Taranaki and Wanganui seem little visited places in New Zealand, yet very beautiful I've heard, with two national parks. Has anyone been there recently? What were there thoughts? Would they recommend a visit and what would they do? I have visited other areas of New Zealand and would like to see something new.

We spent the night in Wanganui in April 2004, but we were wiped out after surviving the Akatawara Road between Upper Hutt and Waikanae, so all we did was get some takeaway and veg in our hotel room.

The next day we drove to Taranaki and did a bit of hiking there. It was misty and drizzling, and just gorgeous. The forest we hiked through was jungly and mossy; it felt a bit like Tolkien's description of Fangorn Forest.

We spent the night at The Missing Leg backpackers just outside Egmont Village, and left the next day for Waitomo.

Lee Ann

Thanks Lee Ann,
Good to read of someone enjoying themselves despite the weather. Mt Taranaki sounds like an interesting place, plus good cafes and places in the surrounding towns.

Both are worth visiting and there is a great road from Te Kuiti (south of Hamilton) to New Plymouth or take the "Forgotten Highway" from Taumaranui to Stratford. New Plymouth has an excellent boardwalk, great drive south to Wanganui around the mountain. Wanganui is very historic, lots of local artists, paddle cruise on the river. Cafes: Indigo, Ceramic cnr Victoria/Ridgeway
Red Eye, 96 Guyton St, sarjeant gallery...etc

There's a good small museum in Wanganui - worth visiting.