Location: Taranaki Region
Top Things to do in Taranaki Region
The 10 Best Things to do in Taranaki Region, North Island
Discover the best top things to do in Taranaki Region, New Zealand including Pukekura Park, New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, Tawhiti Museum, Dawson Falls, Mount Taranaki, Pukeiti, Forgotten World Highway, Sugar Loaf Islands and Paritutu Rock, Brooklands Zoo, Wilkies Pools Loop Track.
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. New Plymouth Coastal Walkway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,675 reviews
Utterly spectacular 11km long walkway along the seafront in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Walk, ride skate or scoot from Bell Block in the north to Port Taranaki to the south taking in the stunning Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, three swimming beaches, a golf club, rolling farm land, rivers and various accessways to residential and shopping areas.
Reviewed By 562grahamb - Napier, New Zealand
The New Plymouth Costal Walkway is a pedestrian and cycleway goes for miles and miles...8 miles to be exact. It’s easy to walk manageable pieces, there are numerous parking lots and public washrooms along the way. There are lots of delights along the way, including surfers, friendly Kiwis walking their dogs, a golf course, the famous Len Lee’s “Wind Wand” sculpture and the spectacularly shaped Te Rewa Rewa Bridge crossing Waiwhakaiho River at the northern end. We had several wonderful excursions during our stay. New Plymouth is to be commended for making exercising, the easy choice.
3. Tawhiti Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 393 reviews
Tawhiti MuseumWidely acclaimed as one of the most innovative museums in New Zealand, Tawhiti uses life size exhibits and scale models to capture the past in a series of super-realistic displays. All the displays – including the life size figures created from moulds cast from real people – are designed and built on the premises. Whether the subject is shipping, farming, railways, or just a small corner of a colonial kitchen, the attention given to research and detail is the same. “I hope my enthusiasm for local history comes through the displays. I’m particularly aware of drawing children into our exhibits – they mustn’t feel museums are old buildings, full of old dusty junk. Historical display should be exciting and relevant – I’m always looking for more creative ways of making it just that” Nigel Ogle.
Reviewed By sheepgalore - Paihia, New Zealand
This has to be the best museum in NZ. You need the entire day to fully appreciate the uniqueness of the displays, the social history of Taranaki, the wars fought in the area, the Traders and Whalers boat ride and experience through underground rivers and enjoy tea at the charming tea room. The detail in the many dioramas is exceptional and cannot be described. The interesting information explained in an innovative way...absolutely wonderful. Make time for this experience.
4. 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.
5. Mount Taranaki
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 567 reviews
Reviewed By hannahz905 - Christchurch, New Zealand
An overnight trip to Pouakai Tarn: We originally planned to stay at Pouakai Hut for two nights, and actually we stayed only one night, as we were lucky to see all the view which we wanted to see. At that time, even the weather forecast was not good on Metservice one day before, but it turned out the weather was good most of time. We forgot it was a full moon period, so we didn’t get a chance to take milkyway which was a pity. Check Metservice – Egmount National Park weather ahead, but it is not 100% reliable. The route we took: Mangorei Road car park --2 to 3 hours--> Pouakai Hut—20 mins --> Pouakai Tarn We took most normal overnight camping gears (except tent), torch, food, filtered bottle, waterproof matches, gas, four seasons wearing staff, camera gears, tripod, hiking poles, wet wipe, tissues. Hut tickets (available in Kathmandu shop) The hut (first in first service, it was full at the end) provided sleeping mattresses, water (drinking water requires boiled), toilet, toilet paper…Our phone could even connect to 4G signal which was brilliant. No electricity available any way. By the way, all the rubbish is recommended to carry out by yourself, so rubbish bags are useful. We found the most useful things during the trip: comfortable/waterproof boots, waterproof/windproof jackets, waterproof pants, gaiters (super muddy on the way), warm hat (windy), gloves, torch, power banks for phones, jandals for walking around the hut, sun cream lotion, quick dry basic layers, socks, rubbish bags. Drive to Mangorei Road car park which is at the end of Mangorei Road. We took about 2 hours to Pouakai Hut. The track indeed has countless steps to the top, where most of time we walked in the beautiful native bush. From Pouakai Hut to Pouakai Tarn, it was about 10-20 minutes walk. Around Pouakai Tarn, there is a new wooden walking track. It did need some patience, but it was worthy. In order to protect the fragile environment, please stay on the track; please not walk/stand on the fragile vegetation; please leave your tripod on the track;
6. 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.
7. Forgotten World Highway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 426 reviews
Reviewed By Bertavv - Auckland Central, New Zealand
We did the drive from Stratford to Taumarunui in the mother-in-law's 2004 Toyota Corolla and it handled the road perfectly. I-sites at either end have a guide to the Heritage Trail as there is some very interesting history in this area. It takes you through a mixture of NZ backcountry, farmland, native bush, hills, tunnels and over saddles, with just a touch of gravel road and one-way bridges. Take your time and have a look up some of the (rare) side roads, and make sure you stop in the Republic of Whangamomona. There is currently (mid Nov 2019) a detour at the Taumarunui end of the Highway - signposted before Ohura. But when we drove down the Highway from the Taumarunui end the following day the detour was very poorly signposted.
8. Sugar Loaf Islands and Paritutu Rock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 227 reviews
Reviewed By JamieA579 - Palmerston North, New Zealand
Paritutu Rock wasn't really on our agenda to climb, but you know ! We three aged 71, 62 and 27 decided to climb the wooden steps. Well the looks between us meant lets go ! It was a reasonable challenge, though not at all unsafe. With a few more puffs we were able to get to the top and enjoy the magnificent views.
9. Brooklands Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 428 reviews
Brooklands Zoo is a FREE, family focused zoo which is home to a variety of farmyard animals, amphibians, reptiles, oriental small-clawed otters, meerkats, a brolga, Bolivian squirrel monkeys and both capuchin and cotton-top tamarin monkeys, as well as a selection of exotic parrots housed inside a walk-through free-flight aviary.
Reviewed By Oneil5star
Great place for kids and family a 5 star experience in the heart of New Plymouth and what more it’s free. Ample parking available.it is great to spend half a day for hosting a party
10. Wilkies Pools Loop Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By emileee83 - Lower Brailes, United Kingdom
Fantastic track which has been well developed and looked after. Can’t believe this is free. Cannot recommend highly enough. There is a sturdy board walk which takes you all the way there and a well developed swing bridge. Stunning flora on display. Great photo opportunities. Wouldn’t say you have to be really fit to do this. Suitable for most abilities and ages. Would recommend layers. We took a picnic to eat at the pools which was lovely. When you reach them you can climb the rocks to the top or sit at the bottom and admire the splendid views on offer. Either way you will not be disappointed. Would recommend suitable footwear for the rocks if you intend going up.
