12 Best Things to do in New Plymouth & Taranaki

New Plymouth is such an underrated city in New Zealand. 

Located in Taranaki on the west coast of the North Island, this small coastal city is far from pretty much everywhere, but it’s well worth the effort it takes to get there. 

If you’re like me and love both mountains and the ocean, well—you don’t have to choose between them, as New Plymouth has got it all!

With black sand surf beaches, Taranaki Maunga (Mount Taranaki) at its doorstep, and fantastic places to eat and drink, you could easily spend weeks around New Plymouth and not run out of things to do.

I’ve been visiting New Plymouth for over a decade now, and it never ceases to charm me, to the point where I always think, “I could really live here.” 

In this guide, I’m sharing my favourite things to do in New Plymouth and the wider Taranaki region, including hikes, scenic spots, day trips, and places to eat.

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12 Best Things to Do in New Plymouth & Taranaki

1. Walk or cycle the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway

The New Plymouth Coastal Walkway is a 13.2km path that hugs the coastline from Port Taranaki to Bell Block Beach.

It’s an excellent place to go for a mellow walk or a fun bike ride.

Along the path, you’ll find the iconic Wind Wand statue and the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, which is shaped like a whale’s skeleton and frames Mount Taranaki perfectly on a clear day.

You can hire bikes from Chaddy’s Charters in Port Taranaki, or stay at a hotel with bike rentals available (The Devon has complimentary bikes and is a great spot to stay!). 

2. Hit the beach

New Plymouth is home to some seriously gorgeous black sand surf beaches. It’s easily one of my favourite beach towns in New Zealand!

My partner Ty always has fun surfing in New Plymouth when the conditions line up, whereas I’m very happy going for a swim and reading my book on the beach with snacks in hand. 

Back Beach and Fitzroy Beach are both beautiful beaches that are well worth checking out.

Just remember to wear sandals or shoes, because the black sand can get really hot on a warm day.

3. Stroll through Pukekura Park

Pukekura Park is a truly impressive park right in the heart of New Plymouth.

It’s free to visit and I highly recommend you do so when you’re in town! 

With botanic gardens, walking paths, and the Fernery and Display Houses to explore, you can easily spend hours in the park. 

It’s also a lovely spot for a picnic, or for a treat from the cute cafe in the park, the Teahouse.

4. Go hiking in Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki (Egmont National Park)

Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki (formerly known as Egmont National Park) is an incredible national park located a 30- to 45-minute drive from New Plymouth, depending on which entrance you go to.

Home to the mighty Mount Taranaki, the park is filled with wonderful hiking trails, mossy goblin forests, and epic mountain views.

I always plan to visit the national park when I’m in New Plymouth, because it’s hands down one of my favourite places in the North Island. If you’re an outdoor lover like I am, you won’t want to miss it.

There are a few different entrances to the park, all with excellent hiking trails available.

Here are my favourite day hikes in Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki!

🥾 Dawson Falls/Wilkies Pools Loop

Dawson Falls and the Wilkies Pools are two separate hikes starting from the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre car park.

However, I like to combine the two trails for a stellar 2-hour loop hike (it’s easily one of my favourite day hikes in the North Island!).

Start at the visitor centre and walk along the Kapuni Loop Track, which takes you through a dense goblin forest.

Then detour to Dawson Falls, an impressive and photogenic waterfall.

From Dawson Falls, continue on to the Ridge Track until you reach a junction for the Wilkies Pools.

The Wilkies Pools are fun to explore, and if it’s sunny out or you’re feeling brave, you might want to take a dip in their icy waters! It’s also a nice spot for a picnic.

From the Wilkies Pools, follow the well-formed track back down to the carpark.

Keep in mind that the full loop includes an unbridged stream crossing, which may be impassable after heavy rain.

🥾 Pouākai Tarns via Mangorei Track

The Mangorei Track leads you to the famous Pouākai Tarns you’ve likely seen photos of. 

On a calm, clear day, the tarns (alpine ponds) act like a mirror, creating a perfect reflection of Mount Taranaki.

You can tackle this trail as a long day hike of roughly 5 hours, but if you’re keen for an overnighter, you can also stay at the Pouākai Hut (book ahead via the DOC website). 

The hut is about 2 hours up the trail and a short walk from the tarns. 

