Taranaki was recently crowned one of the world’s number 2 regional destination by global travel guide Lonely Planet, and if it’s been a few years since you’ve visited the area, it’s time you went back.
The award focused on two new attractions – the stunningly shiny Len Lye Centre, an addition to the long-standing Govett-Brewster Art Gallery that is dedicated to the dynamic art of pioneering kiwi filmmaker and sculptor Len Lye, and the Pouakai Crossing – a walk across the slopes of picture-perfect Mount Taranaki that is set to join the Tongariro Crossing as one of the North Island’s best day hikes.
Between the two sit countless adventures: a sparkling surf coast, museums of everything from taxidermy to banking technology, lawn bowls to local history, an epic events calendar including WOMAD and an annual summer festival of lights, and New Plymouth’s stunning 13km water-front walkway that is waiting to be explored on foot, bike or skateboard.
Any adventures you have in Taranaki will be more than adequately fueled by the region’s stunning café and coffee culture. It’s something Taranaki’s residents take pretty seriously, and there are seemingly countless cafes perfectly-positioned throughout New Plymouth and right around the mountain.
