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Clifden Suspension Bridge
Spanning the Waiau River about 12km north of Tuatapere, this elegant wooden suspension bridge is the longest of its kind in New Zealand. Information panels, a picnic table and toilets encourage a pit stop.
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Bearded Mining Company
Looking like a ZZ Top tribute band, the fellas hangin at this high-street mining hut are champing at the bit to rollick your socks off with tales tall and true. If youre lucky, youll get a cuppa from the billy.
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Gannet Colony
Cape Kidnappers gaggling gannet colony is best viewed between early November and late February, when the gannets are here in the greatest numbers. Take a guided tour (charges apply) to get the most out of the experience.
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Hokonui Heritage Centre
The Hokonui Heritage Centre incorporates the Gore Visitor Centre, the Gore Historical Museum and the Hokonui Moonshine Museum . Together they celebrate the towns proud history of fishing, farming and illegal distilleries.
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Hinewai Reserve
Get a glimpse of what the peninsula once looked like in this privately owned 1050-hectare nature reserve which has been replanted with native forest. Pick up a map outlining the walking tracks at the visitor centre.
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Coney Wines
Fingers crossed that your tasting host will be the inimitable Tim Coney, an affable character who makes a mighty syrah and may sing at random. Home to the excellent Trio Cafe too (mains around $25); bookings recommended.
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Cardrona Distillery & Museum
An interesting diversion for those travelling along the valley, this brand-new distillery produces single-malt whisky, vodka, gin and an orange liqueur. Book ahead for tours, which leave on the hour from 10am to 3pm.
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Botanica
Native ferns, tropical plants and cacti are displayed in this little council-run fernery, set on the edge of cute Cafler Park . The park encloses the Waiarohia Stream and includes a rose garden and a scented garden.
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Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre
Adjoining the Waitomo i-SITE, the Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre has excellent exhibits explaining how caves are formed, the flora and fauna that thrive in them, and the history of Waitomo’s caves and cave exploration.
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Warkworth Districts Museum
Pioneer-era detritus is displayed at this small local museum. Of more interest is the surrounding Parry Kauri Park , which harbours a couple of giant kauri trees, including the 800-year-old McKinney kauri (girth 7.6m).
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Taranaki Aviation, Transport & Technology Museum
Around 9km south of New Plymouth is this roadside museum, with ramshackle displays of old planes, trains, automobiles and general household miscellany. Ask to see the stuff made by the amazing bee guy (hexagons ahoy!).
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Southward Car Museum
This huge hangarlike museum has one of Australasia’s largest collections of antique and unusual cars. Check out the DeLorean and the 1950 gangster Cadillac. Its a few kilometres north of the main Paraparaumu shops.
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Pou
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 motifs. Grab an interpretive pamphlet from the library.
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Katikati Bird Gardens
About 7km south of town, the 4-hectare Katikati Bird Gardens is all aflap with native birdlife (ever seen a kawaupaka?). There’s a cafe and gallery here too, plus boutiquey cottage accommodation (double B&B $175).
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Grove Scenic Reserve
Around 10-minutes drive from Takaka (signposted down Clifton Rd) you will find this crazy limestone maze punctuated by gnarled old rata trees. The walkway takes around 10 minutes and passes an impressive lookout.
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Geraldine Museum
Occupying the photogenic Town Board Office building (1885), and sporting a new side wing, this cute little museum tells the towns story with an eclectic mix of exhibits including an extensive collection of photographs.
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Central Hawke’s Bay Settler’s Museum
The Central Hawke’s Bay Settler’s Museum in Waipawa has pioneer artefacts, informative ‘homestead’ displays and a good specimen of a river waka (canoe). Look for the anchor of the ill-fated schooner Maroro out the front.
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Wool Shed
Occupying two historic woolsheds, this baaaa-loody marvellous little museum is dedicated to NZ’s sheep-shearing and wool-production industries. Smell the lanolin! Its also a good spot to pick up a home-knitted hat.
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History House Museum
Housed in an historic building, this museum is predominantly pictorial and, although old fashioned, provides endless background on the regions trials and tribulations. A good place to pull up a chair on a rainy day.
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National Aquarium of New Zealand
Inside this mod complex with its stingray-inspired roof are piranhas, terrapins, eels, kiwi, tuatara and a whole lotta fish. Snorkellers can swim with sharks ($82), or sign up for a Little Penguin Close Encounter ($65).
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