STRATFORD Fly in, 26th to 28th October, 2018,
Stratford lies to the East of Mt. Taranaki, mid way between New Plymouth and Hawera. It is the centre of a rich dairy farming area, and the western gateway to the “forgotten Highway” and Taumarunui. Our visit will coincide with the Taranaki Garden Spectacular.

ACCOMODATION:
We have reserved rooms at the AMITY COURT MOTEL, 35 Broadway, Ph 06 765 4496, or 0800 496 313:
Email :- info@amitycourtmotel.co.nz . or www.amitycourt.co.nz .
This is a near new motel, on the northern side of Stratford, and right next to a new Countdown Supermarket.

If booking, please state you are with the “Flying Rotarians” or IFFR. Bookings are expected to be heavy, with the Garden Spectacular in progress, so the Motel won’t hold rooms after 31st August.

PROGRAMME:
Arrive Friday 26th, Commercial flights from Christchurch and Auckland to New Plymouth, and private pilots preferring to fly into New Plymouth, will be met and transferred. Stratford airfield is to the North East of the town, about 3 kms out.

1830: Transfer to Midhurst Tavern , for buffet and get together

Saturday 27th:
Breakfast in motel, this can be arranged, but with the Countdown next door it’s just as easy to arrange your own.
0900; Bus leaves motel for Tawhiti Museum, arriving at 0930 – The Museum will open earlier for our group.
Visit both the Museum and “Traders and Whalers” display.

1200 Lunch at Badgers Cafe (at the Museum) then depart for the Elvis Presley Private Museum, Hawera. Records and memorabilia collected since 1959. A must see if you are an Elvis fan !!

1330 Depart for Hollard Gardens (a garden of National Significance) for a walk through the informal and intimate gardens. Rhododendrons and camellias will be in bloom and there is a strong representation of these. (www.hollardgardens.info)

1445 Transfer to Dawson Falls, Afternoon tea is available at the lodge, (own cost) and a short walk (20min) down to the falls. Look through the DOC information centre before returning to the Motel.

1730 Transfer to Well Cafe in the centre of town for Rotary meeting with Stratford and Stratford Satellite Clubs.

Sunday 28th:
Breakfast in motel as above.
0845: IFFR Meeting in either room 8 or room 10 at the motel
0930: Bus departs for Pioneer Village:- a great outdoor museum featuring forty buildings representing authentic structures circa 1850 – 1950

1030: to TATATM (Taranaki Aviation Technology and Transport Museum) a hands on museum. for those who wish, across the highway is the renowned Lake Mangamahoe, for a short walk around this beautiful lake.

1200: Back to Egmont Village and Kauri Cottage for lunch, then to “Pukeiti” the Rhododendron spectacular on the slopes of Mt Taranaki, beside the Egmont National Park. (There could be an option of a guided tour, as has been done in the past during the Garden Festival) if not, avail yourself of a short walk in and around the garden and the new aerial treetop walk.

1615: Depart to arrive back at Stratford by 1700 then for those who wish, transfer to Stratford Mountain House Restaurant for fine dining ( 20 min drive up the Mountain from the motel:- own cost, numbers needed for reservations)

Monday 29th:
Depart motel by 1000, we will catch commercial flights and transfer to private aircraft.

If you are driving, our visit coincides with the regional Garden Festival which runs for 10 days 26th October to 4th November. We visit two of the gardens but it’s the privately owned gardens that are opened exclusively for the festival that are a must see. If you have time, stay on and enjoy the gardens, tours, guest speakers, and community events that take place over the following ten days. Programmes are available from July and can be forwarded from the Stratford Information Centre PDent@stratford.govt.nz