National Park House and Exhibition “NaturGeschichten-ThayaTales“

The national park house located between Merkersdorf and Hardegg offers new and fascinating insights into the development and the biodiversity of the Thaya valley.  The greatest attraction of the centre and highlight for the visitors is the exhibition called "NaturGeschichten - ThayaTales".

The visitors follow a meandering path simulating the flow of the river Thaya and virtually dive through a wave of up to five meters in height.  At the end of the room, the wave breaks through the wall and splashes into the open.  While watching, guessing, listening, feeling and playing, the visitors get to know this unique landscape from a quite different perspective and gain impressions that could hardly be gained in the field.  Fire salamanders and earth toads in a terrarium are a particular attraction for the youngest visitors.  Afterwards, a walk through the Thaya valley offers fascinating insights into the origins of nature and enriches the knowledge about the incredible wealth of life in nature.  
 
The national park house also hosts the national park administration office and serves as the first information point for visitors who want to know more about the park.  At the information centre you can find guide books, information on nature, event programmes and suggestions for excursions.   

A convention hall offers sufficient space and the necessary technical equipment for the organisation of all kinds of events and exhibitions.
The national park shop and the Thaya Valley coffee-house complement the visitor services.   


Contact:
2082 Hardegg
Phone:  +43(0)2949/7005
Fax; +43(0)2949/7005-50
E-Mail: office@np-thayatal.at
Internet: www.np-thayatal.at
 
Opening hours:
April - Sept.: Tue - Sun, holidays 9.00 - 18.00 hours
March, Oct. and Nov.: Thu - Sun, holidays 10.00 - 16.00 hours
Subject to changes!
 
How to get there:
by car
- From Vienna: follow motorway A 22 to Stockerau, highway B 303 via Hollabrunn, Guntersdorf and Retz to Merkersdorf and Hardegg (approx. 95 km).
- From the West: A1 Linz - St. Pölten, expressway St. Pölten – Krems via Eggenburg and Pulkau to Hardegg.
- From the North: In Znaim, after the river Thaya river, turn right towards Retz. In Mitterretzbach, turn right again via Niederfladnitz to Hardegg; or from Frain (Vranov) via Vratenin/Oberthürnau, Drosendorf, Langau to Hardegg.

by train and bus
Express train Vienna – Retz or Znaim - Retz
Bus Retz - Hardegg.  For transfer days and detailed information, call the train information at 05/1717 or visit www.oebb.at, for bus information, call 01/711 01 or visit  www.vor.at

09.05.2006,