my question, is this a staff, management or council directive and if council will this be how the new Hawera hub is to be run.

Very interesting museum with historical facts

Sweet little museum with some nice displays. Good way to learn about some of the region's history. It's small, so doesn't take long to walk through and glean as much info as you'd like. Also a small theater area to sit and watch a film if you like.

This is a brilliant museum for such a small town. Great displays and helpful staff. Well worth a visit.

Honestly very small, but beautifully displayed and very modern, loved the presentation. Nice for a short stop and to get a peek into local history.

Beautifully set-out small (but growing) museum with great displays. Appreciated welcoming ataff

Tidy little museum , blink and you will miss it. Good insight into local history of town, the people and the freezing works

It’s a beautiful park. There are enough things to do to keep you entertained. There’s a cafe you can relax after a nice walk around the park. There’s a buggy you can ride on for $5 per person and a gold coin donation for children, it takes you around the park effortlessly. There’s a fernery where you can see various of plants and flowers, free of entrance! It is a big park, you can definitely get those steps in easily. There’s a public toilet too. You can see different age groups hanging around. You can meet different dog breeds too as they take a stroll on the park with their owner. You can also find ducks waddling around. Parking may be a struggle though. Best to park your car at the park rather than at the entrance of the park! Oh and it’s also wheelchair friendly too!

This beautiful park is always an amazing place to visit no matter how many years you've been away from home, so many fond family memories 💜

A great park to spend some time with. Had a nice walk and lots of fun enjoying looking at the cutie ducklings.

Pukekura Park in New Plymouth is widely considered a jewel in New Zealand's horticultural crown, offering a truly diverse and engaging experience for all ages. Here's a comprehensive review: Overall Impression: Pukekura Park is a sprawling, meticulously maintained urban oasis that seamlessly blends formal gardens, native bush, open lawns, and recreational facilities. It's much more than just a park; it's a living canvas that changes with the seasons, offering something new to discover with every visit. Its beauty, tranquility, and variety make it a beloved spot for locals and a must-see for visitors to New Plymouth. Key Highlights: * Diverse Landscapes: The park boasts an impressive range of landscapes, from formal English-style gardens with vibrant annual bedding displays to dense native bush walks, tranquil fern grottos (the Fernery & Display Houses are a particular highlight), and serene lakes. This variety ensures there's always something visually appealing around every corner. * Iconic Features: * Lakes and Waterfalls: The series of artificial lakes, fed by natural streams, are central to the park's charm. You can rent traditional wooden rowboats (seasonal) for a peaceful paddle, and the picturesque waterfall (which lights up at night during the Festival of Lights) is a popular photo spot. * Poet's Bridge: This charming bridge is another favorite for photographers and adds to the park's romantic ambiance. * Bowl of Brooklands: A world-class natural amphitheater nestled within the park, the Bowl of Brooklands is famous for hosting major concerts, including the WOMAD festival, and is a key venue for the Festival of Lights. Its lakeside setting provides a unique and memorable concert experience. * Fernery & Display Houses: These partially sunken glass-topped grottos are a tropical haven, showcasing an extensive collection of native and exotic ferns and other plants. It's a fantastic place to escape the elements and immerse yourself in lush greenery. * Brooklands Zoo: A free, family-friendly zoo located within the park, home to a variety of animals, including farmyard animals, meerkats, and a walk-through aviary. It's a great bonus for families. * TSB Festival of Lights (Summer): This is arguably Pukekura Park's most famous event. From mid-December to late January, the park transforms into a magical wonderland with hundreds of dazzling light displays, live entertainment, and food vendors. It's a free event and a truly enchanting experience, especially for families. There's also a smaller "Winter Pop-Up" around Matariki. * Accessibility: The park is generally very accessible, with well-maintained paths suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. There are numerous entrances, allowing easy access from various parts of the city. * Free Entry: Pukekura Park (and Brooklands Zoo) is free to enter and enjoy year-round, making it an incredibly valuable community asset and an affordable attraction for tourists. * Wildlife: The park is home to a variety of birdlife, including ducks, shags, tui, and kereru (New Zealand wood pigeon), adding to the natural experience. Things to Consider: * Crowds during Festival of Lights: While magical, the Festival of Lights attracts large crowds, particularly on weekends and evenings. If you prefer a quieter experience, visit during the day or in the off-season. Tips for Visitors: * Allocate Time: Pukekura Park is expansive (52 hectares), so allow plenty of time to explore its various sections. You could easily spend half a day or more here. * Wear Comfortable Shoes: There are many paths to explore, so comfortable footwear is essential. * Pack a Picnic: The park offers numerous beautiful spots for a picnic. Alternatively, the Tea House on the Lake provides refreshments. * Check Event Listings: If you're visiting in summer, definitely check the dates for the TSB Festival of Lights and any concerts at the Bowl of Brooklands. * Visit the Fernery: Even if you're not a keen gardener, the Fernery is a unique and captivating experience.

