Taranaki – Guide for Backpackers

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Mt Taranaki and Egmont National Park

In the heart of Taranaki looms the magnificent volcanic cone: Mt Taranaki. It is a reminder of the Maori legend where Mt Taranaki was banished here after losing a battle with Mt Tongariro in the centre of the North Island.

Today, backpackers enjoy the recreational activities the mountain and national park has to offer, such as hiking, mountaineering and skiing. See our Egmont National Park Guide for Backpackers and 6 Hikes You Have to do in Egmont National Park! for some ‘sweet as’ ideas.

© Venture Taranaki

New Plymouth

New Plymouth is a coastal town with a contemporary art and surf fascination.

Art in New Plymouth

Far from your dusty displays of ancient art galleries, the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is a mix of the bizarre and inspiring modern art from the architecture to its exhibitions. The kinetic art of Len Lye can also be seen here, including the Wind Wand on the Coastal Walkway (see below). Puke Ariki is another architectural marvel. It is a library, visitor centre and museum for the cultural history of Taranaki. What’s more, all of the above is free!

From the big cultural attractions to the underground scene. Pop-up galleries, gigs and free cultural events happen almost weekly in the cultural hub of New Plymouth. Keep up-to-date of live music gigs, usually with a pot luck dinner, on the Pop Up Gigs Network – [Update: This event is no longer running]. (Get ideas for your pot luck dinner in our article: 5 Potluck Dinner Recipes for Backpackers). The Jetcharm Barber Shop is a quirky and unique space for a community gallery with a gallery event every first Thursday of the month at 6.30pm.

Surf, Bars and Parks in New Plymouth

Breakwater Bay is the core for Taranaki activities for fishing, charters and bike hire, helicopter tours of Mt Taranaki, and yachting. The bay itself is a good place to get some beach hours in. Fitzroy Beach is a renowned surf beach easily accessible from the city centre, while Back Beach is a 5-minute drive from town with more challenging waves.

Night owls should head down Devon Street for bars and clubs. It’s easy to find a variety of great eats too, especially with affordable lunchtime deals.

On the other end of the scale, central New Plymouth has the peaceful Pukekura Park and Brooklands Park. If you visit in summer make sure to catch the Festival of Lights. The natural amphitheatre music bowl in Brooklands Park, which is also magically lit up, is the perfect location for live onstage performances!

For more things to do in New Plymouth, check out 10 Free or Cheap Things to do in New Plymouth, 8 Wonderful Walks in New Plymouth, Taranaki and New Plymouth – Guide for Backpackers.

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Coastal Walkway

Take in the coastal views of the Tasman Sea on the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway! This 12.7km (7.9-mile) journey goes past two surf beaches Fitzroy and East End. Stone carvings, kinetic art like the Wind Wand, and the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge designed like a breaking wave or whale skeleton, also add flavour to this award-winning walkway.

Situated in New Plymouth, the Coastal Walkway is a very accessible track perfect for walking, wheelchairs, biking and skating.

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Stratford

Around the other side of Mt Taranaki from New Plymouth is the Shakespeare obsessed Stratford. 27 of Shakespeare’s plays can be found on the street names around town. A large glockenspiel stands on Broadway. At 10am, 1pm, 3pm and 7pm Romeo and Juliet emerge on the balcony to do a 5-minute performance.

Stratford International Speedway races take place during summer (see our guide to the NZ seasons here). This is close circuit stockcar racing.

If you’re looking for something a little slower, a stroll in Victoria Park or King Edward Park or a swim in the heated pool complex are some other options.

See more attractions in 10 Things to Do in Stratford.

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Surf Highway 45

Starting from New Plymouth ending in the north of Hawera, the 105km (65-mile) Surf Highway 45 is the perfect road trip for surfers! It is worth stopping at the following beaches for surfing, swimming, fishing or a BBQ:

• Ohawe
• Kaupokonui
• Opunake
• Oakura
• Back Beach

There are plenty of cafes for a coffee stop along the way. Another highlight of the trip includes the SS Gairlock wreck at the end of Timaru Road. Stop off at the Taranaki Thermal Spa if you are feeling weary from all the surfing. Check out the full list of fun stuff to see at 15 Places to Stop at on Taranaki’s Surf Highway 45.

Not detailed enough for you? We went all out on the highways here: The North Island Scenic State Highways.

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South Taranaki

South Taranaki covers the southern part of the Taranaki region starting from Eltham and Opunake and ending around Waverly in the south. Full of quirky towns, great surf and plenty of hikes, you must include South Taranaki in your New Zealand road trip!

South Taranaki holds gems like Manaia, the “Bread Capital of New Zealand” – a town that actually smells like bread. Eltham is like stepping into another time, while Patea holds a fascinating free-entry museum, the Aotea Utanganui Museum of South Taranaki. For more towns you can’t miss, check out 6 Towns You Can’t Miss in South Taranaki.

Keen walkers will find plenty of places to stretch their legs in South Taranaki. The Opunake Walkway is a must with awesome views of Mt Taranaki. There are a couple of lake walks worth checking out too, which you can find out more about in 5 Walks You Can’t Miss in South Taranaki.