Getting Oriented in North Island's West Coast

The region's landscape includes the majestic volcano, Mt. Taranaki; the gorges and wilderness of the Whanganui River; the underground wonders of the Waitomo Caves; world-renowned surfing beaches; two national parks; and a host of forest-covered conservation areas, along with highly productive farmland.

In the north, Cambridge is close to Hamilton and about a two-hour drive from Auckland, on the main State Highway 1. Surfing town Raglan is in a sparsely populated area of the West Coast, yet an easy hour's drive from Hamilton. Continuing south, Waitomo sits on a popular North Island tourist trail linking Rotorua and Tongariro National Park. It's also on the westward route to New Plymouth and the Taranaki region. While State Highway 1 traverses the center of the North Island, State Highway 3 travels the West Coast through the Taranaki bight to Wanganui, then meets again with State Highway 1 close to Palmerston North.

• Waikato and Waitomo. Waikato's landscape is a mosaic of dairy farms, stud-horse farms, and rural service towns. In the west, forest-covered ranges form a buffer between the farms and famed West Coast surfing beaches of Raglan. To the south, the Waitomo Caves region is nestled in steep country, a mix of forest reserve and sheep-and-cattle farms.
• New Plymouth and Taranaki. Taranaki juts away west from the North Island landmass. Dominating the landscape is Mt. Taranaki (Egmont is its English name), the nearly perfectly symmetrical volcano that forms the basis of Egmont National Park. The mountain's lower, forested slopes give way to farmland, interspersed with outstanding public gardens. Along the coastline are popular surf beaches. Anchored by New Plymouth, it's a place known for climbing, hiking, surfing, fishing, and cultural museums.
• Wanganui, the Whanganui River, and Palmerston North. The Whanganui River, flowing through a vast, forest-covered wilderness from the central North Island mountains, is the focus here. At its mouth, Wanganui city was established when river travel was the main form of transport. Today, kayakers and jet-boaters enjoy the scenic, historic, and wilderness experiences of Whanganui National Park. Close by is Palmerston North, a university city and farming center.