Rob Tucker ©
EXPLORE
The Taranaki region offers a wide range of activities to suit every interest and we are always happy to share our local knowledge to ensure you enjoy your visit. Below are some of our guests’ favourite activities. Additional information can be found on the Venture Taranaki site.
Or if you are here to relax and unwind, then Ahu Ahu is the perfect place to do so. Enjoy a sleep in, then lie in the window seat and read a good book. Take time to visit a local café and finish the day by watching the sunset over the western horizon. We have a great spot to catch the ‘green flash’, that small green light which often appears at the last glimpse of the sun setting on the sea with a clear horizon. Our firepit is special place to watch the moon rise and to enjoy wine, food and conversation. Some of the firepit stories are tall, many personal. We have a saying: “What’s said in the firepit stays in the firepit”.
WATER
At Ahu Ahu you have easy walking access to the beach for swimming, beach combing, checking the shipwreck or strolling in the sunset.
Taranaki has the most consistent surf in New Zealand. We have three good surf breaks, ranging from a perfect learners/longboard wave to a radical right hander. Our breaks are offshore on a south/west wind, drive 35 minutes down the coast and you can find offshores at Opunake with a north/easterly wind, or Stent Road just a 20-minute drive away.
Our prevailing south-west wind combined with good waves makes the Ahu Ahu Bay a favourite with windsurfers and kite surfers. Take it to the next level and visit Sirocco Surf for a finely tuned, high performance custom board shaped to order by master craftsman Biggie (David) Smithers.
There is nothing nicer than chilling out beside a cool mountain river in the summertime. The Whenuariki Stream (great for children) and Timaru rivers are both within walking distance of the Villas.
Rob Tucker ©
LAND
There are many wonderful walks, to suit every fitness level, within close proximity to Ahu Ahu. Detailed information can be found on the Walking & Hiking section of the Venture Taranaki site.
World Class Gardens are in abundance here in Taranaki, with one of the best, Pukeiti, only minutes away by car. Visit during the annual Taranaki Garden Festival and experience New Zealand’s premier spring festival showcasing stunning private and public gardens and inspiring events.
There are 17 Golf Courses around the mountain with a well-groomed 18-hole golf course only 5 mins drive away.
If you choose to bring a bike you can just jump on and ride. We have four bikes and there are also a number of places you can hire a bike in New Plymouth and ride the 11km long coastal walkway, a popular pastime for both locals and visitors. If you are into mountain biking there is a dedicated track at Lake Mangamahoe which is open to the public.
ART & CULTURE
Taranaki is home to several renowned museums and art galleries including Puke Ariki museum and The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre. We also have numerous outstanding artists in Taranaki, many of these you can visit in their studios. See our friend Caz Novak’s website as an example. Caz’s work is held in private collections both in New Zealand and internationally.
Maori had and still have a significant presence in Taranaki. Culturally significant historic sites such as Koru Pa are close by and well worth a visit. The heart rending but spiritually uplifting story of Parihaka and its Prophets is one worth exploring while here in Taranaki.