Western North Island

Hikers are drawn to climb the mountain, or walk the 5 day circuit around its lower slopes. Directly to the east, and visible in clear weather are the distant peaks of Tongariro National Park and the twin volcano of Ruapehu, which erupted in 1995 and 1996 and also provide excellent opportunities for outdoor activities.

At the foot of Taranaki, the modern and prosperous port of New Plymouth competes with the larger city of Wanganui further south, which is justly proud of its Victorian and Edwardian heritage. The mighty river bearing the same name was once the main ‘highway’ inland, and the city has a museum dedicated to the paddle steamers that used to haul people and goods up and down river. Today river trips up the Whanganui provide the easiest access to a vast region of untouched forest, where the poignant ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ is a reminder of the pioneers’ struggle with nature.

Palmerston North is a university town and proud of its cultural attractions, which include theatres and museums, among them the Rugby Museum, full of sporting memorabilia. The All Blacks’ training ground is in the town.