Grant And Tracey's Guidebook

Grant And Tracey
Grant And Tracey
Grant And Tracey's Guidebook

Walks

The perfect place for a number of walks... Stratford is the closest main centre to the breathtaking Egmont National Park. There are more than 200km (124 miles) of walking trails through the 33,500ha (82,780 acres) park brimming with dense forest, alpine scrub and the central volcanic cone of Mt Taranaki. One of the easier walk access points from Stratford is the Stratford Mountain House where you’ll find the 15-minute Kamahi Track winding through the moss-covered “Goblin Forest”. There’s also the 2-3 day Pouakai Circuit offering varying landscapes. Location: Walks are accessible from the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre, Stratford Mountain House & the Stratford Plateau Dawson Falls Visitor Centre is 40 minutes from the property
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Egmont
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The perfect place for a number of walks... Stratford is the closest main centre to the breathtaking Egmont National Park. There are more than 200km (124 miles) of walking trails through the 33,500ha (82,780 acres) park brimming with dense forest, alpine scrub and the central volcanic cone of Mt Taranaki. One of the easier walk access points from Stratford is the Stratford Mountain House where you’ll find the 15-minute Kamahi Track winding through the moss-covered “Goblin Forest”. There’s also the 2-3 day Pouakai Circuit offering varying landscapes. Location: Walks are accessible from the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre, Stratford Mountain House & the Stratford Plateau Dawson Falls Visitor Centre is 40 minutes from the property
The award-winning Coastal Walkway is a 13.2km path that forms an expansive sea-edge promenade stretching from Pioneer Park at Port Taranaki all the way to the eastern side of Bell Block Beach. This is a 45 minute drive from the property in Central New Plymouth. An excellent place to walk or cycle with breathtaking views of the ocean.
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Coastal Walkway Foreshore
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The award-winning Coastal Walkway is a 13.2km path that forms an expansive sea-edge promenade stretching from Pioneer Park at Port Taranaki all the way to the eastern side of Bell Block Beach. This is a 45 minute drive from the property in Central New Plymouth. An excellent place to walk or cycle with breathtaking views of the ocean.
Spare an extra 20 minutes along the way to walk to the North Island’s second-highest waterfall, Mt Damper Falls. It looks especially awesome after a rainy night. Location: 15km (9 miles) from the Forgotten World Highway along Mokie Road, then Mangapapa Road then Okau Road. 1 hour 45 total from the property.
Mount Damper Falls
Spare an extra 20 minutes along the way to walk to the North Island’s second-highest waterfall, Mt Damper Falls. It looks especially awesome after a rainy night. Location: 15km (9 miles) from the Forgotten World Highway along Mokie Road, then Mangapapa Road then Okau Road. 1 hour 45 total from the property.
“Walkway”?! More like a tough tramp through dense forest to reach the stunning Whanganui River be prepared. Find out more information on the Department of Conservation (DOC) website. Location: About 23km (14 miles) from Strathmore on the Forgotten World Highway, take the road to Makahu then continue on the Upper Mangaehu Road.
Matemateāonga Track
Matemateāonga Track
“Walkway”?! More like a tough tramp through dense forest to reach the stunning Whanganui River be prepared. Find out more information on the Department of Conservation (DOC) website. Location: About 23km (14 miles) from Strathmore on the Forgotten World Highway, take the road to Makahu then continue on the Upper Mangaehu Road.

