This info pack is designed to help educators plan and coordinate field trips to Taranaki, for students focusing on key aspects of Tourism or Hospitality in their studies. Information is provided about available and discounted accommodation and food options for groups, as well as interactive sessions at activity operator sites.

These sessions include a combination of talks from industry professionals, on current and relevant business and tourism topics, as well as discounted activity options, for those looking to combine practical learning opportunities with time spent in an operational environment. More information on Education and Training options in your region can be found at www.tourism.net.nz

Activity And Talk Options

Chaddy’s Charters

Head out to the islands on the Rescue III, an old RNLI rescue boat from the UK. Look out for the seals, and local bird life and if you're lucky, you may even spot whales. There may be an option to throw a fishing line overboard too!

Talk Topics:

• Maori and European History of the area
• Local Geology
• Species that inhabit the area

Activity Options: The wildlife Boat Tour is a must-do, however, Chaddy’s Charters also offers the following activity options:

• Bike and eBike hire
• Paddleboard hire 
• Kayak hire (1 and 2-person kayaks available)

Timings: Boat trips go for approximately 1hr. Daily trip times are dependent on the tide. If the time you require isn't online, please call to enquire as Chaddy’s Charters can sometimes run trips by request.

Location: 39 Ocean View Parade, New Plymouth

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 3pm. Closed Mondays.

Contact: [email protected] / 06 758 9133

Cost: Contact above email or website for more info.

Egmont Travel Group

Egmont Travel Group is the only tourism company in Taranaki offering full and comprehensive destination experiences. They provide the opportunity for visitors to truly get amongst what makes the region so unique. One of the region’s most unique experiences is the Honey Factory Tour and Tasting.

Talk Topics:

• Visitor demographics
• Designing travel experiences
• Connecting with local businesses

Activity Option:

• Honey Factory Tour and Tasting: Visit the Egmont Honey factory in New Plymouth to watch the entire honey-making process through their famous glass wall packing rooms. Enjoy Manuka honey tasting and watch a hive-to-pot experience in 3D, using their unique virtual reality goggles.

Timings: Sessions every Saturday at 10am

Location: Tour locations vary across Taranaki, depending on activity booked

• Egmont Street Gift Shop: 66 Devon Street West, Brookland’s, New Plymouth
• The Honey Factory: 21 Connet Road West, Bell Block

Contact: Mathew Webling; Co-Owner /[email protected] / 022 099 0387

Cost: Adults $25, Children $10

Other: Egmont Travel Group can offer additional experiences at discounted rates. Please enquire about other options.

Escape Master

Escape Masters New Plymouth is Taranaki's number one puzzle escape room experience. They challenge your group to come along and take on their Train, Zombie or Pirate Room.

Talk Topics:

• Health and Safety
• Staff training
• Escape room popularity

Activity Options: Three escape rooms

• Zombies
• Pirates
• Train Caper

Timings:60mins is provided for escape room activities. There are regular sessions with 90mins between, allowing time for set up and induction. For larger groups, multiple escape rooms can be booked.

Location: 44 Currie Street, Level 1, New Plymouth

Opening Hours: Tues/Wed,/Sun 10am – 8.30pm; Thur - Sat 10am – 10pm

Contact: Dana and Lance; Owner Operators - [email protected]/ 06 757 3640

Cost:2 - 8 players/room. Price pp varies depending on the number of players. 6 – 8 students $27pp

Egmont National Park Visitor Centre and Department of Conservation

The Taranaki / Egmont National Park Visitor Centre offers comprehensive displays, a small café, a retail area, and DOC staff to help with track information and weather updates. Visit the Visitor Centre for information on what the region has to offer. Rangers have first-hand, in-depth local knowledge about conservation places and activities and can arrange a talk, on request.

Talk Topics:

• Managing visitor safety
• Conservation Areas
• Work roles in the Department of Conservation

Activity Options: A range of short walks can be completed from the Visitor Centre. These are well formed, easy walking for up to an hour. There are some areas suitable for picnics.

Timings: Talk times can vary based on class requirements. Walks can vary from 15mins to full-day and multi-day hikes.

Location: Egmont National Park, 2879 Egmont Road, New Plymouth

Opening Hours: 8am - 4pm, Daily

Contact: DOC Visitor Team [email protected] / 06 756 0990

Cost: FOC

Other: Please be advised that weather conditions can be very unpredictable in the national park. Ensure that all students are present for a safety briefing before attempting any tracks.

Govett Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre

NZ's most courageous contemporary art museum and home to the collection of modernist filmmaker and kinetic artist Len Lye. A range of educational sessions/ talks can be developed to fit around your group's learning objectives.

