Discover Taranaki and New Plymouth's best place to eat, drink, shop and explore with our guide.
Jutting out on the west coast of Te Ika-a-Maui, Taranaki is a nature’s playground. Wild coastlines and creative locals collide in this spectacular region blessed with majestic maunga, black sand beaches, beautiful parks and pumping surf (more than 12 world-class surf breaks, no less)!
Located halfway between Wellington and Auckland, the port city of New Plymouth has emerged as the cool cousin of the former, whose laidback charm resonates with friendly locals and visitors alike. The city has rightly become a burgeoning metropolis of excellence; bespoke microbreweries, artisan producers, generous hospitality and world-class art and culture melt together here in harmonious splendour.
New Plymouth boasts an impressive 13.2km serpentine-shaped coastal walkway that undulates its way from Pioneer Park at Port Taranaki to the sprawling eastern beach, Bell Block offering an award-winning public space for the whole community to enjoy.
12 Hours New Plymouth
Your guide to the best things to do in New Plymouth
Neat Picks for Taranaki's Spiegel Fest 2024
Taranaki continues to turn up the volume with its celebration of the arts and this November, locals and visitors to the region can enjoy the spoils of Spiegel Fest. The 11 day festival produced by the Taranaki Arts Festival Trust (TAFT) showcases something for everyone from family shows to music, DJs and comedy to the hero circus act Rouge. Alongside this diverse programme of performances, the venue itself promises to be quite the spectacle. To say the Pacific Crystal Palace Spiegeltent is impressive would be an understatement; drawing inspiration from the Belgium-designed Spiegeltent of the 19th century, the lavish performance space blends European style and Kiwiana culture. Look out for the New Zealand ferns on the ornate mirrors, paua carved into the wood pillars and gorgeous stained glass windows featuring harakeke. We’ve deep-dived into the Spiegel Fest programme and picked seven of our highlights to help you curate your festival experience. And as we’re in the business of all things neat, we’ve paired these performances with some of the finest art, shopping and dining in Taranaki so that you can make the most of your Spiegel Fest days.
The Best of Winter Fest: 6 Must-See Shows & Where to Go in Between
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Forget the stale hotel stereotypes; New Zealand's staycation scene is flourishing with bold character and unrivalled charm.
The Best Cafés and Restaurants in New Plymouth
For a smaller city, New Plymouth’s hospitality scene punches well above its weight.
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View AllThe Bank
Eltham. A town well known not only for its gourmet cheese offerings but also for its unrivalled vintage and second-hand shopping scene.
The Collaboration
On first glimpse, The Collaboration in New Plymouth could be passed off as just another beautiful space showcasing and selling artwork.
Toret Cucina Italiana
Located in Ōakura, a charming seaside village 20 minutes out of New Plymouth, Toret offers a dining experience that is as authentically Italian as they come.
The Hour Glass
Tucked away on Liardet Street, The Hour Glass is a beloved restaurant and tapas bar that has fed and watered New Plymouth people since 2013.
House Wine
Let’s be honest. The world of wine can have its exclusive, and shall we say, somewhat snobby pockets.
Fenton Art Collective
What do you get if you put art, history, gin and espresso under one roof? An eclectic melting pot like Fenton Art Collective in Taranaki.
The Burnt Place
The Burnt Place is quickly coming home away from home for Hāwera locals with its cosy neighbourhood vibes.
Bleached Coffee and Crystal Cylinder
Shimmy yourself into Bleached and Crystal Cylinder, an industrial coffee shop slash lifestyle store tucked behind Devon Street West that’s oh so sunny.
Vintage Industries
Vintage Industries in New Plymouth is a beacon - twofold in fact - for its salvaged antiques from across the globe and golden exterior.
Liardet Street Projects
A cohort of cool hospitality vendors come together to create Liardet Street Projects in New Plymouth; an open air foodhall that boasts a variety of authentic street food and...
Kina NZ Design + Art Space
Anyone wanting to take a memento of Taranaki home with them should spend some time browsing the curated art and design pieces at Kina NZ Design + Artspace in New Plymouth.
Kingsroy Gallery
New Plymouth’s burgeoning art scene is vibrant and exciting and Kingsroy is a notable addition to the swathe of galleries opening in the coastal city.
Juno Gin
The origins of New Plymouth’s boutique gin distillery, Juno, is a compelling tale of relentless passion and a scientific approach.
Puke Ariki
Spend any time in New Plymouth and you’ll see the signposts for Puke Ariki, a dedicated hub that comprises a museum, library and research centre that shares the...
Shining Peak Brewing
Drink beer, do good. That’s what Shining Peak Brewing Company boldly encourages patrons to do when they enter their New Plymouth microbrewery.
Wild Pear Kitchen
Wild Pear Kitchen in New Plymouth is a haven for lovers of vegan and vegetarian cuisine, a welcoming and award-winning café that specialises in fresh and tasty...
Nice Hotel and Restaurant
At the top of a hill, on the cusp of the green Pukekara...
Tawhiti Museum
Tawhiti Museum is unlike any other provincial museum in New Zealand as it is the amalgamation of one man's dedicated heritage project.