Sightseeing

Taranaki Pioneer Village This very unique outdoor museum includes around 30 buildings taking you back in time when the pioneers first settled in New Zealand. This is a couple of kilometres south of Stratford.
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Taranaki Pioneer Village
3912 Mountain Rd
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Taranaki Pioneer Village This very unique outdoor museum includes around 30 buildings taking you back in time when the pioneers first settled in New Zealand. This is a couple of kilometres south of Stratford.
See New Zealand’s Only Glockenspiel Let’s begin with the pride of the town: the Stratford Glockenspiel! Playing every day at 10am, 1pm, 3pm and 7pm, the Glockenspiel chimes and performs a short reenactment of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in commemoration to the town being named after the birthplace of Shakespeare. Watch the figurines appearing at many different hidden windows of the Glockenspiel throughout the performance. Location: Broadway, Stratford town centre. 15 minutes from the property.
Glockenspiel Public Toilet
Broadway
See New Zealand’s Only Glockenspiel Let’s begin with the pride of the town: the Stratford Glockenspiel! Playing every day at 10am, 1pm, 3pm and 7pm, the Glockenspiel chimes and performs a short reenactment of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in commemoration to the town being named after the birthplace of Shakespeare. Watch the figurines appearing at many different hidden windows of the Glockenspiel throughout the performance. Location: Broadway, Stratford town centre. 15 minutes from the property.
Explore a diverse range of native and exotic plants at the 5-star Hollard Gardens as rated by the New Zealand Gardens Trust! This dairy farm has been transformed into a lush garden of meandering walkways. Pick up a map from the visitor centre and enjoy the complimentary tea and coffee. Location: Upper Mahia Road, Kaponga 30 minutes from the property.
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Hollard Gardens
Manaia Road
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Explore a diverse range of native and exotic plants at the 5-star Hollard Gardens as rated by the New Zealand Gardens Trust! This dairy farm has been transformed into a lush garden of meandering walkways. Pick up a map from the visitor centre and enjoy the complimentary tea and coffee. Location: Upper Mahia Road, Kaponga 30 minutes from the property.
Rediscover New Zealand’s Oldest Heritage Trail How can you not be intrigued by a road called the “Forgotten World Highway”? It is so-called due to the fact that it’s New Zealand’s oldest heritage trail. So whether you’re taking the few hours drive or a few days bike ride, there are many reasons worth stopping for on this 155km (96 miles) highway between Stratford and Taumarunui. Find snippets of history in the remnants of forgotten tunnels. Locate old Maori pa sites left from this Maori trading route. There are even hikes into native forest to give you a taste of how New Zealand was before humans discovered the country.
New Zealand State Highway 43
New Zealand State Highway 43
Rediscover New Zealand’s Oldest Heritage Trail How can you not be intrigued by a road called the “Forgotten World Highway”? It is so-called due to the fact that it’s New Zealand’s oldest heritage trail. So whether you’re taking the few hours drive or a few days bike ride, there are many reasons worth stopping for on this 155km (96 miles) highway between Stratford and Taumarunui. Find snippets of history in the remnants of forgotten tunnels. Locate old Maori pa sites left from this Maori trading route. There are even hikes into native forest to give you a taste of how New Zealand was before humans discovered the country.
Stumble across a bizarre bridge in the middle of lush native forest. What's it doing here? Where does it lead? Located deep in the forest of Whanganui National Park, this concrete road bridge looks ridiculously out of place. There is no road either side, and no signs of construction or civilisation. It is truly the 'Bridge to Nowhere'. As you can imagine, there is an interesting story behind this bridge. The remote Mangapurua Valley was opened up in 1919 to provide farms for soldiers returning from World War I. A wooden swing bridge for horses provided access to the valley. After years of agitation from the local community, a more robust concrete road bridge was constructed in 1936. However it was used for only six years. The Mangapurua Valley Soldiers Settlement walked off their land in 1942 after decades of battling hardship caused by the valley's poor soils. The forest grew back, obliterating all signs of habitation except for the bridge. Today, you can find the Bridge to Nowhere by catching a jet boat from either Pipiriki or Whakahoro. From Mangapurua Landing on the Whanganui River it's an easy 40 minute walk one-way, through beautiful native forest. The bridge offers great views of the steep forest valley and the riverbed below. This area is part of the Whanganui National Park, and the Bridge to Nowhere is a feature of the popular two-day hike along the Mangapurua Track which starts at Whakahoro.
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Bridge to Nowhere
13001 Whanganui River
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Stumble across a bizarre bridge in the middle of lush native forest. What's it doing here? Where does it lead? Located deep in the forest of Whanganui National Park, this concrete road bridge looks ridiculously out of place. There is no road either side, and no signs of construction or civilisation. It is truly the 'Bridge to Nowhere'. As you can imagine, there is an interesting story behind this bridge. The remote Mangapurua Valley was opened up in 1919 to provide farms for soldiers returning from World War I. A wooden swing bridge for horses provided access to the valley. After years of agitation from the local community, a more robust concrete road bridge was constructed in 1936. However it was used for only six years. The Mangapurua Valley Soldiers Settlement walked off their land in 1942 after decades of battling hardship caused by the valley's poor soils. The forest grew back, obliterating all signs of habitation except for the bridge. Today, you can find the Bridge to Nowhere by catching a jet boat from either Pipiriki or Whakahoro. From Mangapurua Landing on the Whanganui River it's an easy 40 minute walk one-way, through beautiful native forest. The bridge offers great views of the steep forest valley and the riverbed below. This area is part of the Whanganui National Park, and the Bridge to Nowhere is a feature of the popular two-day hike along the Mangapurua Track which starts at Whakahoro.
Whangamomona: Not Part of New Zealand This quirky little town in the (although, it is controversial to say this) Manawatu-Wanganui Region in the North Island is its own republic. The republic is complete with presidents, however, only two have been human, and passports and passport stamps to ensure safe passage through Whangamomona. Certainly off the beaten track, only a hardcore New Zealand backpacker would make sure they add the Republic of Whangamomona stamp to their passport! You can get to the town by following the Forgotten World State Highway. Whangamomona is a 1 hour drive from the property.
Whangamomona
Whangamomona: Not Part of New Zealand This quirky little town in the (although, it is controversial to say this) Manawatu-Wanganui Region in the North Island is its own republic. The republic is complete with presidents, however, only two have been human, and passports and passport stamps to ensure safe passage through Whangamomona. Certainly off the beaten track, only a hardcore New Zealand backpacker would make sure they add the Republic of Whangamomona stamp to their passport! You can get to the town by following the Forgotten World State Highway. Whangamomona is a 1 hour drive from the property.
This pioneer tunnel was the main access to the Makahu and Puniwhakau valleys in the early 1900s. Location: About 15km (9 miles) from Strathmore on the Forgotten World Highway, take the road to Makahu then continue on the Upper Mangaehu Road.
Makahu Tunnel
198-20 Brewer Road
This pioneer tunnel was the main access to the Makahu and Puniwhakau valleys in the early 1900s. Location: About 15km (9 miles) from Strathmore on the Forgotten World Highway, take the road to Makahu then continue on the Upper Mangaehu Road.
The narrow tunnel is commonly known as the “Hobbit’s Hole”, even proudly displaying this name on a sign at the entrance. Look around for fossilised giant crabs. Location: On the Forgotten World Highway about 1 hour 20 minutes from the property.
Moki Tunnel
State Highway 43
The narrow tunnel is commonly known as the “Hobbit’s Hole”, even proudly displaying this name on a sign at the entrance. Look around for fossilised giant crabs. Location: On the Forgotten World Highway about 1 hour 20 minutes from the property.
A bit of a road trip. About 1 hour 45 from the property but we'll worth the drive. Excellent craft, food, plants and more market. Right on the river near the Waimarie paddle steamer (also worth a look!)
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Whanganui River Traders Market
7 Taupo Quay
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A bit of a road trip. About 1 hour 45 from the property but we'll worth the drive. Excellent craft, food, plants and more market. Right on the river near the Waimarie paddle steamer (also worth a look!)

