Location: Taranaki Region
Top Things to do in Taranaki Region
The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Taranaki Region, North Island
Discover the best top things to do in Taranaki Region, New Zealand including Pukekura Park, Te Henui Walkway, Oakura Bay, Ngatoro Loop Track, Pouakai Circuit, Pouakai Crossing, Dawson Falls, Back Beach, Pukeiti, Patea Dam.
Restaurants in Taranaki Region
1. Pukekura Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,777 reviews
Pukekura Park covers 52ha (128 acres) right in the heart of New Plymouth, Taranaki and is one of New Zealand's premier botanical gardens. The park has an international Green Flag award and is a Garden of National Significance. With a diverse range of landscapes, the park features bush walks, formal gardens, lakes, children's play areas, a sports area and a Tea House. The park includes the Fernery and Display Houses as well as the adjacent garden estate area of Brooklands, home to the acclaimed TSB Bowl of Brooklands and Brooklands Zoo. As a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, Pukekura Park lights up over the summer as the backdrop for the annual TSB Bank Festival of Lights. The park is free to enter and can be accessed from various streets including Liardet Street, Brooklands Road, Fillis Street, Rogan Street, Kaimata Street and List Street.
Reviewed By Nutputter
Just a gorgeous valley of native nz bush and flowers and water features.We were taken by surprise ...first that it is free and very large so allow plenty of time ..and there is a lovely old fashioned tea rooms in the middle ...with Pukeiti ,New Plymouth is certainly blessed with lovely gardens and parks .
2. Te Henui Walkway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 96 reviews
Reviewed By picturepaints1000wds
On a hot day, this is a lovely walk around the city - away from the cars and shopping area winding its way along the stream.
3. Oakura Bay
4. Ngatoro Loop Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Gemtt - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Bush walk close to the visitors centre. Challenging for this old timer, but rewarding with views of the mountain at times.
5. Pouakai Circuit
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track
Reviewed By 2983u366w7w
Amazing circuit, we did it in reverse climbing henry's peak to the pouakai hut and then finishing off by going across to holly hut and back down the kokowai track as the holly hut track is closed. This made for a pretty hard first day and a breezy second day. Unfortunately we parked in the pouakai crossing carpark not far down from the isite due to it cutting off an hour of the new circuit (because of the holly track closure) and our camper got broken into!! I would highly recommend parking up at the isite where there are cameras and battling that extra hour.
6. Pouakai Crossing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Jenny9876543210 - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Loved this walk. Not many people doing it despite the beautiful, sunny day, so it was very peaceful. Good range of tracks through low-lying lush native bush to alpine grasslands to alpine rock vegetation. The tracks are well defined and marked. I heard that some of the tracks are going to be upgraded but we found them in good condition anyway, probably because the weather had been very dry. Having said that, you would want to be wearing decent hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers. Despite the beautiful weather, we definitely needed jackets at times - there are some exposed areas and the wind can pick up very suddenly. The short detour to the tarn was well worth it. Initially it looked very disappointing and then I realised that the reflections changed with every little light shift and it really did make for gorgeous photos. There's very little birdsong as you hike and we learned that predators have eradicated much of the bird life. There are pest traps (particularly for rats) at the sides of the tracks so we hope that this program is working and the mountain will be full of native birds again in years to come.
7. Dawson Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By john_mills_nz - Wellington, New Zealand
Very cool trees. Feels like the setting of a fantasy movie/novel. It’s well worth going down the steep steps to the base of the waterfall.
8. Back Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By RowanT113 - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Well worth a visit. Run, slide down the North end sand dunes, (take cardboard or a boogie board) on the black sand beach or just watch the local surfers. Sunset is the best time but cooler
9. Pukeiti
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 312 reviews
Explore a wonderland of rhododendrons planted within 360 hectares of rainforest, located between Mount Taranaki and the coast, just south of New Plymouth. Established in 1951, Pukeiti is an internationally recognised garden with one of the most diverse collections of rhododendrons on display anywhere in the world. Take a short garden walk or a more challenging adventure and with either, sense another world and time. Feel the spiritual significance of Pukeiti to local tangata whenua and learn some of the language, knowledge and stories which are part of the land. Find out about pioneering Europeans, passionate plant-collectors and garden-makers. Discover the property whilst doing a fun activity or make use of the facilities for a private or community event. Pukeiti is owned and managed by the Taranaki Regional Council on behalf of the people of the region. Share Pukeiti – a truly unique part of Taranaki’s heritage.
Reviewed By gracelA258PT
For those who both love connecting with nature - this lovely garden is a certain stunner - recommended visit is from July to October to witness the beauty of this world-class rhododendron collection.
