LIVE Holiday Guide
Taranaki is currently on track to win the sunniest region of New Zealand for the third time in five years. With sunny skies, world-class surf beaches and an accessible, almost perfect cone-like mountain, visitors are increasingly discovering why locals live here.
We gathered together our team’s top tips to make the most of each day … no matter what the weather has in store.
On fine, calm days, heading to the beach is a must.
You can usually catch a wave in the region somewhere along Surf Highway 45 that runs roughly parallel to the Taranaki coastline from New Plymouth to Hawera. A myriad of adjacent roads lead intriguingly to the many surf breaks that give the highway its name.
Mornings are usually the best time to hit the beach.
By the afternoon the wind tends to turn onshore, sometimes to a sand-blasting intensity, but mostly, just a bit annoying. Unless you’re a kite-surfer — then the howling westerlies are nirvana.
In New Plymouth, Fitzroy and East End beaches are both excellent options when the breeze is south or south-easterly, while Oakura and Back Beach are great with an easterly or nor’easter.
Westerlies are a great time to drag out your kite-surfing and wind-surfing apparatus, or head to a river to cool off.
The Waiwhakaiho offers great cliff jumping at Meeting of the Waters, Merrilands and at the end of Rimu Street at a place the locals have dubbed ‘Telecoms’ — a scarily high leap into the water below.
There is also a lovely long clear stretch of river here that makes for a great place to swim some long ‘lengths’ but without a painted line at the bottom.
Corbett Park out at Oakura offers some shallow water for the kids and Stony River at Okato has the coldest river water in the region. The water is so clear it fizzes as it funnels down through the rocks that give it its name. You can find your own little pool that’s just the right size for your group.
FAMILY DAY OPTIONS
Ngamotu Beach by the port is ideal for families and people who don’t want surf. Sheltered by the breakwater this is New Plymouth’s only calm beach. There’s also a playground, shady trees and grass with picnic tables, space to throw a ball or play some low-key cricket, free barbecues you can use and the ice-cream truck is there most days.
Destination Kāwaroa by the Aquatic Centre is another free attraction. It’s the most amazing playground right by the sea, with sensory, water and educational aspects throughout, exercise areas, walking and biking tracks, plus a great little cafe.
Next door, the Aquatic Centre boasts one of New Zealand’s few remaining 50m long outdoor pools, along with a toddlers’ pool, learners’ pool and diving pool. There’s inside swimming too, a wave machine, spa pools and water slides, plus a cafe.
Take the tribe for a walk or bike ride along the Coastal Walkway. Pack a picnic, water bottles and togs and enjoy a day out with the family — cycling, swimming and discovering the playgrounds, swimming spots and cafes along its 13km length.
East End Skate Park is right by East End Beach with a relaxing outdoor cafe across the road. The skating rink is next door making this is a great place to take your kids and their wheeled Christmas presents.
Pukekura Park offers an amazing playground, duck-feeding, cafes and ice-creams, The Fernery, rowboats on the lake, a fountain and a waterfall. Walk right through the park to the Bowl of Brooklands and once the kids have tired of rolling down the hill, visit the Brooklands Zoo (at the top of said hill). Along with all the critters there is another fab playground.
Festival of Lights is a must-do at least one night — see story page 20
TARANAKI ROAD TRIPS
Do a complete circuit of the mountain (170kms) — you can pack a lot into the roughly 16 hours of daylight (5am — 9pm) we get here in the summer. Head to the coast first and start down Surf Highway 45, before the wind gets up too much, and return via SH3 through Hawera, Eltham, Stratford and inglewood.
With funky cafes, access to the Egmont National Park (and Pukeiti gardens), various walkways, the Cape Egmont Lighthouse, Parihaka Pa and Yarrows’ famous bakery at Manaia, the coast offers plenty to see and do.
Pick up a Surf Highway 45 brochure from PukeAriki i-SITE, and info on the four towns — King Edward Park in Hawera is a great spot to take the kids with its Wendy Statue (that’s ‘Wendy’ from Peter Pan) and Sound Mirrors.
Eltham is a hotspot for some cool antiques and second-hand shops, while Inglewood has the Fun Ho! Toy Museum.
Stratford has a multitude of attractions (see pages 22 & 23) and is a logical place to stop at on your way to the Forgotten World Highway or Mt Taranaki.
MOUNT TARANAKI
The new Manganui Gorge Suspension Bridge across to the ski field on Mt Taranaki is a landmark worth going to see — day or night. If you go during the day you can tie it in with activities in Stratford.
The trip up Mt Taranaki to The Tarns is a decent hike (allow a good half day there and back) and the ever-expanding parking area at the top of Mangorei Road indicates its popularity. You’ll meet a lot of people heading up or back and you usually have to queue to get the obligatory shot of the mountain peak reflected in the water. But it’s all good natured and the views make it worthwhile. Plus you also get to see the newly opened and expanded Pouakai Hut.
Wilkies Pools with its natural rock slide and very refreshing water (yes, we mean REALLY cold) is popular with hardy kids and teens.
ICONIC TARANAKI ACTIVITIES
Christmas at the Bowl is a terrific family experience that culminates in a magnificent fireworks extravaganza. It’s on Sunday 21st December 2025 and gates open at 5pm with pre-show entertainment from 6.30pm and Taranaki’s largest variety show from 8.00pm. A fun, family night to celebrate the festive season. Picnics welcome with food vendors on site. Gold coin donation.
Climbing to the top of Paritutu is something every able-bodied resident and visitor should do at least once. There are great views (see photo P46 & 47) and it’s a little bit of adventure that takes less than an hour. You might even see some seals in the Marine Reserve below.
Check out entertainment options at this years Festival of Lights (see pages 20 and 21) and schedule a trip to see a concert at The Bowl of Brooklands (see pages 18 & 19).
Walk along the sand from Back Beach to Oakura (only ever do on a low outgoing tide). It’s a distance of about 8kms and takes around 3 hours, and of course, you’ll need to sort a ride back into town.
The Coastal Walkway is a beacon for all ages and there is plenty to see and do along here: the Wind Wand, Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, the Bike Park and BMX track at Bell Block and the wetlands and lagoon just beyond them.
WET DAY OPTIONS (or just escape from the sun)
Puke Ariki is a fabulous free option to learn about the region’s history and see current exhibitions.
Stock up on some summer reading at the library.
Try out Laser Tag, mini putt or ten pin bowling at Bowlarama, or do one of the escape rooms at in town — we’ve done them all and they’re a blast.
Govett Brewster Art Gallery and the Len Lye Centre are always worth a look, while the local Farmers Market operates every Sunday morning along Currie Street in the CBD.
Check out this issue’s feature on the Taranaki Food and Drink Awards (starts P29) to get a heads up on the best cafes, bars and restaurants to head this summer. There are some wonderful options to while away a wet afternoon or evening with friends.