Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki Visitor Centre — Attraction in North Island

Walked the Pouakai Crossing today. Started from the Visitor Centre which was definitely the right direction to go in (more downhill than up). The Visitor Centre coffee was OK, but not great by any means; they do have some decent looking food for purchase (cakes, slices etc) but of course you should bring your own food for the actual walk. Staff at the Visitor Centre were helpful and welcoming. We're quite fit in our mid-late 30s and finished in 6 hours 10 mins, including a quick lunch break at Holly Hut, stopping to wait a few minutes for the track workers to do their thing, and detour to the Tarns. The Tarns were worth the 10 mins detour but nothing to crazy rave about. The track works in progress will make the track amazing but still be prepared for scrambles over the rocks at times. Sneakers were totally fine, but only because there has been a month of sun recently, if not you would benefit from proper boots. The boardwalk steps at the end are a bit onerous, but unavoidable. Walked the whole thing in a singlet and shorts, but again only because the weather has been great...we didn't need our wet/warm weather gear at all (though of course you should be prepared for anything when up...

If you're planning to go over the holiday period, make sure you arrive early and have a plan before you arrive. Upon arrival we were "greeted" by a parking assistant who immediately questioned what walk we would be doing and how long we would be without explanation. They put us in a three hour max park so it all felt a little rushed, we stopped for a (very quick) breakfast on a nearby bench but felt as though we were being watched by the attendant.

The walk itself was great, the views once you head above the tree line are amazing! But we did feel the pressure throughout the walk to make sure we made it back in time. The DOC website did mention some traffic control on the mountain over the holiday period but I didn't expect something fun and recreational to end up being a rushed experience.

Looking forward to revisiting at a quieter time of year, and once the cafe is open again - not that we would've had time to go as we also didn't get to check out the...

Ko Taranaki te maunga tapu he kaitiaki hoki o tēnā wāhi.

This sacred mountain and guardian of the vicinity is a truly majestic mountain Evan as you drive trough the area it's presence truly inspires all who go or live there.

One of the many wonders of Aoyea roa.

A beautiful canopy of trees will welcome you upon the mountain as you drive or walk up her skirts to the lovely Depatment of conservation information center.

There is a good amount or parking for day or tramper( hiker) visitors.

The walks are well signposted and the views from just above the visitor center (3 min walk) on a beautiful day ar breathtaking in the very least.

So if a day visitor or a hiker planing a multiple day stay in some of the many huts to be found on the mountain you will not be disappointed. You will gain memories for a lifetime.

Na reira piki ake Kake ake ki tēnei...