Places to eat or drink

Local places to have a drink and some good food
Craft Brewery is a ‘Taranaki Classic’ Forgotten 43 Brewing is located in Stratford at the beginning of State Highway 43, known locally as the Forgotten World Highway.   Owned and operated by a group of enthusiastic locals with a taste for quality craft beer. Craft Beers: Hardyards - S.M.A.S.H Lost Track - A.P.A Black Gold - Irish Milk Stout Lord Nelson - New Zealand Pale Ale Patea Clear - Pilsner Rotokare - Lager
Forgotten 43 Brewing
279 Broadway
Craft Brewery is a ‘Taranaki Classic’ Forgotten 43 Brewing is located in Stratford at the beginning of State Highway 43, known locally as the Forgotten World Highway.   Owned and operated by a group of enthusiastic locals with a taste for quality craft beer. Craft Beers: Hardyards - S.M.A.S.H Lost Track - A.P.A Black Gold - Irish Milk Stout Lord Nelson - New Zealand Pale Ale Patea Clear - Pilsner Rotokare - Lager
In the centre of Stratford, 15 minutes from the property. Great quality breads and cabinet food plus a small breakfast and lunch menu. Excellent value for money. Try the "loaded fries" for $9!
The Baking company
95 Regan Street
In the centre of Stratford, 15 minutes from the property. Great quality breads and cabinet food plus a small breakfast and lunch menu. Excellent value for money. Try the "loaded fries" for $9!
45 minutes away as you drive into Hawera on Highway 3. Fantastic food at reasonable prices. Excellent service. Wonderful outside area in the sun or shade with lovely gardens.
Upside Down Eatery
54 Fantham St
45 minutes away as you drive into Hawera on Highway 3. Fantastic food at reasonable prices. Excellent service. Wonderful outside area in the sun or shade with lovely gardens.
Open Wednesday to Saturday from 9am. Check the hours as they can change throughout the year. Great views on a clear day. Cafe, bar and restaurant. Menus are on their website.
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Stratford Mountain House
998 Pembroke Rd
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Open Wednesday to Saturday from 9am. Check the hours as they can change throughout the year. Great views on a clear day. Cafe, bar and restaurant. Menus are on their website.

Art & culture

Get your culture fix at the Percy Thomson Gallery. This contemporary art gallery has an ever-changing program of exhibitions, so who knows what work you’ll see on your visit. It’s a popular attraction with the locals who just keep coming back. Location: Prospero Place, 56 Miranda Street 15 minutes from the property.
Percy Thomson Gallery
56 Miranda St
Get your culture fix at the Percy Thomson Gallery. This contemporary art gallery has an ever-changing program of exhibitions, so who knows what work you’ll see on your visit. It’s a popular attraction with the locals who just keep coming back. Location: Prospero Place, 56 Miranda Street 15 minutes from the property.