Exploring the Charming Towns of Taranaki

The Taranaki region is more than just its soaring maunga and wild coast — it’s also a land of vibrant towns and villages, each shaped by their surroundings and history. These communities are places where you can slow down, connect with locals, and uncover hidden treasures. From art-filled streets and beachside escapes to heritage townships and cultural heartlands, every stop adds another layer to your journey. Exploring the towns of Taranaki means experiencing the heartbeat of the region — its stories, flavours, and people.

New Plymouth

As the cultural and economic hub of Taranaki, New Plymouth is a city that balances modern energy with natural beauty. Here, coastal walkways curve along the Tasman Sea, while Mount Taranaki towers in the background, creating one of the most striking urban landscapes in Aotearoa. Known for its thriving art scene, festivals, gardens and café culture, New Plymouth has a youthful creativity while still holding onto its heritage roots. It’s the kind of place where you can wake up to mountain views, spend your afternoon by the sea and end your evening at a gallery or live show.

Highlights

• Govett-Brewster Art Gallery & Len Lye Centre – world-class art and futuristic design
• New Plymouth Coastal Walkway – 13 km of stunning sea views
• Pukekura Park – a green oasis with the magical Festival of Lights

Ōakura

Just a short drive from New Plymouth, Ōakura feels like a coastal retreat with creative flair. Its wide black-sand beach is perfect for both surfing and swimming and the town itself has a relaxed, holiday vibe that attracts artists, foodies and travellers. The community here is close-knit yet welcoming, and weekends bring out the best of its local markets, galleries and surf culture. With the maunga on one side and the sea on the other, Ōakura feels like the perfect balance between adventure and tranquillity.

Highlights

• Ōakura Beach – safe swimming in summer, excellent surf breaks year-round
• Local Art & Craft – galleries and markets showcasing Taranaki talent
• Village Vibe – a friendly, laid-back community atmosphere

Ōpunakē

Ōpunakē is one of Taranaki’s most loved beach towns, set along Surf Highway 45. Its black sand beach is the centrepiece — a place where families swim, surfers ride waves and campers relax in the sun. But Ōpunakē is more than its shoreline. The town is filled with colourful murals that tell local stories, a strong community spirit and walking tracks that reveal hidden views. It has a down-to-earth charm where life feels slower, friendlier and deeply connected to the coast.

Highlights

• Ōpunakē Beach – patrolled in summer and perfect for a family day out
• Murals & Local Stories – artwork around town that celebrates its identity
• Lake Ōpunakē Walkway – a peaceful loop walk with mountain views

Stratford

Sitting in the shadow of the maunga, Stratford blends heritage, theatre and rural life. Named after Shakespeare’s birthplace, the town has leaned into its literary connection, complete with a glockenspiel clock tower that performs Romeo and Juliet daily. Around its centre, you’ll find heritage buildings, boutique shops and green spaces that reflect both history and community pride. Stratford also acts as the gateway to the Forgotten World Highway, one of the country’s most scenic and remote drives, making it a starting point for travellers who love the road less taken.

Highlights

• Glockenspiel Clock Tower – Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in action
• Forgotten World Highway – the starting point for a legendary scenic drive
• Heritage Character – classic architecture and rural charm

Hāwera

As the largest town in South Taranaki, Hāwera combines heritage, culture and innovation. Once a centre of industry, it is now known for its iconic water tower, which offers sweeping views across the region and for the Tawhiti Museum, a world-class attraction created by artist Nigel Ogle. Hāwera has a practical, hardworking spirit but also surprises visitors with its creativity and pride in local history. It’s a place where you can feel both the strength of the past and the energy of modern community life.

Highlights

• Hāwera Water Tower – climb for panoramic views of Taranaki
• Tawhiti Museum – immersive displays telling the region’s stories
• South Taranaki Hub – a modern centre for arts and culture

Pātea

Pātea is a town that resonates with cultural pride and music, known globally for the success of the Pātea Māori Club and their iconic waiata “Poi E.” Once a busy port town, Pātea later became known for its freezing works, whose ruins now stand as a haunting reminder of its industrial past. Today, it remains a place where history, music and community spirit live strongly, making it one of Taranaki’s most memorable small towns.

Highlights

• Pātea Māori Club – birthplace of the iconic song “Poi E”
• Freezing Works Ruins – striking reminder of industrial heritage
• Community Pride – a town with strong cultural identity

Final Thoughts

The towns of Taranaki each carry their own story, offering travellers a chance to see the region beyond its famous mountain and wild coast. From the creativity of New Plymouth, the surfside charm of Ōakura and Ōpunakē and the heritage character of Stratford and Hāwera, to the cultural pride of Pātea, these communities capture the spirit of the region. Other towns like Waitara, Inglewood and Eltham may be smaller, but they add depth to the journey, each bringing their own connection to history, rural life and community pride. Together, they form the living heart of Taranaki — places where the mountain meets the sea and the people bring the stories to life.

🌍 Travel Planning Resources

These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your Tohu guide you — Trust the Journey and follow what feels right for you.

• ✈️Flights – Compare great deals with Trip.com then Kiwi.com for flexible, affordable options.
• 🚐 Campervans – Compare rental deals with Motorhome Republic across Aotearoa and beyond.
• 🛏️ Stays – Compare hotels on Trip.com and TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
• 🚐 Rental Cars – Compare prices and book through Airport Rentals by Motorhome Republic for trusted brands and easy airport pickup.
• 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
• 🚆12Go Asia – Compare and book trains, buses, and ferries across Asia in one place with 12Go.
• 🛡️ Travel Insurance – Get flexible short-term coverage with Insubuy for your next holiday.
• 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with a VPN – We recommend Surfshark VPN for secure and private browsing while travelling. It’s fast, affordable and works worldwide — perfect for public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes and hotels.
• 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
• 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass – for UK or US
• 🎶 Events & Concerts – Book tickets worldwide through Ticketmaster.

🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.