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Karikari Estate
Impressive Karikari Estate produces acclaimed red wines and has a cafe attached (mains and platters $16 to $40), and while the wine tastings are shamelessly overpriced, at least the sublime views are free. During the peak of summer, good pizza is served from 5pm in the cafe.
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Miranda Shorebird Centre
The Miranda Shorebird Centre has bird-life displays, hires out binoculars and sells useful birdwatching pamphlets. Nearby are a hide and several walks (30 minutes to two hours). The centre offers clean bunk-style accommodation (dorm beds/rooms $25/95) with a kitchen.
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Art Station
Showcases work by members of the Otago Art Society, including pieces for sale in the shop and temporary exhibitions in the main gallery. Items donated by members over the course of the societys 140 years of existence are proudly displayed in the corridor connecting the two.
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Ruapuke Beach
Whale Bay marks the end of the sealed road, but a gravel road continues to the wild spans of Ruapuke Beach, 22km from Raglan. It’s dangerous for swimmers here, but popular with surf-casting fisherfolk. The gravel road continues to Mt Karioi and rejoins the inland road at Te Mata.
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Mikes
About 5km north of Urenui town you’ll find arguably the highlight of North Taranaki – Mikes – which offers tours (book ahead), takeaways, tastings of the legendary Mike’s Pale Ale (the Pilsner and whisky porter are killer, too), and an Oktoberfest party every (you guessed it) Octob
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Elephant Rocks
Sculpted by wind, rain and rivers, the huge limestone boulders of this bizarre landscape were utilised as Aslan’s Camp in the NZ-filmed Narnia movies (2005–2010). Theyre located on farmland about 5.5km south of the highway; follow the signs after crossing the Maerewhenua River.
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Pasquale Kurow Winery
The valleys most impressive winery, Pasquale produces killer pinot noir, pinot gris and riesling, as well as less common varietals such as gerwürtztraminer, arneis and viognier. Drop in for a wine-tasting session ($10, refundable upon purchase) and an antipasto and cheese platter.
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Cable Car Museum
The small-but-nifty Cable Car Museum tells the history of the Wellington cable car, arcing back to when it was built in 1902. Take the cable car back down the hill, or ramble down through the Wellington Botanic Gardens (a 30- to 60-minute walk, depending on your state of mind).
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Bluff Maritime Museum
Salty tales abound round these parts, and many are preserved in this small museum, alongside a century-old oyster boat and a big old steam engine. It also houses interesting displays on Bluff history and on the annual muttonbird (tītī) harvest, an important tradition for local Māor
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Underwater Observatory
Six windows showcase life under the lake in this reverse aquarium (the people are behind glass). Large brown trout abound, and look out for freshwater eels and scaup (diving ducks), which cruise right past the windows – especially when the coin-operated food-release box is triggere
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Höglund Glass Art
Ola, Marie and their associates work the furnace to produce internationally acclaimed glass art. The process is amazing to watch, and the results beautiful to view in the gallery. Their jewellery and penguins make memorable souvenirs if their signature vases are too heavy to take h
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Blacks Point Museum
Housed in an old church 2km east of Reefton on the Christchurch road, this museum is crammed with prospecting paraphernalia. Just up the driveway is the still-functional Golden Fleece Battery , used for crushing gold-flecked quartz. The Blacks Point walks also start from here.
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Tane Mahuta
Near the north end of the park, not far from the road, stands mighty Tane Mahuta, named for the Māori forest god. At 51.5m, with a 13.8m girth and wood mass of 244.5 cubic metres, he’s the largest kauri alive, and has been holding court here for somewhere between 1200 and 2000 year
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Classics Museum
Travel in time amid this collection of over 100 classic cars from the first half of the 20th century. Even if you’re not a motorhead, you’ll still be dazzled by the crazy Amphicar and the cool Maserati and Corvette sports cars. The museum is just off SH1, northwest of central Hamil
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Tuatara Brewery
Visit the oldest and most famous of Wellingtons craft breweries at its industrial-estate premises where you can slurp a pint or two and chew some bar snacks (biersticks, nachos, pizza). Book in advance for an enlightening Saturday tour of the brewery ($35, including tasting tray).
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NZ Classic Motorcycles
Motorcycle enthusiasts should race round to this exceptional 300+ collection of classic bikes, including a clutch of super-rare Brough Superiors and a tribe of Indians. Well-considered displays across two floors and a handy mobile app allow close inspection from multiple perspectiv
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Cooks Plaza
Near the summit of Kaiti Hill in Titirangi Reserve is Cooks Plaza. Due to a cock-up of historic proportions, the Cook statue here isn’t garbed in British naval uniform, nor does it bear any facial resemblance to Captain Jim. A plaque proclaims, ‘Who was he? We have no idea!’.
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Collingwood Museum
The Collingwood Museum fills a tiny, unstaffed corridor with a quirky collection of saddlery, Māori artefacts, moa bones, shells and old typewriters. Next door, the Aorere Centre has an on-rotation slide show featuring the works of the wonderful pioneer photographer, Fred Tyree.
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Founders Heritage Park
Two kilometres from the city centre, this park comprises a replica historic village with a museum, gallery displays, and artisan products such as chocolate and clothing. It makes for a fascinating wander, which you can augment with a visit to the on-site Founders Brewery & Café
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Lake Karapiro
Eight kilometres southeast of Cambridge, Lake Karapiro is the furthest downstream of a chain of eight hydroelectric power stations on the Waikato River. It’s an impressive sight, especially when driving across the top of the 1947 dam. The 21km-long lake is also a world-class rowing
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