The trail itself is steep and can get muddy in spots. The entire way to the hut and tarns is uphill, but tree cover offers shade for much of the hike (and the forest is gorgeous).

I recommend doing this hike on a clear, calm day when Mount Taranaki is visible. It’s a nice hike in and of itself, but the views are what make it really special!

🥾 Kamahi Loop Track

Walk through a magical goblin forest on the short and easy Kamahi Loop Track, located near Ngāti Ruanui Stratford Mountain House off Pembroke Road.

This walk features a lush forest where gnarled trees drip with moss and light gently filters through the foliage overhead. 

The only problem with this walk is that it’s so lovely that you’ll wish it was longer! 

I like to combine this one with the Manganui Gorge Track (see more below) for a great day out.

🥾 Manganui Gorge Track 

All I can say is that my first visit to the Manganui Gorge Track absolutely blew me away.

This track starts at the Stratford Plateau carpark at the top of Pembroke Road.

The trail leads you to an absolutely epic suspension bridge over the Manganui Gorge. In winter, this is also the access point to the Manganui Ski Field.

From the suspension bridge, you’ll get great views down the Manganui Gorge (if you dare to look down 😅) and, on a clear day, a close-up look at Mount Taranaki.

Make sure to wear layers because the weather can change quickly up here. I’d allow one hour for the full walk, not including all of the stops you’ll probably want to make for photos!

5. Get coffee & breakfast at a cafe

New Plymouth has a fantastic cafe scene, and you could easily spend your days hopping from cafe to cafe.

Here are my favourite spots for breakfast and coffee around town.

• Bleached: This cafe makes delicious bagels, coffee, and matcha. The attached shop—Crystal Cylinder—is my favourite clothing shop in New Plymouth and is well worth a look, too.
  
  
• Monica’s: With a bright and spacious interior and fresh, creative food, Monica’s is my favourite brunch spot in New Plymouth. I always envy their pink espresso machine, too.
  
  
• Billow: If you love pastries and bread, Billow will not disappoint. They make excellent croissants and cinnamon buns, and I can never leave without buying a loaf of their signature sourdough, “the Chad.”
  
  
• Ozone Coffee Roasters: Head to this bustling spot for freshly roasted coffee and fancy toast.

6. Enjoy a meal at one of New Plymouth’s restaurants

When it comes to dining out, New Plymouth punches well above its weight. There are so many good places to eat in this small city!

Here are some of my favourite places for a great meal.

• Mrs White: Head here for incredible wood-fired pizzas, an extensive craft beer list, and a fun and casual atmosphere.
  
  
• Liardet Street Projects: This food stall courtyard is such a fun place to grab a bite to eat. There are several good options, but I’m partial to a burger and fries from Gamma Rays.
  
  
• Social Kitchen: Head here for a special dinner. Social Kitchen serves up family-style meals with a focus on perfectly cooked meat dishes and delicious sides to go with. 
  
  
• The Hour Glass: Creative tapas, a huge drink menu, and a cosy, intimate vibe make this a great spot for a fun evening out. 

7. Visit a brewery

New Plymouth is home to some great breweries, so if you’re a craft beer lover, you’ll be in heaven.

I always love visiting Shining Peak Brewing, a microbrewery right in town with excellent beers and seriously good food to boot. 

Another great spot is Three Sisters Brewing, where you’ll find great craft beer and a hearty menu of burgers, tacos, and chicken wings.

8. Climb Paritutu Rock

The gravity-defying 20-minute climb up Paritutu Rock leads you to one of New Plymouth’s best views over the city and sea, with Mount Taranaki visible on a clear day.

The climb involves chains at some of the steeper sections to help you up and down the trail.

If you’re not afraid of heights, the views are worth the effort. This is a stellar sunset-watching spot, but it’s also nice in the daytime.

9. Get amazing views from the Lake Mangamahoe Lookout 

For an incredible view with little effort, head to the Lake Mangamahoe Lookout.

Lake Mangamahoe is located about a 10-minute drive from New Plymouth, just off SH3 on the way to Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki. 

On a clear day, you can get an incredible view of Mount Taranaki with the lake in the foreground. 

I’d definitely save this one for a day with good visibility when you can see Mount Taranaki (which, admittedly, often likes to hide behind the clouds!). 

There are a couple of lookouts along the picturesque lake, with this one being my favourite. You can access the lookout via a quick walk from the carpark (it takes just a few minutes).

