For anybody interested in gardening, Taranaki is an absolute 'must see' destination. Optimum growing conditions and local enthusiasm have given birth to places that'll almost make you weep with botanical joy.

Fifteen years ago I visited the region as a scientist, now I go back regularly because I can't help myself. I visit the wild places as well as the parks and gardens.

Mountain gardens

	Pukekura Park fountain, New Plymouth
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The round-the-mountain track is sensational - you'll walk from one fascinating environment to another. I can't resist the 'Goblin Forest', which is easily accessible from the car-park of the North Egmont information centre. It's the best cloud forest I've seen - beats the pants off Borneo. There are hanging mosses and incredibly beautiful ferns - the Prince of Wales Fern is abundant here, and it's one of New Zealand's rarest.

You can walk to the summit of Mount Taranaki - a guide is advisable if you're not an experienced outdoors person. I've been up six times. When I took my son with me he said "Dad, I can see the whole world".

It's also interesting to walk around the tree-line in summer - it's a beautiful alpine meadow up there.

Surprising parks

In my opinion, Pukekura Park is the best public park in New Zealand. From mid December until early February, the park becomes a canvas for the Festival of Lights. Spectacular light installations enhance the trees and water features. It's stunning! There are ultraviolet disco lights hanging from above, uplights from below and on the path they sprinkle pebbles that are coated with UV material. Kids love it - psychedelia in the garden.

Rhododendron flower in Pukeiti Garden
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There's a mass of private gardens to visit around Taranaki. Some of the best can be viewed during the Rhododendron Festival, which publishes a garden trail map every year. Tupare is open every day except Christmas, as is Hollard Gardens in Kaponga.

Rugged hills

I'm always moved by the old, rugged, pasture landscapes that lie between Stratford and Whangamomona. You can still imagine the stage coach stopping in every settlement. A highlight is the 180-metre, one-way Moki tunnel at the western end of the Tangarakau Gorge.