Stratford

Stratford is in Taranaki, New Zealand. Sitting on the banks of the Patea River, Stratford enjoys impressive views of Mount Taranaki/Egmont. The mountain provides a year-round source of recreation, with skiing, hiking, climbing and scenic walks. Trout fishing is popular at the region's rivers and streams, and the town boasts several fine gardens, including Te Popo. South of Stratford, the Taranaki Pioneer Village houses a collection of historic buildings. The Stratford-Taumaranui Heritage Trail also takes in historic sites - a booklet about the trail is available at the visitor centre.

Stratford clock tower

Get in

By car

Hire a car in New Plymouth or bring a campervan. Stratford is along State Highway 3 midway between New Plymouth and Hawera; it takes roughly 40 minutes from New Plymouth and 25–30 from Hawera.

By bus

Intercity coaches from Wellington and New Plymouth stop outside the i-Site in Miranda Street.

Get around

Stratford is small enough to walk around. There is no bus system or taxis.

There is a Monday - Friday daily connecting bus from New Plymouth with two services to Stratford and onward to Hawera. The same bus also connects Stratford Town with Taranaki Base Hospital.

See

All of the streets have Shakespearean names. Romeo St and Juliet St don't intersect for some reason. There is an art gallery next to the I-Site.

• Glockenspiel clock tower. The only one in New Zealand. The glockenspiel performs for about 5 minutes, after the hour chimes at 10AM, 1PM, 3PM and 7PM. (updated Mar 2021)
• Whangamomona Republic. New Zealand's "other nation." 50 km or so down Route 43. In January of every other year (2007, 2009, 2011...) the population swells to about 5,000 to celebrate its independence. Has a border guard (an outdoor toilet), a president, and its own beer. Get your passport stamped at the hotel. 
• 1 Percy Thomson Gallery. Public art gallery.with exhibitions changing every month. (updated Mar 2021)
• 2 Taranaki Pioneer Village. weekends and daily during school holidays: 10AM–4PM. 10 acre village with 40 buildings dating back to 1853 and a steam train. adult: $15. (updated Nov 2021)

Do

• 1 Taranaki Electricity Trust Kings Theatre, Broadway. Cinema and theatre operating since 1919 and showing the first "talkies" in 1927. (updated Mar 2021)

Buy

Chocolates at the sweet shop are in the shape of Taranaki, the Glockenspiel, kiwi, etc.

Eat

There is a good bakery and a small ethnic shop selling cheap groceries. There is an Italian restaurant serving excellent pizza, located on the main street

• 1 New World supermarket. is the town's only big supermarket, selling a large range of groceries. (updated Mar 2021)

Sleep

• 1 Amity Court Motel, 35 Broadway, ☏ +64 6-765 4496. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 10AM. (updated Nov 2021)
• 2 Antonio Mews Motel, 424 Broadway, ☏ +64 6-765 8313. (updated Nov 2021)

Connect

There is free internet at the library. Expect a wait and a 30-minute time limit.

Go next

Head south to Hawera or north to New Plymouth. The Forgotten World Highway (Route 43) to Taumarunui is one of New Zealand's most underrated drives.

Routes via Stratford (New Zealand)

New Plymouth ← Inglewood ←	N  SE	→ Hawera → Palmerston North
END ←	W  E	→ Whangamomona → Taumarunui