Explorer Melanie spent five days road-tripping around the stunning Taranaki region AKA New Zealand’s best outdoor playground.

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From relaxing pit stops along Surf Highway 45 to some of the most beautiful scenic hikes under the stunning Taranaki Maunga/mountain, this itinerary uncovers the best of this breathtaking region.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Taranaki Itinerary Facts

Distance: 1,185km travelled
Duration: 5 days
Start and End Points: Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland – return to Taranaki

 

About the Taranaki Road Trip

Taranaki has everything from an adventure-filled day out on the mountain to events surrounding the New Plymouth CBD, plus unmatched surf and foodie hot spots!

I hit the best places for you to visit, stay, and explore such as the famous Pouākai Tarns that encapsulate New Zealand’s most beautiful volcano, to taking it all in from afar on the many beaches and coastal walkways in the sunshine. There’s magic in every corner of this epic coastal town.

Read more: Packing List for Day Hikes

Go from coast

to canopy

Day One

11am – Drive from Auckland to Taranaki

With an adventure-filled week ahead in Taranaki, I picked up my rental car and eagerly hit the road down the central North Island to Taranaki.

 

4pm – Check in at One Burgess Hill

I arrived in sunny Taranaki and headed straight to One Burgess Hill, a peaceful retreat just seven minutes from New Plymouth’s CBD.

 

A great place to stretch the legs

 

After meeting my host, Andrew, I dropped my bags and enjoyed the stunning riverside views – an ideal spot to settle into the adventure-filled days ahead.

 

6pm – Dinner at Shining Peak Brewery

Dinner took me to Shining Peak Brewery where I sampled a few craft beers before settling on two favorites to pair with their delicious smoked snapper sliders. Their commitment to giving 5% of profits back to the community made every sip even better – cheers to another hazy!

 

8:30pm – Wander the Festival of Lights

During summer, Taranaki hosts a top light festival within Pukekura Park, a stunning 52-hectare botanical garden and public park in the heart of New Plymouth. After dinner, I headed out at sunset to explore light displays by local and international artists.

The TSB Festival of Lights offers free entry and stunning displays to inspire awe. My favourite was the Rose Garden, a beautiful untouched bouquet.

Explore the full line up of light installations

Across 52 hectares of botanical gardens

Day Two

7:30am – Breakfast at Ozone Coffee

An early start had me bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the day ahead, starting at Ozone Coffee for a light breakfast. All of Ozone’s coffee beans are roasted on-site and available for purchase. I enjoyed a peanut butter and banana crumpet before heading on the first adventure of the day.

 

Starting the day here

 

8:30am – Hike to Pouākai Tarns

I drove to the Mangorei Trailhead car park to hike to the Pouākai Tarns. The intermediate hike climbs gradually, reaching the ridgeline through the native forest.

 

Picture perfect Pouakai Track

 

After about an hour, I emerged to views over New Plymouth and the ridges before Taranaki Maunga revealed itself above the tarns.

With Jetplanes in hand (a famous Kiwi lolly for the uninitiated), I refuelled and chatted with travellers admiring the maunga/mountain’s beauty and the region.

 

4pm – Roam Back Beach and Climb Paritutu Rock

After a reset at One Burgess Hill, I headed to Back Beach to soak up the sun and dip my toes in the ocean. Back Beach offers stunning views in every direction.

You can descend via steep dunes or a staircase to relax and enjoy. Paritutu Rock overlooks the beach and offers a 20-minute scramble with secured chains to a 360-degree view of the beach, Taranaki Maunga, and the Tasman Sea. The views are breathtaking, and so is the wind!

 

Skipping along Back Beach

 

6pm – Dinner at Liardet Street Projects

Dinner was up next at a hidden spot on Liardet Street. Liardet Street Projects hosts multiple food trucks offering various cuisines. The Poke Bowls from Kahakai Poke Bowls hit the spot after a day of adventure!

 

Ready for a good meal after adventuring

 

8pm – Watch Sunset at Lake Mangamahoe

I ended the day watching the sunset over Taranaki Maunga from Lake Mangamahoe.

I took a short walk from the car park to the lookout point, with views over the lake, framed by lush flora, fauna, and the majestic Taranaki Maunga. The staggering view from every angle is unparalleled.

 

 

Lake Mangamahoe with views to Taranaki

Day Three

7:30am – Check Out and Enjoy Breakfast at Dawn in Ōakura

Today was a day for the coast! I kickstarted with an early checkout and a drive to Dawn in Ōakura for a spot of coffee and breakfast. This restored church has the best cheese and jalapeno scones on the market!

