Waitara, Bell Block

WAITARA

Waitara’s most impressive feature is the mighty Waitara River which cuts a formidable path through the heart of this historical town. Located 15km northeast of New Plymouth and home to over 6,000 people, it is the largest town in North Taranaki. The banks of the Waitara River hosted a significant battle during the Taranaki Land Wars of the 1860s which involved over 2,000 men. In present times, Waitara is now known as the energy hub of the region with the giant Methanex plant sitting on its outskirts which produces export methanol.

BELL BLOCK

Bell Block sits on the fringe of New Plymouth, situated just north of the city. Named after its purchaser, Francis Dillon Bell, who bought the 15,000 acre site off local Ma -ori in 1848, the 4,000 strong beachfront residential town is now also an industrial hub for the Taranaki region.

MUST DO EXPERIENCES INCLUDE:

• Take a walk along the Waitara West

Walkway which hugs the banks of the

Waitara River and still features scars from the Taranaki Land Wars. • Ride the rails from Waitara to Lepperton on the Waitara Branch Line, Taranaki’s first ever railway line. Ph 06 754 4973 www.waitararailwaypres.tripod.com • Christmas shop early at Taranaki’s iconic

The Christmas Village. Address 63 Egmont

Rd, Bell Block (two minutes from Palmers

Garden Centre). Ph 06 755 1934 www.thechristmasvillage.co.nz • Clematis lovers should not pass through

Waitara without visiting Yaku Nursery, with over 40 years’ experience growing clematis.

Address 278 Tikorangi Rd. Ph 06 754 4500. • Mud Bay Café is a friendly country café located in the seaside village of

Urenui. Enjoy a bite in the café’s unique atmosphere, where the high pitched ceilings, wooden beams and internal timber linings exude a warm and welcoming ambience. Address 18 Ngakoti St, Urenui.

Ph 06 752 3881. • Walk over the Bertrand Road suspension bridge that crosses the Waitara River, linking Huirangi, near Lepperton and

Tikorangi. The original bridge was built in 1897, and rebuilt in 1927 after damage was caused by flooding (using an adapted form of the original design).

367 Corbett Rd, New Plymouth Ann & Vince Naus

This peaceful, large and diverse garden was begun in 2003 around a restored and relocated 100-year-old villa. Ann and Vince, owners of Big Jim’s garden centre, have used many different ideas and vistas. These include a perennial border, woodland garden, a maple walk and a boardwalk to the river using native plants. Off-road parking available. Buses by arrangement.

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Open 9am – 5pm, admission 1 ticket or $5pp (proceeds to Alzheimer’s Taranaki) Ph 06 755 2205, email ann.vin@xtra.co.nz

Open: 10 to 5pm, admission 1 ticket or $5pp Ph 06 755 1597, email info@kairaulodge.co.nz

24. Kairau Lodge and Vineyard

48 Kairau Rd West, off SH3A, Brixton Jocelyn & Colin Clarke

A peacefully diverse garden that has a formal rose, knot, fleur-de-lis and zen gardens with a boutique vineyard surrounded by mature trees and spacious lawns. Morris Dancers perform Sunday Oct 29th at 2pm. Our own Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc wine available for tasting and purchase. (Adjacent to Waiongana)

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74 Kairau Rd West, Waitara John Wilmshurst & Diana Montgomery

Inspired by the formality of traditional European garden design, John and Diana are in their ninth year of developing an ambitious garden on their four-hectare block beside the Waiongana River. The flat terrain has enabled them to use a design of intersecting axis, which, leads the garden visitor to explore the easy walking avenues. Herbaceous paeonies flower during the festival. Turn off Mountain Rd SH3A to access Kairau Rd West. NZ House & Garden June edition 2017

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Open 9am - 5pm, admission 1 ticket or $5pp Ph 06 755 0770, email johndianaw@gmail.com

6 Mahoetahi Rd, Waitara Vance & Kathryn Hooper

A hidden gem within a magical setting, just off SH3. Over 12 years Vance and Kathryn have developed this tranquil and picturesque garden creating a diverse combination of natural and formal plantings. Features include a magnolia collection, a magnolia maze, bee garden and viewing hive and a Mediterranean theme of succulents and cacti. Paths flow with the natural contours as you explore the garden. A must see with rare and unusual plants for sale.

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Open 9am - 5pm, admission 1 ticket or $5pp Ph 06 754 7657, www.magnoliagrove.co.nz

87 Princess St, Waitara Alathea & Bill Armstrong

Alathea has a passion for the English cottage garden style in her large town garden. Herbaceous borders are full of spring colour and fragrance, featuring a large range of perennials and annuals. Some are new and unusual sitting amongst traditional favourites. Roses in abundance add scent and colour to this charming cottage garden. Flat easy walking, picnickers welcome. Roadside parking. Last chance to view!

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Open 9am - 5pm, admission 1 ticket or $5pp Ph 06 754 7830

2 Joll St, Waitara Maurice & Ann Crackett

A young and immaculate award-winning garden with an amazing variety of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, fruits and vegetables. The garden is entirely flat, and is a wonderful example of what can be done in a short space of time with vision and expertise. Added attractions include the house conservatory. Easy coach and car parking. Complimentary tea & coffee.

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Open 9am – 5pm, admission 1 ticket or $5pp Ph 027 250 9181 or 021 0248 5840