Discover New Plymouth, Taranaki

About our flights to New Plymouth

Air New Zealand operates daily non-stop flights to New Plymouth from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, with connections across the New Zealand domestic network. With all our New Zealand domestic airfares you can choose seat, seat+bag, flexichange or flexirefund fare types. Flexichange gives you the flexibility to change your flight with no change fees while flexirefund is fully refundable. Find out more about our New Zealand domestic seat options.

Where to go and what to see in Taranaki

The Taranaki region, with New Plymouth as its main city, is an inspired holiday destination for those who love surf, food, art, music events, and adventurous hikes. Overlooking everything is Taranaki Maunga, a giant stratovolcano that's quietly sleeping beneath his snowy blanket.

As the story goes, Taranaki Maunga once lived with the other volcanic mountains of the central North Island - Tongariro, Ruapehu, and Ngauruhoe. They were great mates. But Taranaki fell in love with a little female peak called Pihanga, who happened to be the wife of Tongariro. After losing a fiery battle with Tongariro, Taranaki retreated from the central plateau. His falling tears created the mighty Whanganui River as he fled to the west coast.

Choose a trail on Taranaki Maunga

Wherever you go in New Plymouth you can feel the mountain watching, so give in to his magnetism and explore Taranaki Maunga and the Egmont National Park/Te Papakura of Taranaki, less than an hour's drive from the city. There are easy half-hour tracks and there are epic adventures – such as the Pouākai Circuit, a three-day loop route, or Wilkies Pools, a family-friendly walk to natural plunge pools. If you decide to hike to the summit of Taranaki Maunga, go in summer with an experienced guide as weather conditions can change quickly.

Many of the trails start near the Department of Conservation visitor centre at the top of Egmont Road. Here you can get expert advice on the best trail for the type of walk you have in mind. Local companies offer a wide range of safe and informative guided hiking tours, including transport to and from the mountain.

Surf, swim and soak up the sun

Fitzroy Beach, right in New Plymouth city, has a great surf break for all levels of experience. If the swells are big, however, it's best left to the experts. The local surf lifesaving club patrols the beach in summer; swimming between the flags will keep you safe. Long and wide, like most Taranaki beaches, Fitzroy is ideal for seaside walks or relaxing in the sun.

Ōakura Beach, 15 minutes south of New Plymouth, is another local favourite - especially with families and beginner surfers. It's patrolled by surf lifesavers in summer and has handy food and drink options on the beachfront. Local surf schools provide lessons and coaching at all levels, along with all the gear you'll need.

Taranaki's Surf Highway 45 runs south between New Plymouth to Hāwera past 105km of beautiful black-sand beaches, including Back Beach. The beaches feature surf breaks ranging from perfect for beginners to deeply satisfying for seasoned experts. The highway is also a top driving route for scenery, serenity, and excellent local food.

Enjoy art, food and festivals

New Plymouth is an arty city, so make sure you visit the Govett Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre - New Zealand's only true museum of contemporary art. The Centre celebrates Len Lye, who pioneered kinetic sculpture and filmmaking in the 20th century. His iconic work is also found beyond the gallery walls, with the 48-metre-high Wind Wand, that can be seen swooping and swaying in the breeze as you stroll along New Plymouth's coastal walkway.