STARS ABOVE SOUTHLAND

With glorious gardens, arts, culture, craft beer, and fitness, there really is an event for everyone in Taranaki. From families to a couples getaway, why not take advantage of the many must-see experiences and events upcoming in Taranaki? With a quick 90-minute direct flight to New Plymouth and a stacked events line-up on offer in NZ’s sunniest region, now is the time to plan your ultimate escape to Taranaki. Come for the arts, culture, or gardens, and stay for the picture-perfect scenery, decadent dining, and fascinating local history.

With everything from family-friendly beachfront offerings to extravagant boutique establishments, you’ll be sure to rest your head in peace and comfort. Belt Road Seaside Holiday Park offers an abode for all budgets, including the exclusive deluxe waterfront suite with outdoor bathtub. Unwind in solitude at Ahu Ahu Beach Villas or Tairoa Lodge, or treat yourself to luxury at King and Queen Hotel Suites or Platinum Lodge. Whether you’re staying for one night or for the whole festival, there’s a room in Taranaki with your name on it.

You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to filling your puku. There is an abundance of cafés, restaurants, bars, and eateries right around the maunga. Taranaki is a foodie’s haven, and it’s not uncommon to find paddock-to-plate style menus, hearty gastronomic dishes, and locallymade produce featured. The Burnt Place in Hāwera is a must-do, or take in the beachfront views at Black Sands Pizzeria in Ōakura. Three Sisters Brewery on Devon St in New Plymouth has both craft beer and a tasty bar menu.

With beautiful gardens, bountiful native bush tracks, and spectacular coastal scenery, your camera will fill up quickly with picture-perfect holiday snaps. World-recognised Tūpare garden recently earned NZ Gardens Trust’s highest six-star rating, whereas Pukeiti garden hosts one of the world’s largest collections of rhododendrons and other exotics. Explore the Whitecliffs Walkway and find yourself staring in awe at the Three Sisters rock formations. Or meander the Ōpunakē Loop Trail and discover the secret garden and artsy mosaic couches. Grab a ticket to one of the many great events coming up, and bring the kids along too. There is plenty to do to keep the kids happy, with many of the activities free of charge. With indoor and outdoor options and with offerings suitable to all ages, there won’t be any complaints. Challenge the family to a downhill race at The Hideaway luge, or get close to the animals at Brooklands Zoo. Take on the laser tag arena at Bowlarama, or burn off some energy at the epic playground at Hollard Garden.

Everywhere you turn in Taranaki, you’re immersed in local history. Discover more at Puke Ariki or Aotea Utanganui museums, or pair the experience of Tawhiti Museum and Traders & Whalers with a boat tour from Chaddy’s Charters. The tour heads out of the New Plymouth port and into the Tasman Sea, around the Sugar Loaf Islands, with the captain offering commentary on the local history. Then drive an hour south to Tawhiti Museum to see the stories you’ve just heard about brought to life with life-size and scale-model displays.

1–2 July Inaugural Taranaki Beer Festival 9–10 July SPEAKEASY Literary Festival 28 October–6 November

Taranaki Arts Trail

Ōakura Arts Trail

Taranaki Garden Festival

Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival

Sustainable Backyards Trail 10–20 November Speigel Fest 19–20 November Coastal 5 26–27 November NZ Tattoo & Art Festival 30December UB40 at the Bowl of Brooklands

taranaki.co.nz/visit

Breathe in and feel the exhilaration grow as your eyes adjust to the darkness. Above you, an endless canvas of stars is splattered across the sky as your Southland stargazing experience bursts into full celestial bloom. You might even get a front-row seat for the greatest natural light show on Earth, the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights, as they are more commonly known. The Land of the Glowing Skies is waiting for you — what are you waiting for?

Rakiura Stewart Island’s beauty and remoteness mean it is virtually free of light pollution, making the island night sky experience among the best on Earth. The name Rakiura, often translated as ‘glowing skies’, refers to the story of Māori Chief Te Rakitāmau. It is said the red skies of Rakiura reflect the blushing embarrassment of Te Rakitāmau after a marriage proposal was declined. In 2019, the island was recognised globally as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. As the second island but southern-most Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world, it offers one of the darkest locations to view the night sky.

While the Northern Lights are well known worldwide and are often on people’s bucket lists, its Southern counterpart, the Aurora Australis, is no less spectacular. This natural phenomenon lights up the sky with ribbons of pink, red, and green light. Southland’s dark winter nights make for the best conditions to take to the night sky to spot the Aurora Australis. While difficult to predict this glowing occurrence, the best time to catch these amazing skies is between April and September, and the optimal conditions are when the sky is clear with little or no moon.