Flax leaves in front of a winter mountain, Mt Taranaki  Josh Woskett

About Taranaki

The perfectly conical Mount Taranaki is one of New Zealand’s great scenic landmarks. The most climbed mountain in New Zealand, its splendour attracts many.

Mount Taranaki & Egmont National Park

Almost identical in shape to Japan’s famous Mount Fuji, Taranaki in Egmont National Park was the location for the Hollywood blockbuster The Last Samurai.  

Though this monolith dominates the landscape, there’s a lot more to Taranaki than alpine pursuits.  State Highway 45 – known as the Surf Highway – is a world-class surfing and windsurfing destination, with a number of top spots including one of the region's favourite beachside towns, Opunake.

New Plymouth

New Plymouth is also the home of one of Australasia’s most renowned contemporary art museums, the exceptional Govett-Brewster.

Housing many fine New Zealand collections, this gallery is a must-see attraction. Its most famous collection is the life-work of acclaimed kinetic sculptor and film-maker Len Lye – creator of another famous Taranaki landmark, the Wind Wand.

Stratford

From the contemporary to the classical, further inland you will find Stratford – a fascinating example of the British obsession with recreating England in the colonies.  Modelled on Stratford-upon-Avon the town’s street names are taken from Shakespeare’s plays – everything from Ariel to Verona.  There’s even a Shakespearean style Clock Tower in the town centre, featuring New Zealand’s only Glockenspiel.

Taranaki

Accommodation

Whether you like sea views, alpine vistas or rural scenery, Taranaki has an ideal accommodation option for you.The region offers a range of accommodation styles.

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 Surfing, Surf Highway 45, Taranaki.  Josh Woskett

Taranaki

Activities

The region boasts untouched forests and beach, which are always popular with hikers and surfers. Get out and have a look at what's on offer.

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