New Plymouth has the best of city, country and coast to explore. When it comes to things to do in New Plymouth - there aren’t too many other places where you can wake up by the ocean, explore the sights, sounds and tastes of the city and then retreat to the mountains or countryside in the afternoon.

Home to a rugged coastal walkway with black volcanic rocks, the mighty Mount Taranaki, and a town filled with arts, culture and great food, you won’t be at a loss for finding something to do.

For those with culinary inclinations, New Plymouth is home to a great foodie scene with a wide range of establishments to frequent, from authentic Italian pasta joints to flame-grilled Argentinian feasts and a bustling range of breweries and street food offerings. So whether you want something cheap and cheerful or fine dining and fancy, you’ll be able to find the exact vibe you are searching for. 

Taranaki is also home to a melting pot of arts and culture with street art, internationally-acclaimed galleries and plenty of design and creative studios to peruse at your leisure and perhaps spark your creative within. And the shopping is just as good – with local designers, jewellers and retailers stocking the best of the best of new and vintage treasures should you want to keep a memento of your time in Taranaki. 

With all the things to do in New Plymouth, you might require some coffee to keep you going. Fortunately, the city is home to a number of roasteries and coffee shops, including Ozone Coffee Roasters who had their humble beginning in New Plymouth before reaching international success and cute-as-can-be venues such as a coffee outpost in a converted garage a stone’s throw from the beach.

Ticking all of the boxes for a great little city, New Plymouth activities pack a punch in gorgeous Kiwi fashion.

Neat Picks for Taranaki's Spiegel Fest 2024

Red lights lighting up a stage in Taranaki.
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 Ōkato & Slippery Bill’s

The exterior of Ōkato & Slippery Bill’s, Okato.
Place New Plymouth & Taranaki
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At first glance, it might not seem like a lot is going on in the small rural town of Ōkato in the Taranaki region.

Juno Gin

Dave looking at still at Juno Gin, New Plymouth.
Place New Plymouth & Taranaki
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The origins of New Plymouth’s boutique gin distillery, Juno, is a compelling tale of relentless passion and a scientific approach.

Nice Hotel and Restaurant

The colourful and luxurious living room inside Nice Hotel.
Place New Plymouth & Taranaki
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At the top of a hill, on the cusp of the green Pukekara...

Tūpare

A wide winding river.
Place New Plymouth & Taranaki
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Tūpare is an idyllic landscaped garden and homestead on the outskirts of New Plymouth.

New Plymouth Coastal Walkway

Four nude female sculptures sitting on a bench looking out towards the ocean.
Place New Plymouth & Taranaki
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A melting pot of folks - young and old - congregate on the 13.2km New Plymouth Coastal Walkway.

Pukekura Park

A view of a building from across the lake.
Place New Plymouth & Taranaki
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Meander up to Pukekura Park from the centre of New Plymouth and soak up the serenity and calmness.