Talk Topics:

• Accessible Tourism - sense art tours and learning support
• Managaing exhibitions, events and non-profit art museums
• Architecture and art Tourism

Activity Option: Welcome and active tour with a gallery educator

Timings: Allow 2hrs

Location: 42 Queen Street, Ngāmotu, New Plymouth

Opening Hours: 10am - 5pm, Daily

Contact: The Gallery’s education team on [email protected] / 06 759 0858

Cost: Educational visits FOC, however donations are encouraged. Adults accompanying school groups do not pay entry charge.

Other: Self-guided visits can take place from 10am - 5pm on weekdays. Large groups are not recommended for self-guided visits and booking is required at least 1 week before your visit. Check the Gallery’s website at www.govettbrewster.com for any Covid impacts at time of your visit.

Venture Taranaki

Venture Taranaki is the Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) responsible for coordinating, facilitating, motivating and developing the marketing of Taranaki. As the neutral tourism contact point for the resort, they work with local businesses, tourism operators, the hospitality industry, accommodation providers, retailers and service sectors, to promote Taranaki as a unique, visitor destination, that offers visitors truly memorable experiences.

Talk Topics:

• Tourism in NZ
• Venture Taranaki - who they are and what they do
• Marketing strategies

Timings: 15-20min presentation + discussion time

Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm, Weekdays

Contact: Brylee Flutey, GM Destination, [email protected] / 06 759 5150

Location: Venture Taranaki Trust, 25 Dawson Street, New Plymouth

Cost: FOC

Hillsborough Car Museum and Mini Putt

Hillsborough Car Museum has NZ’s largest private collection of Holden cars and memorabilia. They also have a Bathurst-themed mini putt 18-hole golf course and Taranaki's only Luge. Established as a passion project, the owners have a unique story about why they established a visitor attraction.

Talk Topics:

• History and background of Hillsborough Car Museum and Mini Golf
• Managing a private museum

Activity Options:

• 18-hole mini putt based on the layout of the famous Mount Panorama track at Bathurst
• Luge opening TBC (contact Joy for details); ride on 240m of track. A free train ride to the top is included in the price.

Timings: Allow 1hr for mini putt

Location: 683 Egmont Road, New Plymouth

Opening Hours:

Saturday & Sunday:

• Museum 10am-4pm
• Cafe 9am-4pm
• Mini Putt & Luge 10am-5pm

Public Holidays:

• Museum 10am-4pm
• Cafe 9am-4pm
• Mini Putt & Luge 10am-5pm

*Open every day during school holidays

Contact: Joy Fabish, Co-Owner - [email protected] / 027 4470 708

Cost: Mini Putt - $15/adult and $10 for under 16s. Luge from $12. Please enquire about special group rates

Other: Onsite Hideaway Café offers a range of lunch options and cabinet food with indoor and outdoor seating available

Fun Ho! Toy Museum

Fun Ho! Toys Museum showcases classic hand-made toys that were made from 1935 to 1982. It still produces products for its museum and online shop. There is also a slot car track, theatrette, machinery and interactive displays. Students are able to explore the museum and possibly see products being made.

Talk Topics: Topics depend on whether Richard or Phillipa are available and should be inquired about before visiting.

• History of company

• Nostalgia visitors

• Appealing to young vs older demographics

Activity Options: Toys are made onsite regularly. If the toy maker is in-house, students are welcome to watch him in action making the toy of the day on the furnace.

Timings: Allow 30mins - 2 hrs

Location: 25 Rata Street, Inglewood (approx. 15mins from New Plymouth)

Opening Hours: Weekdays 10am - 4pm. Weekends 10am – 2pm.

Contact: Cynthia Enright; Administrator - [email protected] / 06 756 7030

Cost: Adults $7. Children $3.50. 10% discount for groups of 20+ & Teachers FOC

Puke Ariki & New Plymouth iSITE

Fun Ho! Toys Museum showcases classic hand-made toys that were made from 1935 to 1982. It still produces products for its museum and online shop. There is also a slot car track, theatrette, machinery and interactive displays. Students are able to explore the museum and possibly see products being made. Puke Ariki is an integrated knowledge hub. The central New Plymouth site combines a museum, library, research centre & iSITE. Booked group visitors can expect:

• Welcome in the museum foyer
• Classroom talk about the structure of Puke Ariki and iSITE
• Brief talk from iSITE staff/curator(s)/educators
• Gallery tour of Te Takapou Whāriki/Taranaki Life and Ko Taranaki Te Maunga
• Explore the iSITE

Talk Topics: Potential topics as part of Te Takapou Whāriki Gallery tour.

