The Taranaki Coast Overview

Excellent for catching rays on handsome beaches and catching waves on year-round surf, the Taranaki Coast from New Plymouth to Hawera is a surprisingly underappreciated and underdeveloped destination. You can circumnavigate Mt. Taranaki (Egmont) and travel along the coast in two ways. For a scenic journey (1hr.) with easy access to various bushwalks and the best views of the Taranaki Bights and the Tasman Sea, take Carrington Rd. from New Plymouth to Okahu Rd. and then circle around. The coastal route (3hr.) is best done on SH45 (dubbed the “Surf Highway”), but unless you stop and walk to the shore, expect only glimpses of the ocean—much of the view on this route is obscured by hedges, great distances, or both. For the best local surf, simply follow the gray signs marked “Surf Beach” between Oakura and Opunake, or the better marked TStent Beach, 500m south of Warea on SH45. To explore the area, it’s generally best to rent a car or bike. Hitchhikers find sporadic rides at best; in winter frequent rains make the experience even less pleasant. Let’s Go does not recommend hitching.