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Craters of the Moon MTB Park
For a good selection of exciting off-road mountain-biking options, head to the Craters of the Moon MTB Park, around 10 minutes drive north of Taupo in the Wairakei Forest. Dont forget to arrange a temporary membership with Bike Taupo before heading up there. The bike shops in town
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South Canterbury Museum
Historic and natural artefacts of the region are displayed here. Highlights include the Māori section and a replica of the aeroplane designed and flown by local pioneer aviator and inventor Richard Pearse. Its speculated that his mildly successful attempts at flight came before the
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Dargaville Museum
The hilltop Dargaville Museum is more interesting than most regional museums. There’s a large gumdigging display, plus maritime, Māori and musical-instrument sections, and a neat model railway. Outside, the masts of the Rainbow Warrior are mounted at a lookout near a pa site, and t
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Fairlie Heritage Museum
A somewhat dusty window on to rural New Zealand of old, this museum endears with its farm machinery, model aeroplanes, dodgy dioramas and the generally random. Highlights include the home-spun gyrocopter, historic cottage, and new automotive wing featuring mint-condition tractors.
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Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Park
A refuge for sea birds and over 400 NZ fur seals, these rugged islets (Ngā Motu in Māori) are eroded volcanic remnants, 1km offshore. Most seals come here from June to October but some stay all year round. Learn more about the marine park at the tiny interpretation booth on the Lee
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Butler Point Whaling Museum
At Hihi, 15km northeast of Mangonui, is this small private museum and Victorian homestead (1843) set in lovely gardens. Its first owner, Captain Butler, left Dorset when he was 14 and at 24 was captain of a whaling ship. He settled here in 1839, had 13 children and became a trader,
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Black Estate
The sharpest of Waiparas wineries architecturally, this striking black barn overlooking the valley is home to some excellent wine, and food that champions local producers (mains $25 to $40). As well as the regions common cool-climate wines, look out for their interesting pinot/char
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Bluff Hill
A steep sealed road leads up to the top of 265m Bluff Hill (Motupōhue), where a path spirals up to a lookout. If the wind isnt threatening to sweep you off your feet, stop to read the information panels along the way. Various walking tracks head up here, including the Foveaux Walkw
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Bridge to Nowhere
Standing in mute testimony to the optimism of the early settlers is the Bridge to Nowhere, built in 1936. The lonesome bridge – once part of a long-lost 4.5m-wide roadway from Raetihi to the river – is on the Mangapurua Track. Alternatively, its a 40-minute walk from Mangapurua Lan
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Opotiki Museum
Run by volunteers, Opotikis excellent museum has interesting heritage displays including Māori taonga (treasures), militaria, re-created shopfronts (a barber, carpenter, printer…), and agricultural items including tractors and a horse-drawn wagon. Admission to the adjacent Shalfoon
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Stonyridge
Waihekes most famous vineyard is home to world-famous reds, an atmospheric cafe, tours ($10 including tastings of two wines, 30 minutes, 11.30am Saturday and Sunday) and the occasional dance party. We thoroughly recommend ordering a bottle and one of the gigantic deli platters and
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Mitchell’s Gully Gold Mine
For a true taste of the region’s gold-mining past (with the odd trap-door spider), swing into Mitchell’s Gully Gold Mine, 22km south of Westport, where youll meet a pioneers descendants and explore the family mine. There are interesting tales, tunnels, railway tracks, a waterwheel
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Te Hikoi Southern Journey
This cracker little museum relates local stories in clever and inspiring ways, starting off with an interesting 16-minute film. Oh, that all small-town museums could be this good! Inside you will also find the Riverton Visitor Information Centre, which can assist with maps and heri
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Hawera Water Tower
The austere, 54.21m Hawera Water Tower is one of the coolest things in Hawera. Grab the key from the neighbouring i-SITE , ascend the 215 steps, then scan the horizon for signs of life (you can see the coast and Mt Taranaki on a clear day). The tower was closed for earthquake-proof
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Raurimu Spiral
The Raurimu Spiral, 30km south of town, is a unique feat of railway engineering that was completed in 1908 after 10 years work. Rail buffs can experience the spiral by catching the Northern Explorer train linking Auckland and Wellington to National Park township. Unfortunately as o
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Whangarei Quarry Gardens
Green-fingered volunteers have transformed this old quarry into a blissful park with a lake, waterfalls, pungent floral aromas, wild bits, orderly bits and lots of positive energy. To get here, take Rust Ave, turn right into Western Hills Dr and then left into Russell Rd. A flash n
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Waiheke Island Artworks
The Artworks complex houses the Artworks Theatre , the Waiheke Island Community Cinema , the attention-grabbing Waiheke Community Art Gallery and Whittaker’s Musical Museum , a collection of antique instruments. This is also the place for free internet access, either on a terminal
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Old Library Arts Centre
The work of local artists is exhibited in this wonderful art-deco building. Check the website for occasional concerts. Set between the old and new libraries is Pou , an intriguing sculpture consisting of 10 large poles carved with Māori, Polynesian, Celtic, Croatian and Korean moti
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Waikawa Museum & Information Centre
Something of a one-stop shop in a one-horse town, this little museum features the usual array of dusty agricultural artefacts and photographs of mainly local interest. However, it also incorporates the information centre, acts as the reception for some local holiday rentals, and se
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Pollard Park
Ten-minutes walk from town this 25-hectare park boasts beautiful blooming and scented gardens, a playground, tennis courts, croquet and a nine-hole golf course. Its pretty as a picture when lit up on summer evenings. Five minutes away, on the way to or from town, is the extensive T
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