If you head to Taranaki, the stunning views of Mount Taranaki are not to be missed. But even if you don’t get the clear, sunny weather for a perfect view, there are plenty of excellent places to visit around Taranaki – like Tongaporutu, New Plymouth’s coastal walk and bikeways, Pukerua Park, and Oakura.
Tongaporutu
The Three Sisters is a must-visit location on the West Coast of the North Island, at the end of the Tongaporutu River mouth – and it’s gorgeous even in bad weather. There are several places around New Zealand with amazing cliffs, sea caves, natural arches and tunnels, and the Three Sisters is one of them. The original Elephant Rock is now gone, and the triangular arch that replaced it for a while, but the ocean is busily working on another one.
The parking area for Three Sisters is immediately off SH3, and it’s less than an hour from New Plymouth. You need a low tide to access the river mouth, and make sure you have plenty of time to explore towards White Cliffs.
Waiti and White Cliffs
Waiti is a small beach to the south of White Cliffs, just off Pukearuhe Road. If you continue down Pukearuhe Road, you’ll find the start of the White Cliffs Walkway, which is about three hours return. You can walk to Wai Pingao Stream, then to the beach. Beware of the tide if you want to walk back along the beach, as the surf hits the cliffs at high tide.
New Plymouth walk
To explore New Plymouth, you can walk or bike from Paritutu (the big prominent rock at the east end of the port that sits with the Sugar Loaf Islands) to the New Plymouth airport west of the city.
If the weather is calm and you feel up for some adventure, start with a climb up Paritutu – it’s steep and there’s a chain to help on the second half. After Paritutu, wander as far as you like along the coast to the west. You’ll pass the port, New Plymouth city centre, the amazing Len Lye Centre, coastal installations and art works, surfing at East End Beach, and the Waiwhakaiho Bridge. On a clear day, the bridge lines up with Mount Taranaki.
Pukekura Park
There are many beautiful city parks around New Zealand, and Pukekura Park in New Plymouth is one of the loveliest. It has an eclectic mix of native and large exotic trees, and the walk around the lake is a standout with fantastic reflections, even on a dull day.
Oakura
Oakura is south of New Plymouth and has a beautiful north-western facing surf beach. At the north end, you have a good view of Paritutu and the Sugar Loaf Islands in the far distance. Try to be there at sunset!
Mount Taranaki
While our trip to Taranaki was overcast, we did manage to get a brief glimpse of Mount Taranaki at sunset. The view transitioned from shrouded in storm clouds with rain reflected sun-rays, to full colour effects.
Want more Taranaki trip ideas?
Check out our recent posts on Dawson Falls and the King Country to Taranaki road trip.