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Jubilee Gardens
Apart from its Spanish Mission town clock, Jubilee Gardens is a wholehearted tribute to the ‘mother country.’ A British lion guards the cenotaph, with a plaque that reads, ‘Tell Britain ye who mark this monument faithful to her we fell and rest content.’
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Hurworth Cottage
This 1856 cottage, 8km south of New Plymouth, was built by four-time NZ prime minister Harry Atkinson. The cottage is the sole survivor of a settlement abandoned at the start of the Taranaki Land Wars: a rare window into the lives of early settlers.
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Warbirds & Wheels
Dedicated to NZ combat pilots, the aircraft they flew and the sacrifices they made, this museum features Hawker Hurricanes, a de Havilland Vampire and lots of shiny, beautifully restored classic cars. Theres also an art gallery and retro diner attached.
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Point Kean Seal Colony
At the end of the peninsula seals laze around in the grass and on the rocks, lapping up all the attention. Give them a wide berth (10m), and never get between them and the sea – they will attack if they feel cornered and can move surprisingly fast.
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Rapaura Water Gardens
It’s worth turning inland at Tapu for a mainly sealed 6km drive to the Rapaura Water Gardens, a marriage of water, greenery, sculpture and platitudes. There’s accommodation on-site (cottage/lodge $165/285) and a well-regarded cafe (mains $14 to $29).
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Christ Church Raukokore
At blink-and-youll-miss-it Raukokore, this old Anglican church (1894) is a sweet beacon of belief on a lonely promontory. The simple white and grey interior is suitably demure (look for the mouse on high). There are services at 11am on Sundays.
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Old St Pauls
Designed by Rev Fred Thatcher, the first vicar of Wellington, the wonderfully woody St Pauls (1866) is well worth a look. Inside are claret carpets, drawers of old altar textiles, brassy organ pipes and a little shop to check out. Guided tours $5.
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Rippon
Along with just about the best view of any NZ winery, Rippon has great wine too. To save fights over whos going to be the designated driver, take a 2km stroll along the lakeside and look out for the track up the hill from the end of Sargood Dr.
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Mansion House
This impressive wooden manor was extended from an 1845 structure by Governor George Grey, who purchased the island in 1862. It houses a fine collection of Victoriana, including some of Grey’s effects, and is surrounded by the original exotic gardens.
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Coromandel Goldfield Centre & Stamper Battery
The rock-crushing machine clatters into life during the informative tours of this 1899 plant. You can also try panning for gold ($5) and stop to see NZ’s largest working waterwheel. Ask about the special summertime tours by lamplight at 5pm daily.
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Black Barn Vineyards
This hip, inventive winery has a bistro, a gallery, a popular summer Saturday farmers market (one of the first in NZ) and an amphitheatre for regular concerts and movie screenings. The flagship chardonnay is like kissing someone pretty on a summer afternoon.
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Kiwi Birdlife Park
These five acres are home to 10,000 native plants, tuatara and scores of birds, including kiwi, kea, moreporks, parakeets and extremely rare black stilts. Stroll around the aviaries, watch the conservation show, and tiptoe quietly into the darkened kiwi houses.
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Coaltown Museum
This modern museum retells the same old yarns of hard times, but with well-scripted display panels alongside an excellent selection of photographs, surrounding relics of local industries and general pioneer ephemera. The Denniston displays are a highlight.
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Tapeka Point
North of Russell, on the other side of Maiki hill, Tapeka Rd heads down to a sandy beach in the shadow of a craggy headland. A pa once stood at the top of the hill. Follow the pathway for views stretching to the far northern reaches of the Bay of Islands.
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War Memorial Tower
Ride the ratchety old Durie Hill Elevator up to the top of Durie Hill, then keep climbing skywards up the austere War Memorial Tower. Its 176 steps and 33.5m to the top, from where there are clear-day views from the Tasman Sea to Mt Ruapehu and Mt Taranaki.
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Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
About 10km north of the central city, Willowbank focuses on native NZ critters (including kiwis), heritage farmyard animals and hands-on enclosures with wallabies, deer and lemurs. Theres also a re-created Māori village, the setting for the evening Ko Tane .
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Ruapekapeka Pa Historic Reserve
It’s worth stopping at the Ruapekapeka Pa Historic Reserve, off SH1 south of Kawakawa, to see how impressive the fortifications were. Here you can wander the site of the last battle of the Northland War, brought to life through detailed information boards.
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Monmouth Redoubt
Shaded by huge pohutukawa trees, spooky Monmouth Redoubt was a fortified site during the Māori Wars. Next door is Robbins Park . At the foot of the Redoubt, on the end of the Strand, is Te Awa nui Waka , a replica Maori canoe, on display in an open-sided building.
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Tararua Wind Farm
On the southwestern edge of Manawatu Gorge, about 40-minutes drive from Palmerston North, is the Tararua Wind Farm, allegedly the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere. Its on private land, but there are awesome views of the turbines from Hall Block Rd.
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Invercargill Brewery
New Zealands great southern brewery has 20 taps for flagon-fills plus a bottled section of its own brews and guests. Pop in for a tasting, or the 45-minute daily tour at 1pm. Our favourites are the crisp B.man Pilsner and the chocolatey Pitch Black stout.
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