Taranaki Festival of Lights
January 2019
3 days - 2 nights
Price TBC | Single Supplement TBCHighlights
Magical Festival Lights in Pukekura Park
Hurworth Cottage and Gardens
Awakino Scenic Bush
Te Rewa Rewa Bridge
Stratford Glockenspiel
Staying in the Devon Hotel, New Plymouth
Next tour will be in January 2019. Please check again for updates.
Join us on our tour to New Plymouth and visit the annual Festival of Lights in Pukekura Park.
During the Festival, the park is turned into a magical illuminated night-time wonderland plus in the daytime we can take in its diverse range of landscapes, bush walks, formal gardens, lakes and the Tea House. No wonder the park is known as the jewel in New Plymouth’s crown.
We also visit the award winning Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, Hurworth Cottage and Gardens and go to Stratford to see and hear the famous Glockenspiel. A short but enjoyable tour which includes many sights around New Plymouth and Mount Taranaki.
Itinerary
Day 1
DinnerWe start our journey and after our morning tea stop, we continue to Piopio where we have lunch. This thriving village is well known for its friendly atmosphere so we couldn’t resist visiting one of its many cafes. After lunch, we drive through the Awakino scenic bush and farming country, through Mokau and then continue along the coast. We stop at the magnificent international award winning Te Rewa Rewa Bridge which was completed in 2010. Travelling on to historical New Plymouth, named after the English city from where the first settlers migrated to New Zealand in 1841, we arrive at the fabulous Devon Hotel where we stay for the next 2 nights.
Day 2
Breakfast, DinnerThis morning we go to Pukekura Park to see it in its daylight glory. The park covers about 52ha (128 acres) and contains many plant collections, exotic specimen trees, lakes and walking trails through native bush. During the Festival, there are many craft stalls on display as well. We head back to the city centre and following lunch, we visit Hurworth Cottage and Gardens. Hurworth Cottage was built in 1855-56 by pioneer settler and future four-time Premier of New Zealand Sir Harry Atkinson. This evening, we go back to Pukekura Park where we will be amazed at the fascinating illuminations - it will seem so different from what we saw this morning. Keep an eye out for the old favourites such as the Sleeping Giant, the Jelly Fish and the Black Light Area. With live music as well, a wonderful evening is in store.
Day 3
BreakfastThis morning, we drive to Stratford. Named after Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, many of its streets are named after Shakespearean characters. We make our way to the Clock Tower where we watch Shakespeare’s most famous lovers, Romeo and Juliet, emerge for their balcony scene while we listen to the Glockenspiel. Afterwards, we head north to Te Kuiti where we stop for lunch then make our way back to Auckland.