New Plymouth

New Plymouth. So much better than the old one, and way easier to find on a map. 
Taranaki's main city doesn't make a fuss, but it has every reason to. With Mount Taranaki in the background looking like it was drawn by a perfectionist, and a surf-friendly coastline just minutes away, New Plymouth serves up adventure, arts and avocado toast with almost suspicious ease. 

Mount Taranaki is officially one of the most conical on the planet. If you're into hiking, it's an all-day, all-legs kind of mission. If not, you can always snap a photo from the café and say you climbed it in spirit. There are easier wins too, like Paritutu Rock, the Goblin Forest and Dawson Falls - all scenic, all achievable, and none requiring ice axes or a dramatic sense of adventure. 

Feeling like a drive? Surf Highway 45 winds past black sand beaches, great surf spots and classic coastal views that are very hard to rush. The Forgotten World Highway is a trip back in time, with winding roads, rolling hills and a pub in Whangamomona where you can get a beer and a novelty passport in one go. 

New Plymouth also knows how to clean up nicely. The Coastal Walkway runs along the sea with views, sculptures and more than a few spots to stop and pretend you're outdoorsy. The Len Lye Centre and Govett-Brewster Art Gallery bring the bold and the weird in all the right ways. Even if art's not your thing, you'll probably still take a selfie with the Wind Wand. 

Looking for things to do in New Plymouth? Between the surf, the summit, the sculpture and the flat whites, this place makes the weekend getaway list for very good reason.