New Plymouth Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
New Plymouth showing forest scenes, a river or creek and a bridge
Taranaki’s commercial and cultural hub is known for its gardens, international arts festivals and long-distance walking tracks through natural areas offering spectacular views.

Visit New Plymouth for outstanding museums, art galleries and Māori cultural attractions. Known as the main gateway to Taranaki, the city is the ideal place to base yourself when exploring some of the region’s top natural areas.

Cycling, bushwalking and swimming are just some of the activities available in this charming city. Wander along a coastal promenade or relax on one of New Plymouth’s sandy beaches, such as the popular Fitzroy Beach. As well as restaurants and cafés with outdoor seating, the city is home to a number of great wine bars where you can sample New Zealand’s best wines.

Pukekura Park is one of the city’s most popular attractions. The 52-hectare (128-acre) park contains exquisite formal gardens, bushwalking paths and children’s playgrounds. Admire a diverse collection of indigenous and exotic flora in the park’s fernery and display houses. Pukekura Park hosts one of the country’s premier international arts festivals, WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance), in March.

The Coastal Walkway is a long-distance walking path with outstanding views of the ocean and city. The promenade is also ideal for cycling and jogging. As you make your way along this walkway take in beautiful beaches, jagged cliffs and picturesque farmland areas. Stop and admire the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, a fascinating architectural structure and a highlight of the walkway.

Spend a day exploring the city’s museums and art galleries. Govett-Brewster Art Gallery displays modern artworks and is known for its collection of works by New Zealand-born modernist filmmaker and sculptor, Len Lye. The gallery also features a cinema, a café and a museum. Stop at Puke Ariki, a combined museum and library with many artefacts relating to Taranaki’s Māori heritage.

Drive to New Plymouth from Auckland in less than 5 hours or fly into New Plymouth Airport, just 11 kilometres (7 miles) from the centre of the city. With waterfront hotels, lodges and self-catered apartments, you’ll find accommodations to suit your needs while you relax and enjoy New Plymouth.

Where to stay in New Plymouth

New Plymouth which includes tranquil scenes and mountains

New Plymouth CBD

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in New Plymouth CBD, TSB Showplace and Puke Ariki are top sights worth seeing.

New Plymouth CBD
Default Image

Bell Block

Some popular features of Bell Block include its cafes and spas. If you're in the mood to explore farther, New Plymouth Golf Club or Fitzroy Beach are worth checking out in the surrounding nearby area.

Bell Block
Fitzroy Beach showing a bay or harbour and a sunset

Fitzroy

If you're spending some time in Fitzroy, Fitzroy Beach and Fitzroy Golf Club are top sights worth seeing.

Fitzroy
Taranaki featuring a bay or harbour

Strandon

While visiting Strandon, you might make a stop by sights like Fitzroy Beach and East End Reserve.

Strandon
Default Image

Moturoa

Moturoa might not have many top sights, but Paritutu Rock and Back Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Moturoa
Default Image

Westown

While visiting Westown, you might make a stop by sights like Yarrow Stadium and Stadium Taranaki.

Westown
The Devon Hotel A Heritage Hotel
The Devon Hotel A Heritage Hotel
4 out of 5
390 Devon Street East, New Plymouth
The price is ₹4,457 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
₹4,457
per night
9 Jun - 10 Jun
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in New Plymouth. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Cleanliness, Excellent Housekeeping. Hats off the house keepers."

Reviewed on 22 May 2024

The Devon Hotel A Heritage Hotel
Plymouth International
Plymouth International
4 out of 5
220 Courtenay Street, New Plymouth, Taranaki
The price is ₹5,256 per night from 25 May to 26 May
₹5,256
per night
25 May - 26 May
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in New Plymouth. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (903 reviews)
"Stayed here once before. Plenty of places to park. Room really nice for the price. (Motel prices for Hotel rooms!) Needed forks in room (had knives and teaspoons) so asked at front desk and more than willing to get them for us. More towards one end of town."

Reviewed on 21 May 2024

Plymouth International
Millennium Hotel New Plymouth, Waterfront
Millennium Hotel New Plymouth, Waterfront
4 out of 5
1 Egmont Street, New Plymouth, Taranaki
The price is ₹7,206 per night from 26 May to 27 May
₹7,206
per night
26 May - 27 May
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in New Plymouth. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (834 reviews)
"Comfortable and convenient .Salt restaurant was great"

Reviewed on 22 May 2024

Millennium Hotel New Plymouth, Waterfront
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park
Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park
2.5 out of 5
1d Beach St, Fitzroy, New Plymouth
Stay at this beach cabin in New Plymouth. Enjoy free parking, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Fitzroy Golf Club and East End Reserve are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (76 reviews)
"Location is primo. On the boardwalk and Fitzroy beach. You can’t beat sitting on the deck in the evening hearing the surf 👍very comfy bed. Not so comfy inside couch area however didn’t sit around inside much. 😎"

Reviewed on 17 May 2024

Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park
Quest New Plymouth
Quest New Plymouth
4.5 out of 5
21 Currie Street, New Plymouth
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a rooftop terrace.
8.8/10 Excellent! (597 reviews)
"Love the location. Straight across the road from Star bucks and the shopping centre. Free access to a gym sold me. Only problem was the rubbish from the previous guests was not removed from the toilet bins, or the kitchen bins, There was a change of towels the next day, but sloppy bed remake. So ..."

Reviewed on 28 Apr 2024

Quest New Plymouth
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of New Plymouth

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
4
" "5 - Excellent 36.36363636363637%
4 - Good
7
" "4 - Good 63.63636363636363%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
23 Dec 2019

Good place for short stay. Lights in park & coastal walkway were excellent.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
26 Apr 2019

Quiet and beautiful town. Not much to do on a Sunday or during the holidays.

5/5 - Excellent

ParlezView
15 Mar 2019

Good location to explore Mt Taranaki and Egmont National Park