Elephant Rock and The Three Sisters of which only two are now left standing, the third has been claimed by the sea. I did not know about this feature of the Taranaki coast but passed it on the way to go hiking at Mount Taranaki. Since it was low tide tide I could walk out to see them. I will need to return with a tripod in better light to do the spot justice.

Getty Images

Taranaki & Whanganui

Halfway between Auckland and Wellington on New Zealand's underappreciated west coast, Taranaki (aka 'the 'Naki') is the country's Texas, with oil and gas streaming in from offshore rigs. But in New Plymouth free galleries, a provincial museum and dining hot spots attract young families and retirees from Auckland craving a slower pace without compromising lifestyle. Travellers are following suit.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre
New Plymouth
This two-headed artistic beast is arguably NZ's best regional art gallery, presenting contemporary – and often experimental and provocative – local and…
Whanganui Regional Museum
Whanganui
Spend an hour or two in one of NZ’s better natural history museums. Te Atihaunui-a-Pāpārange Māori exhibits include an amazing waka (canoe), …
KD's Elvis Presley Museum
Taranaki & Whanganui
Elvis lives! At least he does at Kevin D Wasley's astonishing museum, which houses more than 10,000 of the King’s records and a mind-blowing collection of…
Pukekura Park
New Plymouth
Lush Pukekura has 49 hectares of gardens, playgrounds, trails, streams, waterfalls, ponds and display houses. In summer, rowboats (per half-hour $15)…
Puke Ariki
New Plymouth
Translating as ‘Hill of Chiefs’, Puke Ariki was once a pā (fortified village) site, and is now home to the i-SITE, a fab regional museum, a library, a…
New Zealand Rugby Museum
Palmerston North
Fans of the oval ball holler about the New Zealand Rugby Museum, an amazing space overflowing with rugby paraphernalia, from a 1905 All Blacks jumper to a…
He Ara Kotahi Bridge
Palmerston North
Palmerston's North's iconic new landmark is this elegant 194m-long bridge over the Manawatu River – a critical link in a 9km network of cycling and…
Sarjeant on the Quay
Whanganui
The elegant old neoclassical Sarjeant Gallery building in Queens Park is closed for earthquake-proofing. In the interim, the gallery's estimable art…

View more attractions

Articles

Latest stories from Taranaki & Whanganui

Filter by interest:

History

New Zealand's Mount Taranaki granted 'living person' status

Jun 14, 2018 • 2 min read

When it comes to indigenous reconciliation, New Zealand has long been far ahead of most colonial countries. And now, in recognition of its hallowed Māori…