Never get sick of visiting this park. I love it so much. Fortunate to see some of them magnificent rhododendrens still in flower.

Incredible park with everything one can dream of (bridges, tea room, free zoo, fernery).

Came here after our hike on the mountain and this was a very relaxing environment to be in. Surrounded by the sound of nature and the beauty of that waterfall was calming after a long day.

I didn’t know it was a free entrance which is very generous! You can donate to the zoo, though! It’s a nice small zoo. Some needed attention with the maintenance, especially where the otters are situated. The animals were sooo cute. Unfortunately, we were too late to meet the Capybara as they moved him to Wellington Zoo. We were so excited to see him. It was nice to be inside the aviary, most of the birds were sleeping perched up on the trees. It was super cute. It’s a nice place to visit with the kids, it’s for all ages though. Hope you can donate when you visit 😊

Great zoo, and it's free! The birds are amazing and we loved the meerkats. Hope they will bring the capybara back. Cool playground for the kids too. And we saw Ross the cat out the gate on the way back home!

Very nice Zoo with a great view of small to medium animals, plenty of carpark space but does have a time limit

Amazing cute little zoo. Donations recommended but free entry. No cappybara when we went sadly but tons of birds and monkeys

Possibly the best zoo that I have ever been to. No concerns for the animals. They are clearly loved. Walking through the bird enclosure is a special experience. A great place to bring the family, and set within one of the best parks in the country. Best of all it's free. Full marks to New Plymouth. Every time I visit, I want to move here. John Rothery 😎 (Tauranga)

A small but nice zoo, together with kids playground there, a nice place for some family fun time.

It's a small zoo but wonderful. I went with an 11 year old and an 8 year old and they had a blast. We spoke at length with two of the keepers and they were both very happy to answer all the questions the children asked which made the visit so much better.

A must visit Tawhiti Museum in Hawera is a hidden gem that brings Taranaki’s history to life through stunning handcrafted dioramas and life-size figures. Created by artist Nigel Ogle, the detail is extraordinary—each scene feels immersive and personal. Highlights include the Trader & Whalers boat ride, the bush railway, and a vast collection of vintage farm machinery. It’s engaging for all ages, and well worth the visit. Plan for 2–3 hours to take it all in.

After about 5 hours wandering through the amazing museum the Badgers Cafe just had to be the next stop for food and drink. Lovely peaceful experience, great food and service. I would recommend that anybody travelling through Taranaki should not miss this wonderful experience.

A nice museum, consider that you will need around and hour to finish, maybe a little bit more.

Fascinating place! So much interesting local history to learn and the dioramas are amazing. I particularly found the Maori wars, the Adventures of Kimble Bent, and the butcher shop a real eye opener as I’ve visited several museums during my visit around New Zealand and none were as visual and detailed as this or shared such perspectives. Can’t believe Tawhiti Museum was all Nigel’s creation and vision (also with the help and support of the local towns people)- we had a chance to meet him in the gift shop and had a nice chat about his displays. You will need a few hours of exploration here as it’s very educational for young and old!- I believe this could be because of Nigel’s influence as a teacher in the past and his passion for history. We didn’t have time to take the rides but if you can, consider atleast one ride during your visit. Also, Mr Badger’s Cafe is a nice spot to pop in and enjoy some homemade snacks, coffee and tea out in the garden. Indoor seating is also available) :) - the little Wind in the Willows dioramas in the cafe are adorable! Ample parking infront of the museum, but drive slowly as you get closer to the place because the signage isn’t very big or obvious and it’s kind of a little hidden with the landscaping (see photo).

We went here unsure what to expect and really enjoyed our visit. The displays are put together with so much care and detail. Walking around felt like being transported to a different time and age. Friendly staff. Highly recommended for both adults and kids.

