Name: Taranaki Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia
Uploaded: 2017-10-11T15:02:27.000Z
Duration: 5 min 41 s
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Taranaki is a region on the west coast of New Zealand’s north island,

about a five- hour drive south of Auckland.

It is named after the dramatic volcanic mountain

and known for its spectacular landscapes,

Set against a canvas of endless hiking tracks,

pristine surf breaks and world-class skiing,

Taranaki is a region where nature and creativity are intimately entwined.

It’s in the art trails and festivals peppered throughout the region.

It’s even in the bridges and on the wind.

New Plymouth, Taranaki’s main city, has a huge stature

in the world of contemporary art despite its humble size.

Start your adventures at the arresting Len Lye Centre

and the adjoining Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.

Len Lye was a maverick kinetic sculptor and experimental film maker

whose work is now deeply embedded in the town’s identity.

Wander to the waterfront and take a look at his famous work,

a 157 foot kinetic sculpture that changes with the weather.

a promenade that links the town centre to many of its beautiful parks

and black sand beaches such as Fitzroy and East End.

Art meets nature again at the Te Rewa Rewa bridge.

This award winning bridge spans the Waiwhakaiho River

and evokes the power of an enormous wave.

No matter where  you are in New Plymouth,

a constant reminder of how richly this region has been blessed by nature.

Make the climb to the top of Paritutu Rock,

or discover a rich diversity of marine life

at the Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Reserve.

At Pukekura Park, right in the heart of the city,

light itself becomes the artist as it reflects off the lakes.

If you are visiting don’t miss the festival of lights

In 1956, a natural amphitheatre was converted into the Bowl of Brooklands

which has been one of New Zealand’s finest concert venues ever since.

It is also home to the world famous WOMAD festival,

This bridge was named not after a local poet as the name suggests

but after a racehorse whose winnings provided the funds to build it.

Conservation and a deep respect for the past is also evident

in the many museums throughout New Plymouth,

Explore the interactive exhibits and an ever-changing program of events

No visit to Taranaki is complete without getting close

to the powerful presence that stands at the heart of the entire region.

Follow Surf Highway 45 to the Egmont National Park

On the westernmost point of the Taranaki coast stands

Cape Egmont Lighthouse which has been protecting ships from

a magnet for those who love hiking and riding.

The series of picture-perfect surf breaks along the coast

lead to the dramatic rock formations known as the Three Sisters and Elephant Rock.

but the sea is slowly reclaiming these natural sculptures one at a time.

It is sometimes said, that great art picks up where nature ends.

The longer you spend in Taranaki, with its spectacular scenery,

powerful artistic legacy and epic outdoor adventures,

the more you realise that the two are so closely linked

it is sometimes impossible to tell the difference.