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Taranaki has been known since pioneering times as "the Garden of NZ" with it's rich volcanic soils and an equable climate blessed with both high sunshine hours and regular rainfall, gardners have found that it is possible to grow a huge range of plants in the temperate often sub-tropical conditions.
Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust has bloomed into a world renowned garden boasting 10,000 rhododendrons, including 500 of the 800 known species, as well as 1500 hybrids. With a myriad of flowers, including hydrangeas, hostas, daphnes, camellias, azaleas, roses and magnolias, dozens of public and private gardens have something to share year-round. Thousands descend on the province during the Rhododendron Festival every October/November, when many private gardens are also open. Taranaki has 7 Gardens of National Significance and 1 of Regional Significance, putting it at the forefront of the garden sector in New Zealand.  New Plymouth lights up from mid December to early February every summer, when 18,000 hidden coloured lights illuminate 25 hectares of native bush in Pukekura Park's "Festival of Lights". The neighbouring Bowl of Brooklands, a natural amphitheatre, hosts a number of outdoor concerts. And every town prides itself on well-kept public parks and gardens.
In a country where mountains loiter in clumps, Mt Taranaki stands alone. Beautifully. Like someone has pinched the fertile plains between thumb and forefinger to pitch a near perfect 2518-metre high cone. We call it The Mountain. It's only when we leave the province we call it Mt Taranaki - or Mt Egmont. Although the Egmont National Park is New Zealand's most accessible and third smallest (now 33,500-hectares), it has claimed 60 lives - more than any other national park. The 200,000 annual visitors to Taranaki's biggest playground should remember that despite its tranquil appearance, it is still a wild place. Don't be tempted to wander off on a hot summer day in just a pair of shorts and T-shirt because this mountain can drop several degrees and start raining and/or snowing at the drop of a hat. From Dawson Falls (850-metres above sea level), there's a maze of walks on offer, but perhaps the most popular is to Wilkies Pools, a series of eroded rock pools connected with gentle waterfalls. East Egmont (845-metres), accessed through Stratford, offers the mountain skifield as well as the short Kamahi walk through the Goblin Forest, with branches bearded in grey-green moss. North Egmont's (960-metres) seven metres of rainfall for the last two years makes it the wettest place in New Zealand. That means wetter than Milford Sound. But it is also a lot less populated than Milford Sound, making it an ideal base for wilderness walks. Lucy's Gully offers a fabulous picnic area among gigantic redwoods and access into the Kaitake Range. |
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Copyright © Venture Taranaki Trust |
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