Such an enjoyable museum. Keep your day open you going to need all the hours you can get for this experience. Great for young and old. Great coffee shop, dioramas are spectacular, all done by one artist. It's truly worth it.

Wonderful experience, fantastic exhibits and immaculate presentation. 3 and a half hours with a quick lunch in the Cafe was not long enough! The Traders and Whalers boat ride was also fascinating and informative.

There was a lot of information on the surrounding area especially around the Mt, the eruptions and how the land was formed, and the different soils/ rocks that now make up the area. Another section was about the old days, what this area is known for and famous things and people from here. It was very informative and interesting

Superb service in research section. Prepare questions ahead to get what you want. Parking $3 an hour under the wind wand.

Kudos to the Government of New Zealand for keeping this landmark institution updated . One has ample time to learn and discover the hard work by the New Zealanders striving for excellence at all times . A must visit ! Especially the younger generation can learn its history of scientific efforts to conserve and preserve nature and learn from it . There is an old saying Nature doesn’t need us we need it so watch and be conscious what you are doing !

Amazing museum this is a great place for all ages and on a rainy day. Free admission for everyone. The front entrance is not in use, you will need to enter from the side entrance which is not all that obvious. Located right near the beach/sea. Walking distance from the centre city mall in town. Kids are welcome to do the scavenger hunt and get cute stamps.

Puke Ariki is an incredibly informative and engaging museum that's a delight to explore. Inside, you'll find Te Takapou Whariki o Taranaki, an exhibit showcasing Māori culture—though photography isn’t allowed, it's a deeply enriching experience. The museum also features Taranaki Life, an insightful exhibit about the region's heritage. During our visit, there was an intriguing exhibition about the moon, which added to the experience. There’s also an i-SITE within the museum, making it a convenient stop for travel information. A must-visit for anyone exploring Taranaki!

Interesting museum covering marine life and Maori culture and displays worth a visit

We had so much fun in Puke Ariki. Small but very informative about the history of New Plymouth and lives of new migrants. Also fun facts about brown Kiwi and reefs project are very interesting. This is the Free entry. Overall, great place for family to visit - as indoors activity.

Went here on a rainy morning. For visitors it’s $15 each which is not bad. The exhibition was about Maori and Polynesian with their weaving and other stories to tell. The two lovely ladies were really accomodating and did a great job with explaining the art and story behind it. They also went beyond just that, expressing their opinions and views and really striking a conversation. I guess this is what art is about, it’s more than just the visuals. The place is spacious and well managed.

Small but mighty art gallery, very chill and feels great to be there, easily spend an hour or more. great place to visit especially on a rainy day. Located right in the centre of the town, next to the white hart hotel and a short walk from the centre city mall. Great interactive art work and craft areas for both the young and not so young. None New Plymouth residence will be charged a $15 admission. Super friendly staff, always keen to walk you through the art work, tell you about the artists, and discuss observations. Great experience, highly recommend.

2024: My gosh, that is one shiny building. One of the more striking buildings I've seen in NZ, which steals the spotlight from the exhibitions, as they pale in comparison. Most of the interior was rather empty, I guess with the focus on negative space..? The main art is the architecture.

The exhibition was of island weaving and print's, there was another exhibition too. It was very interesting to see up close these natural beautiful mats, hangings and the detailing. 7 ladies , took 7 months to create one hanging 😍

I do very much like the design of this building, it's very impressive. Staff are friendly and helpful. There are a few intresting galleries but not a huge amount and it doesn't take long to go through them ☺️

Not my cup of tea at all. This art gallery is a large building with a very small number of objects or pictures within a great deal of space. The objects and pictures weren’t even particularly interesting but maybe I’m not “cultured” enough to appreciate them. The museum down the road is far better.

A good Gallery to take some photos of both the Gallery itself And the exhibitions. A center to experience some very modern artifacts. Some of the areas were closed when I visited.so it seems quite small.

One of the most beautiful and quirky walks we've done at New Years. The coast views, happy campers, little cafe nooks every km it seems, and the gorgeous bridge at the end. Outstanding!

