City or town
Things to see in New Plymouth (New Zealand): 51 places and when to go
New Plymouth is a town in New Zealand with around 53,000 inhabitants, and this site lists 51 places in and around it, mainly History (20), Nature (11), Mountains (11). The best known are Mount Taranaki, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and North Taranaki Bight. The best time to come is October to April; also possible: May to September. In December there are 14 h 44 of daylight, and in June, 9 h 16. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.
In a nutshell
- Where
- New Zealand · -39.0556, 174.0748
- Population
- About 53,000
- Places
- 51 places on this site, in the town and around it.
- What people come for
- History (20) · Nature (11) · Mountains (11) · Hiking (10) · Architecture (4) · Temples (3)
- Best time
- October to April.
- Also possible
- May to September.
- Nearest airport
- AKL Auckland, 236 km as the crow flies
- Highest point
- Mount Taranaki, at 2,518 m.
What to see in New Plymouth
The places in and around New Plymouth, best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.
- Mount TaranakiStratovolcano in New Zealand27 km
- Govett-Brewster Art GalleryArt museum in New Plymouth, New Zealand537 m
- North Taranaki BightBay in New Zealand28 km
- Te Rewa Rewa BridgeBridge across the Waiwhakaiho River in New Plymouth, New Zealand3.8 km
- Manganui Ski AreaSki resort in New Zealand27 km
- Bertrand Road suspension bridgeRoad bridge in Huirangi, New Zealand16 km
- German HillHill in Taranaki, New Zealand15 km
- Kahui HillHill in New Zealand27 km
- KaitakeHill in New Zealand14 km
- New Plymouth ObservatoryObservatory791 m
- PiokeHill in New Zealand16 km
- Poet's BridgeHeritage footbridge in New Plymouth, New Zealand1.2 km
- Puniho HillHill in New Zealand27 km
- Sharks ToothHill in New Zealand27 km
- TaramoukouHill in New Zealand29 km
- Te IringaPeak in the Kaitake Range, New Zealand16 km
- The Gables Colonial HospitalHeritage hospital building in New Plymouth, New Zealand1.6 km
- Taranaki CathedralHistoric Anglican cathedral in New Plymouth, New Zealand542 m
- Turehu HillHill in New Zealand27 km
- Awa-te-take PāPā in Taranaki, New Zealand18 km
- Brooklands ZooWith kids · Wildlife1.7 km
- Five Dollar HutMountains · Hiking27 km
- Holly HutHiking23 km
- Kahui HutHiking27 km
And the other 27, by what you come to do:
- Hiking: Kapuni Lodge, Maketawa Hut, Pouakai Hut, Syme Hut, Camp House, Waingongoro Hut
- History: Waipuku Stream Bridge, Ngaweka Pa, Orua Pa, Otaraoa Pa, Parihamore Pa, Patuhā Pā, Pohokura Pa, Pouteau Pa, Pukehoe Pa, Puketakauere Pa, Puketi Pa, Puniho Pa, Rewarewa Pa, Tataraimaka Pa, Tīmaru Redoubt
- Museums and art: Puke Ariki New Plymouth Museum
- Temples: St Andrew's Church, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, New Plymouth
- Diving: Gairloch
- Mountains: Tahurangi Lodge
- Hot springs: Taranaki Thermal Spa
When to go to New Plymouth
The best time to visit New Plymouth is October to April; also possible: May to September. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.
- JanBest time14:27
- FebBest time13:28
- MarBest time12:18
- AprBest time10:58
- MayPossible9:52
- JunPossible9:16
- JulPossible9:31
- AugPossible10:28
- SepPossible11:46
- OctBest time13:03
- NovBest time14:11
- DecBest time14:44
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In December there are 14 h 44 of daylight, and in June, 9 h 16. In January, 49 of the 51 places are at their best.
When to go to New Zealand in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Getting to New Plymouth
The nearest main airport is Auckland International Airport (AKL, Auckland), 236 km as the crow flies. How to get around New Zealand (train, car, bus) is in its country guide, and what to sort out before you leave is in its checklist.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
Other towns nearby
- Hāwera21 places61 km
- Raetihi14 places111 km
- Whanganui26 places128 km
- Ōtorohanga19 places139 km
- Waiouru11 places145 km
- Tūrangi44 places151 km
And all of New Zealand, in its country guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in New Plymouth?
The best known: Mount Taranaki, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, North Taranaki Bight, Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, Manganui Ski Area. In all, 51 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.
When is the best time to visit New Plymouth?
October to April; also possible: May to September. In December there are 14 h 44 of daylight, and in June, 9 h 16.
How do you get to New Plymouth?
The nearest main airport is Auckland International Airport (AKL), 236 km away. From there, directions opens the route on the map.
How do I add it to my trip?
Create a trip with New Plymouth as the destination and these 51 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.
Keep reading
- New ZealandBefore travelling to New Zealand: 8 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. You need the NZeTA before flying (a visa waiver, not a visa), and the IVL tourist l…
- History333 places for history in New Zealand, from Tongariro National Park to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: October to April. Each with its own season by altitude and
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, from Wikidata, CC0, cities from Natural Earth and airports from OurAirports. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.