 

Cute little brekkie spot

 

9:00am – Explore Surf Highway 45 from Lucy’s Gully Picnic Ground to Dawsons Falls

Ōakura is the gateway to Surf Highway 45 which meant I was off to explore the coast and check out some of the best places on a cheeky roadie. The first must-do is Lucy’s Gully where I roamed the many walks on offer to soak in the elegance of the beautiful Redwood forest that encapsulates this area.

From here I took the short drive to the coast down Lower Weld Road to the beach. After a short walk, I found myself exploring the wreck of the SS Gairloch that was grounded in 1903 – an incredible century-old wreck worth exploring!

 

11:30am – Hike to Te Rere o Noke/Dawson Falls and Wilkies Pools

Next was a visit to the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre to hike the loop to Te Rere o Noke/Dawson Falls and Wilkies Pools. I arrived in clouds but found many people enjoying the misty trails.

 

Storybook strolling

 

Through magical goblin forests and along paved walkways, the track led to Te Rere o Noke/Dawson Falls and Wilkies Pools, carved by an eruption over 200,000 years ago. My rain jacket was essential for taking in these historic features.

 

3pm – Check in at Kaitake Kabana

After exploring Surf Highway 45, I headed back to Ōakura to an oasis just outside town, the Kaitake Kabana, at the foothills of the Kaitake Ranges.

 

Enjoyed staying at this cabin!

 

6:30pm – Dinner at Black Sand Pizzeria

To end the day, I had dinner at Black Sand Pizzeria and Bistro on Ōakura Beach. Watching the sunset with a hazy that was cold and crisp, paired with ceviche, Neapoli-style margarita pizza, and chats with the chefs, the day ended perfectly.

 

Can confirm, spot has been hit

Day Four

9am – Coffee at Bleached Coffee

My last full day in Taranaki started with breakfast at Bleached Coffee. Their avo and jalapeno bagel, a crowd favourite, paired perfectly with coffee in the sunshine and chats with locals.

 

10am – Hire Bikes and Ride the Coastal Walkway

Chaddy’s Charters offers bikes, paddleboards, and coastal charters. I rented a bike from Tonyto explore Te Rewa Rewa Bridge along the 13km Coastal Walkway.

During my 30-minute ride along the ocean, I passed surf clubs, coffee shops, and swim spots before reaching the beautifully-designed bridge, perfectly framing Taranaki Maunga in the distance.

Perfect day for a coast bike cruise

Thanks Chaddy’s

11:30am – Travel to Stratford and the Stratford Plateau

After a bike ride, I cruised to Stratford for my second coffee of the day (Taranaki knows how to put on a good brew) and roam around the township before heading to the Stratford Plateau on Taranaki Maunga to start my hike to the breathtaking Manganui Gorge Bridge and Manganui ski field.

 

1pm – Hike to the Manganui Gorge Bridge

My hiking shoes were on and I was itching to hit the trail to Manganui Gorge Bridge. From the Plateau Car Park, this short and rewarding 20-minute walk leads up a ridge and rounds a corner to the first views of the bridge. I was in awe of the entire area.

 

20 minutes and your view is this!

 

From the impeccable architecture and design of the bridge to the gorge which it stretches across, the scale and beauty of these natural and human-built features are truly epic and spark your imagination.

The ski field is a short walk from the bridge which typically operates during the winter season from late June to early October depending on snowfall but is a great place to explore in the summer months.

 

6pm – Dinner at Public Kitchen

To wrap up the day I headed to Public Kitchen to fill the gap with a juicy burger from their menu. Add on fries or even try the gelato – the perfect feed for a day spent exploring the coast and mountains.

Day Five

9am – Travel back to Auckland

After four stunning days in the Taranaki region, – and with my cup well and truly full -, it was time to check out and take the 5.5-hour scenic drive through the central North Island back to Auckland. A bittersweet moment farewelling the magic of Taranaki, but I can’t wait to return soon to discover more of what this region has to offer.

FAQs Taranaki Road Trip

When is the best time of year to visit the Taranaki area?

A summer road trip would help you engage with the best bits of this region. While it’s the North Island, it’s still pretty south in the scheme of things. It won’t be overly humid if you want to hike, and you can still enjoy a sunny swim at the beach! But the area can be visited all year round – spot the snowy peak of Taranaki in winter!

Do I need a 4WD to complete this trip?

Nope! This trip isn’t on any 4WD tracks. Hatchbacks, it’s safe to come out now!

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