New Plymouth – Guide for Backpackers

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Surfing in New Plymouth

Surfing could never be so convenient. The surf beach of Fitzroy is well within walking distance on the west side of New Plymouth city centre. Access is from Beach Street or along the Coastal Walkway. Talk to any local or any long-termers staying in your hostel and their day is likely to end with a surf. The surf here is good for all levels of experience.

On the east side of town, tucked behind the towering Paritutu Rock, you have Back Beach. Usually offering bigger waves than Fitzroy. From then on, surfers have the luxury of the whole Surf Highway 45 ahead of them where almost every beach has surf.

Oakura, just 10-minutes drive out of New Plymouth has a number of breaks (on a good swell). It’s also worth checking out the break at the end Timaru Road, on the north end of the beach. (Yes, you’ll see a shipwreck on this beach too)!

Kayaking and Stand-up Paddleboarding in New Plymouth

For more ways to get out on the water, go on a kayaking tour to the Sugar Loaf Islands where seals are known to join kayakers on their journey or hire a stand-up paddleboard for a paddle in the sheltered waters of Port Taranaki from Ngamotu Beach. Alternatively, Lake Rotomanu is popular with stand-up paddleboarders.

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New Plymouth’s Art Scene

When you initially hear about New Plymouth, it’s likely that Mt Taranaki and the surf have stolen the limelight. However, when walking around the centre of New Plymouth, it becomes very obvious that the art scene is huge here! Spray-painted murals cover buildings, from colourful native birds of New Zealand to abstract art. Every year, new murals appear around the city centre thanks to the Get Up Festival, where crowds can watch the street art live.

The festival usually happens during the Taranaki Anniversary (see more in Public Holidays in New Zealand).

Sculptures and Art Galleries in New Plymouth

A number of sculptures can be seen across the city, the most famous of which is Len Lye’s Wind Wand, a kinetic art piece on the Coastal Walkway. Watch this 40m structure sway in the wind! Len Lye is a big name in the New Zealand art world, to which a lot of his work can be viewed in the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery on the corner of Queen Street and Devon Street West. It’s ok to be drawn to the contemporary art gallery by its striking mirror-like exterior because its entry fee is very reasonable! Exhibitions change three times a year, so expect the unexpected!

Pop-up Galleries in New Plymouth

From large galleries to small galleries, a walk around the city centre will inspire you to walk into buildings with “Pop-up Gallery” signs. KINA NZ Design + Art Space is a shop/art gallery with regular exhibition opening nights. Go down for drinks and celebrate some local talent! Similarly, the Gallery at Jetcharm on the corner of Egmont Street and Ariki Street puts the “hidden” in “hidden gem” as the small community gallery sits in the back of the barbershop and up the stairs. (Just go into the barbershop and ask to see the gallery). The gallery, which was established by a working holidaymaker from the US, holds an opening party every first Thursday of the month. Not only is it a social event to meet locals and fellow travellers, but you may even be inspired to submit your own artwork!

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Cultural Events in New Plymouth

Music, festivals, art, food, history: whatever is your cultural jam, you’re likely to find a part of it in New Plymouth. Check out the free-entry Puke Ariki Museum on Ariki Street. The museum is packed with natural and social history exhibitions from the Taranaki region. See bones from whales and moas, an extinct bird species from New Zealand. Learn about the fascinating Maori history of the region, as well as the story behind Mt Taranaki. Plus, there’s free WiFi at the museum!

For a light show like no other, time your visit to New Plymouth with The Festival of Lights between mid-December and mid-January. Pukakura Park, a city park which is stunning on its own, is lit up with amazing light shows, as well as being the host of live gigs and cultural events.

[Update: Pop-Up Gigs Network is no longer operating]. For a cheap music gig and general good vibes, keep an eye on the Pop-Up Gigs Network Facebook page. Anytime, any place, a gig will be held somewhere in the city where everyone is invited to bring some food for a pot luck dinner and mingle while listening to some good tunes. (Try these 5 Potluck Dinner Recipes for Backpackers).

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Walks in New Plymouth

The one that’s on everybody’s list is the Coastal Walkway. 12.7km (8-mile) of New Plymouth’s coastline is dedicated to putting one foot in front of the other, featuring Len Lye’s Wind Wand, a hilarious road sign, the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge and much more! Although many people like to walk the walkway, we recommend hiring a bike to complete the entire coastal walkway.

Easily accessible from the city centre, it is well worth walking around Pukekura Park with lakes, a waterfall, gardens, a waterwheel and several lookouts. It’s impossible to get a bad picture on many of the bushwalks nestled in this park.

Finally, conquer the steepest 10-minute hike you’re likely to ever experience at Paritutu Rock. The rock created by Mt Taranaki’s volcanic activity can easily be seen at the west side of the city, so walk to it on the Coast Walkway, drive to it and park at the car park beneath it on Paritutu Road, or take a bus to Paritutu Road on weekdays. The short hike reveals an amazing vantage point over New Plymouth, the Sugar Loaf Islands, Back Beach, Mt Taranaki, and you can even see the central North Island volcanoes of Ruapehu from here.

The list of walks in New Plymouth goes on, so check out our 8 Wonderful Walks in New Plymouth, Taranaki for more walking inspiration close to the city.

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Mt Taranaki and Egmont National Park

The big one. Mt Taranaki, the central volcano in the Taranaki region, is surrounded by the heavily forested Egmont National Park. New Plymouth is a great base for hikes in the national park, with mountain shuttle services and good road connections to the mountain.

There are hikes from North Egmont, the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre, and a ski field and more hike in East Egmont. The closest national park access to New Plymouth is down Egmont Road to North Egmont. Or visit some of the lesser-known areas of the national park, for instance, down Surf Highway 45 at Lucys Gully, or along Carrington Road.

For a full list of hikes in the Egmont National Park, check out Egmont National Park Guide for Backpackers and 6 Hikes You Have to do in Egmont National Park!