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Minden Lookout
From Minden Lookout, about 10km west of Tauranga towards Katikati, there’s a superb view back over the cranes in Tauranga harbour and across the Bay of Plenty. To get there, take SH2 to Te Puna and turn off south on Minden Rd; the lookout is about 3km up the road.
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New Zealand Portrait Gallery
Housed in the heritage waterfront Shed 11, with its red-brick walls and terracotta tiles, this excellent gallery presents a diverse range of NZ portraiture from its own collection and frequently changing guest exhibitions. A contemporary spin on historic NZ.
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St Patrick’s Cathedral
Auckland’s Catholic cathedral (1907) is one of the citys loveliest buildings. Polished wood and Belgian stained glass lend warmth to the interior of the majestic Gothic Revival church. There’s a historical display in the old confessional on the left-hand side.
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Ancient Kauri Kingdom
Here, 50,000-year-old kauri stumps dragged out of swamps are fashioned into furniture, woodcraft products and a fair bit of tourist tat. The large complex includes a cafe, gift shop and workshop. A huge kauri log has been transformed impressive spiral staircase.
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Haruru Falls
A walking track (one way 1½ hours, 5km) leads from the Treaty Grounds along the Waitangi River to these attractive horseshoe falls. Part of the path follows a boardwalk through the mangroves. Otherwise you can drive here, turning right off Puketona Rd onto Haruru Falls Rd.
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Glowworm Dell
On the northern edge of town, a short stroll from SH6 leads to this glowworm dell, an easy opportunity to enter the other-worldly home of NZs native fungus gnat larvae (so not even a worm at all). An information panel at the entrance will further illuminate your way.
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Wanaka Beerworks
Somewhat incongruously attached to the toy museum, this small brewery’s main beers (Cardrona Gold lager, Brewski pilsner, Treble Cone wheat beer and Black Peak coffee stout) are complemented by those of its sister label Jabberwocky, along with various seasonal brews.
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Carter Observatory
At the top of the Botanic Gardens , the Carter Observatory Space Place features a full-dome planetarium offering regular space-themed multimedia shows (eg We Are Aliens, Dynamic Earth, To Space and Back) and stargazing sessions. Check the website for show times.
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Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre
Wingspan is dedicated to conserving three threatened NZ birds: the falcon, the hawk and the owl. Learn about the birds in the museum display, then take a sneaky peek into the incubation area before walking through the all-weather aviary. Dont miss the 2pm flying display.
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St Stephens Church
Sitting in a pretty glade right next to the general store, this gorgeous little Anglican church (1885) has a warm wooden interior and some interesting stained glass. Look for St Francis of Assisi surrounded by NZ flora and fauna (get the kids to play spot-the-tuatara).
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St Faith’s Anglican Church
Ohinemutus historic timber church is intricately decorated with Māori carvings, tukutuku (woven panels), painted scrollwork and stained-glass windows. One window features an etched image of Christ wearing a Māori cloak as he appears to walk on the waters of Lake Rotorua.
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Vintage Car & Machinery Museum
You dont have to be a rev-head to enjoy this vintage car collection featuring a 1907 De Dion-Bouton and a gleaming 1926 Bentley. Theres also a purpose-built Daimler used for the 1954 royal tour, plus some very nice Jags, 1970s muscle cars and all sorts of farm machinery.
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Te Hana Te Ao Marama
Youll see the terraces of a lot of historic pa (fortified village) sites etched into hillsides all around NZ, but if you want to get an idea of how these Māori villages actually looked, take a one-hour guided tour of the recreated pa at Te Hana. Its best to book ahead.
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Maerewhenua Māori Rock Painting Site
Sheltered by an impressive limestone overhang, this site contains charcoal-and-ochre paintings dating to before the arrival of Europeans in NZ. Head east from Duntroon and take the first right after crossing the Maerewhenua River; the site is on the left after about 400m.
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Scandrett Regional Park
On the ocean side of the Mahurangi Peninsula, Scandrett Regional Park has a sandy beach, walking tracks, patches of regenerating forest, a historic homestead, pa sites and great views towards Kawau Island. Three baches ($168, sleeping six to eight) are available for rent.
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Schubert Wines
Run by German imports who searched for and found the best spot in the world to produce their favourite wine, pinot noir. This compact cellar door is big on personality, with a fine range of wines including the unusual tribianco, a blend of three white wine varieties.
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Ross Goldfields Heritage Centre
Ross, 30km south of Hokitika, is where the unearthing of NZ’s largest gold nugget, the 2.772kg ‘Honourable Roddy’, caused a kerfuffle in 1907. The Ross Goldfields Heritage Centre displays a replica Roddy, along with a scale model ($2) of the town in its shiny years.
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Nairn Street Cottage
Just a five-minute amble from the top of Cuba St, Wellingtons oldest cottage (1857) has been carefully restored, complete with an organic garden and chooks. Admission is by tour only (on the hour noon to 3pm), retelling stories of early settlers and life in the mid-1800s.
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Timaru Botanic Gardens
Established in 1864, these gardens are a restful place to while away an hour or two, with a pond, lush lawns, shady trees, a playground and vibrant plant collections. With luck youll arrive during rhodo or rose bloom-time. Enter from Queen St, south of the city centre.
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Matawhero Church
Some 7km west of the town centre in the suburb of Matawhero, this historic Presbyterian church is the only building in the village to have survived the 1868 raid by the rebellious Te Kooti . It’s a sweet, timber affair with a bell turret and lovingly tended gardens.
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