Discover New Plymouth District: Coastal Walks, Culture and Nature

The Coastal Walkway runs 13.2 km along the coastline, from Pioneer Park at Port Taranaki to the eastern side of Bell Block Beach. This makes the coast a distinctive starting point for exploring the varied landscapes and experiences of New Plymouth District.

Coastal Walk and City Tour

One section of the Coastal Walkway provides access to Te Rewa Rewa Bridge. It runs from the Waiwhakaiho River to the car park on Smeaton Road. This means you can understand the walkway not only as a whole, but also use this specific section to find your way to the bridge.

The Puke Ariki Historic Walk offers a different experience: this guided tour through central New Plymouth is about 3 km long and takes two hours. The two formats offer a contrast—a longer route along the coast and a timed walking tour with a historical focus in the city centre. Check the tour’s current times and booking conditions in advance.

Museum and Wildlife

Puke Ariki has three permanent exhibition galleries covering the region’s history, taonga and natural world. Admission to all areas of the museum is free; check the current admission policy before your visit. The topics span history and cultural heritage through to nature, giving your visit different points of interest without requiring you to focus on just one theme.

Brooklands Zoo is home to capuchin monkeys, meerkats, parrots and tortoises, among other animals. Keepers give talks on weekends and during school holidays, twice daily at 12 pm and 2 pm. Times may change, so check the current schedule before your visit. From central New Plymouth, you can walk to the zoo through Pukekura Park; alternatively, access is via Brooklands Park Drive. Watching the animals and attending the keepers’ talks offer different perspectives on the zoo.

Tracks Through Bushland and History

The Stony River (Hangatahua) Walkway passes through lowland bush and offers views of Taranaki Maunga. You can walk it as an out-and-back route or a loop. These two options give you flexibility in choosing a route format, while the walkway’s character is shaped by bushland and mountain views.

At Pukerangiora Pā, an interpretation trail forms an easy loop around the pā site. Features include archaeological points of interest and wide views from the cliff-top lookout. The focus here is on the site’s history and location. In Waitara Marine Park, the Waitara River lies where it meets the sea—a clear geographical reference point for this place.

Taranaki as a Wider Travel Horizon

Beyond New Plymouth District, the wider Taranaki destination offers further distinct themes. Surf Highway 45 is a 105 km coastal route connecting New Plymouth and Hāwera. Along the route are dozens of surf breaks, beaches, historic and cultural attractions, lookouts and cafés in Taranaki villages. The route brings together a range of coastal and cultural themes across the region.

Taranaki Maunga is an ancestral mountain with a deep cultural and spiritual connection to the eight iwi of Taranaki. Visitors can explore the walking tracks in Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki National Park. One longer option there is the Pouākai Crossing: the 19 km route is considered a day hike, usually taking between 7 hours 30 minutes and 9 hours 30 minutes. It passes through Ahukawakawa Swamp and reaches tarns that reflect Taranaki Maunga. The Taranaki Maunga Summit Climb is a strenuous full-day hike. Transport to its starting point can be arranged through several local operators; there is no scheduled transport service. At 19 km, the Pouākai Crossing is longer than the 13.2 km Coastal Walkway; by contrast, the approximately 3 km, two-hour Puke Ariki Historic Walk is a guided tour in central New Plymouth.

Discover more destinations: New Plymouth, Oakura, Egmont Village, Hillsborough, South Taranaki District, Stratford.

Return to the wider travel overview: Taranaki.