• Managing heritage
• Sustainability
• Heritage
• Visitor Management
• Significance of natural and man-made attractions in Tourism Māori

Activity Options: Free time to explore the museum and iSITE

Timings: Most education sessions run for 1hr 15mins but please allow at least 2hrs for the welcome and exploration

Location: 1 Ariki Street, New Plymouth CBD

Opening Hours: 10am - 5pm, daily

Contact: Education Team - 06 7596710 / [email protected]

Cost: Adults $7. Children $3.50. 10% discount for groups of 20+ & Teachers FOC

P/P COST: Free for Taranaki Schools $5/student for schools outside Taranaki region.

Food And Talk Options

Cobb & Co New Plymouth

Menu: NZ’s original restaurant and bar, Cobb & Co offers a range of family-friendly options and provide vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options. View the menu here.

Best For: Lunch and Dinner

Location: 198 Courtenay Street, New Plymouth

Opening Hours:12pm - 9pm, Daily

Contact: [email protected] / 06 757 9675

Cost: Sides from $6.90, lunches from $13.90

Other: Refurbished in 2020 with plenty of seating for large groups. A private conservatory seating up to 55 can also be hired, if required.

Holy Guacamole

Menu: Holy Guacamole makes fresh healthy Mexican options out of their food caravan in Oakura. They provide value for money options including burritos, quesadillas and burrito bowls

Best For: Dinner and takeaway options, especially in the summer months. Ideal for small groups

Location: In winter they are open outside the BP in Oakura for take-outs

Opening Hours: Winter - Friand Sat, 5pm - 8.30pm. From July 23rd also open on Thurs

Contact: Isaac Drought and Cathi Strebinger; Owners -0212051406 /[email protected]

Cost: Value for money options with Quesadillas at $11.50

Other: On warm nights, Holy Guacamole can get popular so phone ahead. Staggering orders may be required if the group is large.

Bach on Breakwater

Menu: Breakfast, brunch, lunch and snacks with a range of cabinet food, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan offerings

Best For: Breakfast and Lunch

Location: Ocean View Parade, Port Taranaki, New Plymouth

Opening Hours: Tues – Fri, 9am – 3:30pm. Weekends, 9am - 4pm

Contact: Rahul; Owner – 06 769 6967/ [email protected]

Cost: Menu items start from $7.90, with most breakfast and lunch options priced below $22

Other: Indoor and outdoor seating available. Private evening dining can be arranged

Accommodation And Talk Options

New Plymouth TOP 10 Holiday Park

Accommodation Type: New Plymouth TOP 10 Holiday Park have a great range of accommodation options to tailor to your groups size and budget.

• Bunkrooms: Sleep up to 8. All bunk rooms include a living area and kitchenette. Pillows and pillowcases provided, guests must provide their own bedding.
• 2-3 Bedroom Units: Sleep 4-7. Units include a kitchenette, living area and bathroom. Bedding is provided.

Location:29 Princess Street, Fitzroy, New Plymouth

*Mount Taranaki is a 25min drive and Fitzroy Beach within 7mins walk

Contact: The Hickford Family; Owners -[email protected] / 0800 758 256

Cost: Prices vary based on seasonality and demand. Please contact with your group details, requirements and budget

Egmont Eco Leisure Park

Accommodation Type: Egmont Eco Leisure Park offers a range of accommodation options to suit your budget and needs

• Multishare room: Sleeps 7 (single and bunk style beds)
• Female multi-share room: Sleeps 6
• Chalet dorm: Sleeps up to 10
• Can sleep up to 100 guests

Location: 12 Clawton Street, New Plymouth, Taranaki

Contact: Gary Ogle; Group Reservations Facilitator -[email protected]/ 06 278 6523

Cost: Prices vary from $28pp but please enquire and other options may be able to be provided

Other: Modern and clean communal kitchen, multiple shower and toilet facilities, 2 conference rooms with smaller work rooms also available. Gary is also able to help with planning itineraries and working around a budget to suit your needs.

Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park

Accommodation Type: The park offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and is New Plymouth’s only holiday park on the beach. Powered and unpowered campsites are also available.

• Standard Studio Ensuite Cabin (sleeps up to 4 – Queen bed + 1 set of single bunks)
• Standard Studio Ensuite Cabin (sleeps up to 6 – Queen bed + 2 sets of single bunks)
• Standard 3 berth cabin (sleeps up to 3 - Duo bunk w single on top, double on bottom)

Location: 1d Beach Street, Fitzroy, New Plymouth, Taranaki (7mins drive to New Plymouth i-SITE and CBD)

Contact: Jenn; Manager -[email protected] / 06 758 2870

Cost: Varies depending on group size/dates/accommodation. Contact Jen for a quote

Other: Students are required to bring their own bedding and towels, or these can be supplied for an additional fee.