New Plymouth Coastal Walkway. The sea, a boundless expanse of deep sapphire, stretched to the horizon, its surface a constant, rhythmic conversation with the shore. The salty tang of the ocean air invigorated the senses, a stark contrast to the gentle sweetness of the lake. The path, a ribbon of concrete, led us to the iconic Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, a structure of breathtaking, skeletal grace. It stood against the sky like the fossilized spine of a mythical creature, its white arches a stunning counterpoint to the wild green landscape and the deep blue sea. Walking across it felt like stepping into a work of art, a bridge between the natural world and human ingenuity.

The award-winning Coastal Walkway is a 13.2km path that forms an expansive sea-edge promenade stretching from Pioneer Park at Port Taranaki all the way to the eastern side of Bell Block Beach. Distance: The Coastal Walkway is 13.2km from Port Taranaki to the eastern end side of Bell Block Beach. Sections of the Walkway Port to the Wind Wand: 3.4km Wind Wand to Te Rewa Rewa Bridge: 4.5km Te Rewa Rewa Bridge to Tiromoana Cresent, Bell Block: 4.8km Grade: Easy. The walkway is paved, with some gentle slopes. It is excellent for walking, running, cycling, skateboarding, skating and scooting. Most people would be able to walk 4-6km/hr on the Coastal Walkway. Access points: There are numerous access points along the Walkway with car parking available in several places. Use the Coastal Walkway map to find entrances to the walkway, available car parking and other facilities.

Nice wide walk way for bike riders and walkers water fountains along the way and benches good sea views

A nice early afternoon walk on the Coastal Walkway to the iconic Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, nice and easy to enjoy the walk with families and friends.

Amazing, we cycled this 22+ km flat ride and it was fantastic. The white bridge is a great photo opportunity on many levels Loved the whole experience.

A Sensational Day by the Sea After walking today along New Plymouth's Coastal Walkway, you likely feel invigorated and refreshed. The rhythmic sound of the ocean waves, the panoramic views of the endless horizon, and the sensation of the wind and seaspray on your face create a memorable experience. The Coastal Walkway, with its well-paved path and gentle slopes, offers an easy and enjoyable journey, perfect for walking, running, cycling, or even skateboarding. The picturesque Te Rewa Rewa Bridge adds a distinctive charm to the 13.2-kilometer route, connecting Port Taranaki to Bell Block Beach. The easy accessibility and available parking make it convenient for anyone to explore this award-winning sea-edge promenade, leaving you with a sense of tranquility and connection to nature.

Access update - Visitor Center has moved two blocks away from the water tower, so getting access to the tower has changed. Interesting shape for a water tower; I initially thought it was a medieval castle tower. Interesting history to its construction as per info board on the entrance door.

Cool history and an amazing view. Got some cool pictures of my kids at the top. The one's not afraid of heights. Definitely a must see.

Unfortunately, it is temporarily closed, so we didn’t go up to see the view but we took some photos

Great experience to do! Check in at the i-site and go up for $2.50. Stairs are narrow and steep so keep that in mind!

Tower closed to the Public and you can't access anymore.

Well worth the $ we paid, and got a fitness workout climbing the internal stairs. The reward for your efforts is a great place for viewing the surrounding countryside. Funky original key that unlocks the door at the bottom. Information boards tell of the history of the tower & area surrounding.

great view from the top, windy though. Go in a still, sunny day.

Beautiful grounds. The walking trails are not well signed just something to be mindful of. Popular spot you’ll come across a few others walking but plenty of parking and not over crowded by any means.

Really nice little park. Amazing playground, and lots of benches for eating at. They're a little dirty though, so if you're planning to have a picnic remember to bring a cloth to wipe down the table. There's also an old lake that currently has no water in it. An old Japanese garden also exists. It's currently not accessible but you can see pretty much all of it over the short walls around the outside

Such a nice park. Its located within 5 mins drive of Hawera CBD. Was full of parents, kids and small dog walkers. Has a substantial kids play area, full of different types of equipment for them to have fun on, a duck pond, and large stunning garden areas to walk through with plenty of benches to stop and just relax and enjoy the views. Only detraction was the large unused pool area and closed Chinese garden area.

Stunning gardens and pond. Ducks are just adorable. Must see. Playground is just awesome.

Excellent playground with many different options for different ages Beautiful walking paths around Public toilets were in good condition

Love love this park, go every chance, to see the beautiful flowers,and monarch butterflys cluster on the trees,so a rare chance to see this, and even a great playground for kids..

This park is well worth a visit,so many things to see and do…a credit to the gardeners