Taranaki Region, New Plymouth, New Zealand
Antonio Mews is situated in Taranaki’s Statford township. Only 35km from New Plymouth Stratford is in the heart of the Taranki dairy farming region. Stratford is between two major roads SH3 and SH43 and sits on the banks of the Patea River.
Statford is known for its Shakespearean them and stunning parks and gardens.
Egmont National Park covers 33,534 hectares. The volcano Mt Taranaki offers spectacular scenery to those wishing to make the climb. There are also beautiful walks through fertile forest to waterfalls and wetlands with amazing views along the way. Established as a national park in 1900, Egmont National Park was New Zealand’s second national park.
Tawhiti Museum
If you’re after a taste of Kiwi-style ‘Madame Tussauds’, Tawhiti Museum in Hawera is the place to visit. Widely acclaimed as the best private museum in New Zealand, the iconic complex is the work of talented local artist Nigel Ogle, who designs and builds life-size exhibits and scale models to capture the past in a set of super realistic displays.
Enjoy the drama of New Zealand’s colonial past, in displays that rival the artistry of world-famous Madame Tussauds’ Museum in London. A Must-Do experience, and a gem in Taranaki’s crown, Tawhiti is a museum unlike any other.
Forgotten World Highway 43
Imagine a world preserved by time… suspended infinitely in a lifestyle reminiscent of New Zealand’s pioneering days. A world where history and heritage are paramount, where Mother Nature takes the upper hand to protect her unique environment, and where passersby still enjoy a cheery wave from locals – the way this pioneering country used to be a century ago. Close your eyes and you can almost hear the calls from farmers ploughing the dramatic hill country with mighty bullock-drawn blades; the laughter of country kids making their meandering way to tiny one-teacher schools via horseback; the long-anticipated social gathering in some isolated community hall ‘out the back of beyond’; and the careful tread of Maori warriors along ancient rainforest-covered trails linking North Taranaki with the south.
Forgotten is its name, but this route is really a journey of remembrance – a constant reminder of the determined settlers who tried – and most times failed – to scratch a living from its wild and isolated hill country. It’s no wonder this was New Zealand’s first Heritage Trail, with each of its special historic highlights signposted and explained along the way.
If history is your passion, this highway is ideal. Meandering over huge saddles overlooking lush valleys and mountainous ranges, the road passes through historic pioneering districts that once hosted healthy communities… now passed back to Mother Nature’s bosom. Drive the highway in less than three hours, or take your time to explore the fusion of nature with man… riverboat landing sites, road tunnels, disused coal mines, mills, brick kilns and sleeping villages instilled with the character of yesteryear.
Glockenspiel
The Stratford Glockenspiel was the first and, at time of writing, only Glockenspiel in New Zealand. The figurines in Glockenspiel are much larger than most figurines in European Glockenspiels. However, in common with European Glockenspiels, the Stratford Glockenspiel does display part of a story - Romeo and Juliet in this case.
The Glockenspiel is also unusual in that it delivers spoken-words in addition to the customary music. Ever keen to promote the Shakespearean connection, the Stratford Glockenspiel recites lines from Romeo and Juliet. Performances occur at 10am, 1pm and 3pm daily.
Dawson Falls
The pleasant drive to 900 metres above sea level on Mount Taranaki’s south eastern slopes lead you to Dawson Falls Roadend. This is the starting point for many walks on this side of the mountain.
There is also a Historic hydro-electric power station to view. The Dawson Falls stunning waterfall is located within 10 minutes of Dawson Falls Visitor Centre in Egmont National Park.