If there is one region of New Zealand I have grown to love in recent years it’s Taranaki. Sitting out on a limb, it’s gorgeous landscapes, native bush, rock formations and stunning coastline are often overlooked by tourists.
I renewed my acquaintance with the area some five or six years back and have been returning annually ever since. Of course, I love the many well-known attractions such as:
- Puke Ariki library, museum and research centre down on the foreshore. Plenty to see there and it has the best ever information centre and shop
- The White Sails Gallery (and several fine restaurants) along The Breakwater beyond the port,
- The shimmering Len Lye Museum (an international destination for experimental film and kinetic art) and the adjacent Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.
- The Coastal Walkway stretching 13.2 kilometre from the Port along the foreshore all the way to the eastern side of Bell Block Beach. Bike or walk part or all of the way and you will pass other attractions including:
- The Te Rewa Rewa bridge, designed to look like a whale’s rib cage and spine and positioned to provide a unique view of towering Mt Taranaki on a clear day.
These are all well-known so it’s exciting to discover something new and this summer it was the Taranaki Taste map.
As a long-time foodie, who in a past life regularly wrote about eating out, this simple, unassuming guide took my fancy.
No glossy pics or rave reviews, it simply shows numbered locations on a rudimentary map and lists each venue by number with a brief explanation of what visitors will find there plus opening hours – short and sweet.
In all, 19 intriguing venues from butcheries, to breweries, coffee roasters to cheese bars plus bread, wine and probably a bit of song once you’ve tried the gin and craft beers which are on offer, leaving just one thing to say and that’s, “Wow, I’m up for this.”
With a multitude of in-store tastes delivered by friendly vendors and clever crafters between Hawera and Mokau, this food trail is a pick and mix gem.
I found my map at the Novotel Hotel where I stayed (and very good it was, too). However, I only spotted it on my last day so managed to visit just two venues when travelling northwards home – thumbs up to Billow Bakery in the heart of New Plymouth (oh my, their sourdough bread is so yummy) and Bratwurst Bros in Mokau (I do love good German sausages).
On the other hand, when I go back later this year there will be 17 more places to explore – yippee!