There’s a longer loop track around the lake, too, if you’re keen for a peaceful walk.

10. Visit a museum or gallery

New Plymouth is home to some nice museums and galleries.

Puke Ariki is a combined museum and library that’s great for all ages. It’s completely free to visit and I almost always pop in when I’m in New Plymouth on a rainy day. 

The museum has some great natural history exhibitions and a beautiful Māori exhibition featuring stories and artefacts. 

There’s also a giant shark sculpture hanging from the ceiling that always slightly terrifies me 😂

If you enjoy art galleries, another place you might want to visit is the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre. 

There’s an admission fee for most visitors, but it’s worth heading over to see the building even if you don’t want to pay to go inside. It’s a striking piece of architecture, with large mirrored waves forming the exterior wall. 

11. Day trip to Tongapōrutu Beach

Tongapōrutu Beach (also known as Three Sisters Beach) is about an hour’s drive north of New Plymouth. 

This gorgeous black sand beach is a stunning spot for an adventure, with sea stacks and fossil-studded cliffs to explore. 

On a clear day, you’ll get a great view of Mount Taranaki in the distance.

The beach is located at the mouth of the Tongapōrutu River, which you’ll need to walk alongside and sometimes wade through to access the beach. 

Make sure to time your visit with low tide, or else the beach won’t be accessible. 

It’s quite a muddy and slippery walk, too, so you’ll either want to (carefully) go barefoot or wear grippy shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. I love my Tevas for this!

Just north of Tongapōrutu Beach is another gorgeous black sand beach—Rapanui Beach. 

This beach is much easier to access and it’s also worth visiting. 

The volcanic black sand here sparkles with gold flecks in the sun, and it’s a wild, untouched place for a relaxed beach walk.

12. Drive Surf Highway 45

Surf Highway 45 is a scenic coastal route stretching from New Plymouth in the north to Hāwera in the south.

While it’s popular with surfers looking for waves (as you might’ve guessed from the name!), this is also a great drive for anyone who loves beachy scenery.

Ōakura and Ōpunake are two lovely little beach towns along the route, with Ōakura being a particular favourite spot of mine. 

I love stopping for lunch in Ōakura at Black Sand Pizzeria or Holy Guacamole, followed by a relaxed beach walk. A short drive from the beach is a bit of a hidden gem, Lucy’s Gully, where you’ll find a dense stand of California redwoods to meander through.

If you’re a photographer, another great stop along Surf Highway 45 is the Cape Egmont Lighthouse. On a clear day, this is a fantastic photography spot with an epic view of Mount Taranaki behind the lighthouse.

Where to stay in New Plymouth

King & Queen Hotel Suites

This stylish King & Queen Hotel Suites is located right in the heart of New Plymouth, within easy walking distance of great places to eat and drink.

The hotel also has e-bikes for hire if you’re keen to cycle the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway.

One Burgess Hill

Located 5 km from the New Plymouth city centre, One Burgess Hill is a very peaceful place to stay, and one I always look forward to returning to.

They have gorgeous rooms overlooking the Waiwhakaiho River, and some feature luxurious bathtubs that are perfect for a post-hike soak. The onsite restaurant, Quail’s Nest, is also a great spot for a meal.

The Devon

If you’re after a budget-friendly place to stay in New Plymouth, look no further than The Devon.

Their rooms offer great value for money, and there’s a swimming pool and spa pool onsite to boot. 

They also have free bikes you can borrow for cycling the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway.

Camping in New Plymouth

If you’re after a campsite in New Plymouth for a tent or van—or a budget-friendly cabin—there are a couple of good options near town: Belt Road Seaside Holiday Park and the Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park.

Alternatively, if you’re travelling in a self-contained campervan and want to find a freedom campsite, I’d head into Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki to freedom camp at the Stratford Plateau Carpark. It’s one of my favourite freedom camping spots in the North Island. 

Just make sure you have lots of warm layers, because it can get cold up there at night.

Thanks for reading about my favourite things to do in New Plymouth!

I truly hope this has helped you plan your visit to New Plymouth, and that you end up loving the Taranaki region as much as I do.

As always, please leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback for me. I really love hearing from you!

More New Zealand travel inspiration for you

• Planning a trip to the North Island? This 2-week New Zealand North Island itinerary includes New Plymouth, along with many other great spots.