New Plymouth Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

New Plymouth featuring a bridge, a river or creek and mountains
New Plymouth showing forest scenes, a river or creek and a bridge
Sugar Loaf Marine Reserve showing a bay or harbour, a sunset and island images
New Plymouth showing a bay or harbour
New Plymouth which includes a sunset, a bay or harbour and island images

Taranaki’s commercial and cultural hub is known for its gardens, international arts festivals and long-distance walking tracks through natural areas offering spectacular views.

Visit New Plymouth for outstanding museums, art galleries and Māori cultural attractions. Known as the main gateway to Taranaki, the city is the ideal place to base yourself when exploring some of the region’s top natural areas.

Cycling, bushwalking and swimming are just some of the activities available in this charming city. Wander along a coastal promenade or relax on one of New Plymouth’s sandy beaches, such as the popular Fitzroy Beach. As well as restaurants and cafés with outdoor seating, the city is home to a number of great wine bars where you can sample New Zealand’s best wines.

Pukekura Park is one of the city’s most popular attractions. The 52-hectare (128-acre) park contains exquisite formal gardens, bushwalking paths and children’s playgrounds. Admire a diverse collection of indigenous and exotic flora in the park’s fernery and display houses. Pukekura Park hosts one of the country’s premier international arts festivals, WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance), in March.

The Coastal Walkway is a long-distance walking path with outstanding views of the ocean and city. The promenade is also ideal for cycling and jogging. As you make your way along this walkway take in beautiful beaches, jagged cliffs and picturesque farmland areas. Stop and admire the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, a fascinating architectural structure and a highlight of the walkway.

Spend a day exploring the city’s museums and art galleries. Govett-Brewster Art Gallery displays modern artworks and is known for its collection of works by New Zealand-born modernist filmmaker and sculptor, Len Lye. The gallery also features a cinema, a café and a museum. Stop at Puke Ariki, a combined museum and library with many artefacts relating to Taranaki’s Māori heritage.

Drive to New Plymouth from Auckland in less than 5 hours or fly into New Plymouth Airport, just 11 kilometres (7 miles) from the centre of the city. With waterfront hotels, lodges and self-catered apartments, you’ll find accommodations to suit your needs while you relax and enjoy New Plymouth.

Where to stay in New Plymouth

New Plymouth which includes tranquil scenes and mountains

New Plymouth CBD

4.5/5(231 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in New Plymouth CBD, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Puke Ariki are top sights worth seeing.

New Plymouth CBD
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Bell Block

Some popular features of Bell Block include its cafes and spas. If you're in the mood to explore farther, New Plymouth Golf Club or Fitzroy Beach are worth checking out in the surrounding nearby area.

Bell Block
Fitzroy Beach showing a bay or harbour and a sunset

Fitzroy

If you're spending some time in Fitzroy, Fitzroy Beach and Fitzroy Golf Club are top sights worth seeing.

Fitzroy
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Merrilands

While Merrilands may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Bowl of Brooklands and Pukekura Park.

Merrilands
Taranaki featuring a bay or harbour

Strandon

While visiting Strandon, you might make a stop by sights like Fitzroy Beach and East End Reserve.

Strandon
Pukekura Park which includes a lake or waterhole and a garden

Welbourn

If you're spending some time in Welbourn, Pukekura Park and TSB Stadium are top sights worth seeing.

Welbourn
The Devon Hotel A Heritage Hotel
The Devon Hotel A Heritage Hotel
4 out of 5
390 Devon Street East, New Plymouth
The price is NZ$96 per night from 13 July to 14 July
NZ$96
13 July - 14 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in New Plymouth. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Great location"

Reviewed on 30 Jun. 2025

The Devon Hotel A Heritage Hotel
Plymouth International
Plymouth International
4 out of 5
220 Courtenay Street, New Plymouth, Taranaki
The price is NZ$129 per night from 6 July to 7 July
NZ$129
6 July - 7 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in New Plymouth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Its amazing every month"

Reviewed on 3 Jul. 2025

Plymouth International
Millennium Hotel New Plymouth, Waterfront
Millennium Hotel New Plymouth, Waterfront
4 out of 5
1 Egmont Street, New Plymouth, Taranaki
The price is NZ$199 per night from 6 July to 7 July
NZ$199
6 July - 7 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in New Plymouth. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (944 reviews)
"Great experience from the moment we cried the threshold."

Reviewed on 22 Jun. 2025

Millennium Hotel New Plymouth, Waterfront
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Quest New Plymouth
Quest New Plymouth
4.5 out of 5
21 Currie Street, New Plymouth
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in New Plymouth. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Centre City Shopping ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (648 reviews)
"Now you have book and pay for parking,didn't last stay"

Reviewed on 23 Jun. 2025

Quest New Plymouth
Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park
Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park
2.5 out of 5
1d Beach St, Fitzroy, New Plymouth
Book a stay at this beach cabin in New Plymouth. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Fitzroy Golf Club and East End Reserve ...
9/10 Wonderful! (88 reviews)
"Lovely location right on such a unique beach"

Reviewed on 29 Jun. 2025

Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park
Molesworth Cottage - 
Central location & close to beach
Molesworth Cottage - Central location & close to beach
New Plymouth
Stay at this cottage in New Plymouth. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Fitzroy Beach and East End Reserve are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (9 reviews)
Molesworth stay
"Very tidy, and well appointed cottage, close to beach for exercise and close and handy to town.Enjoyed pleasant stay and yes,would like to make a return visit someday."

Reviewed on 19 May 2025

Molesworth Cottage - Central location & close to beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of New Plymouth

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
318
5 - Excellent 56%
4 - Good
215
4 - Good 38%
3 - Okay
28
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Town has a nice vibe....

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A great place to stay for a long weekend!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Pukekura park is the best ive ever seen

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A big high 5 to the walking tracks which are very well maintained, amazing how the boardwalks are built and maintained. Thank you

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

There is a homely feel about this city ... we came for a birthday/wedding ... we came knowing a handful and left knowing a tribe full ... absolutely fabulous

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

More cafes would be good.

Cities near New Plymouth