About New Plymouth and Taranaki
New Plymouth is the largest city in the Taranaki region. Because it is beside the sea, there is our beautiful coastline to explore. There are great beaches for walking, swimming or surfing. New Plymouth is nestled between the sea and a volcano - our majestic Mount Egmont / Taranaki. This is a very accessible mountain with good road access. There are magnificent views as well as a wide variety of walks both in the bush and higher up the mountain. Experienced climbers can climb to the top in a day if the conditions allow.
New Plymouth has lots of other activities including: dining and shopping, art galleries, Pukekura Park, lifeboat trips to the Sugar Loaf Islands and maritime museum, pearl farm and jewelers, mineral pools, a winery, and a boutique brewery, helicopter flights, beautiful
gardens and parks to visit including Pukeiti, Tupare & Hollard Gardens, historic buildings, Lake Managmahoe and Rotomanu, transport museum, Paritutu Rock, horse trekking, golf, mountain biking, diving, 10 pin bowling, indoor and outdoor bowls, skating, scooting, rollerblading or skateboarding, aquatic centre, movies and just stunning scenery!
Activities in the surrounding Taranaki region include: Tawhiti Museum, Taranaki Pioneer Museum, Dairyland, Fun Ho Toy Museum, The Elvis House, Dam Dropping, White Cliffs Walkway, Surf Highway 45 from Opunake to New Plymouth, Lost Highway 43 from Stratford to Taumaranui, Scenic State Highway 3 from Piopio to New Plymouth, Mokau River cruises, whitebaiting on the Mokau River and the Motonui Energy plant.
Festivals
- Mid December - early February: The Festival of the Lights at Pukekura Park
- Late October - early November: Rhododendron Festival
- February / March every two years: Festival of the Arts
- November: Round the Mountain Fun Run
There's something for everyone in Taranaki - so come and see us soon!
