Ruru Retreat’s Guidebook.
Some of our favourite places in Taranaki.
Sightseeing
Walk the well laid out tracks, pick your day and summit our beautiful mountain, But respect her, conditions can change quickly.
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Igumbi Lomhlaba lukaEgmont
Walk the well laid out tracks, pick your day and summit our beautiful mountain, But respect her, conditions can change quickly.
It’s a big day but we have at Ruru retreat a special hot tub waiting for you to soak away the aches and pains.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pouakai Circuit Reflective Tarn
It’s a big day but we have at Ruru retreat a special hot tub waiting for you to soak away the aches and pains.
A short drive from Ruru retreat, up Carrington Road you will find 320 ha of gardens full of rhododendrons and other specimen trees, And the cafe there is well worth the stop.
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Pukeiti
2290 Carrington RdA short drive from Ruru retreat, up Carrington Road you will find 320 ha of gardens full of rhododendrons and other specimen trees, And the cafe there is well worth the stop.
Climb Paritutu rock this volcanic outcrop sticks out like a sore thumb between two of New Plymouths loveliest beaches, Ngamotu beach and back beach, just climb the stairs and then there is a short distance of moderate too easy rockclimbing will get you to the summit for views over New Plymouth and the surrounding coastline.
Paritutu Rock Car Park, New Plymouth
Climb Paritutu rock this volcanic outcrop sticks out like a sore thumb between two of New Plymouths loveliest beaches, Ngamotu beach and back beach, just climb the stairs and then there is a short distance of moderate too easy rockclimbing will get you to the summit for views over New Plymouth and the surrounding coastline.
It’s free to visit, and only 2 minutes up the road from Ruru retreat.
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Tupare
487 Mangorei RdIt’s free to visit, and only 2 minutes up the road from Ruru retreat.
The most accessible waterfall in the Taranaki region and certainly one of the most impressive just a 10 minute walk from the Dawson Falls visitors centre through glorious native forest to this almost 60 foot high falls.
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Dawson Falls
The most accessible waterfall in the Taranaki region and certainly one of the most impressive just a 10 minute walk from the Dawson Falls visitors centre through glorious native forest to this almost 60 foot high falls.
Pukekura Park
10 Fillis StThe jewel of New Plymouth and its free to all.
When you’re walking in the park you must visit the fernery behind the kiosk.
Fernery and Display Houses
Fillis StreetWhen you’re walking in the park you must visit the fernery behind the kiosk.
Turn back the clock and take a drive through central/eastern Taranaki. Take your time and check out the stunning scenery and grab lunch at the Whanga pub
Whangamomona Hotel
6018 Ohura RdTurn back the clock and take a drive through central/eastern Taranaki. Take your time and check out the stunning scenery and grab lunch at the Whanga pub
Be adventurous, try dam dropping. You won’t here tourism operators raving about this locally invented activity.
Normanby Dam
127 Normanby RoadBe adventurous, try dam dropping. You won’t here tourism operators raving about this locally invented activity.
Take the mountain bikes from Ruru retreat and go exploring, just 25 minutes ride from Ruru retreat down the Te Henui walkway and your on the magical coastal walkway.
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Coastal Walkway Foreshore
Take the mountain bikes from Ruru retreat and go exploring, just 25 minutes ride from Ruru retreat down the Te Henui walkway and your on the magical coastal walkway.
Grab a coffee at Federal, walk up the street 50 meters and grab some “Taranaki hard core” like no other
Taranaki Hardcore
454 Devon St EGrab a coffee at Federal, walk up the street 50 meters and grab some “Taranaki hard core” like no other
While you’re walking around the park, wander into our zoo, it’s also free entry.
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Brooklands Zoo
30 Brooklands Park DrWhile you’re walking around the park, wander into our zoo, it’s also free entry.
Another one of Taranaki’s outstanding walks. Yes it’s also free.
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White Cliffs Walkway
1135 Gilbert RdAnother one of Taranaki’s outstanding walks. Yes it’s also free.
A couple of hours on a rainy day well spent. You guessed, it’s free!
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Puke Ariki
1 Ariki StA couple of hours on a rainy day well spent. You guessed, it’s free!
Take a good pair of binoculars, and sturdy footwear. Walk quietly and you will see New Zealand before the rats, cats and stoats arrived.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rotokare Scenic Reserve
365 Sangster RdTake a good pair of binoculars, and sturdy footwear. Walk quietly and you will see New Zealand before the rats, cats and stoats arrived.
International destination for film & kinetic art.
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I-Centre Len Lye
42 Queen StInternational destination for film & kinetic art.
Tupare
487 Mangorei RdBeautifully restored garden & Chapman-Taylor home.
Back Beach Carpark
4 Rangitake DriveFood scene
The best service in town, viewing our beautiful coast line, seating inside or out. And the seafood linguine 🥰
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Arborio Restaurant, Cafe & Terrace Bar
65 Saint Aubyn StreetThe best service in town, viewing our beautiful coast line, seating inside or out. And the seafood linguine 🥰
Get there early or book, it’s really nice and the locals know.
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Federal Store
440 Devon St EGet there early or book, it’s really nice and the locals know.
Siam Thai Fusion Cuisine
70 Devon St WBeautiful ☺️
Breakfast, lunch or a romantic dinner. The mountain house is one of our favourite restaurants.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Stratford Mountain House
998 Pembroke RdBreakfast, lunch or a romantic dinner. The mountain house is one of our favourite restaurants.
Chaos
36 Brougham StYummy 🤤
Liardet Street
Great vibe, even better food.
Plant based food
Wild Pear Kitchen
178 Devon Street EastMountain biking
Leave Ruru retreat on your mountain bike or E bike and follow the Picturesque Te Henui walkway down to the ocean to join the coastal walkway at Eastend beach. Distance: The Coastal Walkway is 13.2km from Port Taranaki to the eastern end side of Bell Block Beach.
Sections of the Walkway
Port to the Wind Wand: 3.4km
Wind Wand to Te Rewa Rewa Bridge: 4.5km
Te Rewa Rewa Bridge to Tiromoana Cresent, Bell Block: 4.8km
Grade: Easy. The walkway is paved, with some gentle slopes. It is excellent for walking, running, cycling, skateboarding, skating and scooting. Most people would be able to walk 4-6km/hr on the Coastal Walkway.
Te Henui Walkway
Leave Ruru retreat on your mountain bike or E bike and follow the Picturesque Te Henui walkway down to the ocean to join the coastal walkway at Eastend beach. Distance: The Coastal Walkway is 13.2km from Port Taranaki to the eastern end side of Bell Block Beach.
Sections of the Walkway
Port to the Wind Wand: 3.4km
Wind Wand to Te Rewa Rewa Bridge: 4.5km
Te Rewa Rewa Bridge to Tiromoana Cresent, Bell Block: 4.8km
Grade: Easy. The walkway is paved, with some gentle slopes. It is excellent for walking, running, cycling, skateboarding, skating and scooting. Most people would be able to walk 4-6km/hr on the Coastal Walkway.