What to do and see in Taranaki Region, North Island: The Best Things to do Good for Kids

December 28, 2021 Lean Nau

Discover the best top things to do in Taranaki Region, New Zealand including Pukekura Park, New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, Tawhiti Museum, Te Henui Walkway, Dawson Falls, Puke Ariki, Back Beach, Mount Taranaki, Pukeiti, Port Taranaki Walkway.
Restaurants in Taranaki Region

1. Pukekura Park

Liardet Street, New Plymouth New Zealand +64 6-759 6060 [email protected] http://www.newplymouthnz.com
Excellent
82%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,777 reviews

Pukekura Park

Pukekura Park covers 52ha (128 acres) right in the heart of New Plymouth, Taranaki and is one of New Zealand's premier botanical gardens. The park has an international Green Flag award and is a Garden of National Significance. With a diverse range of landscapes, the park features bush walks, formal gardens, lakes, children's play areas, a sports area and a Tea House. The park includes the Fernery and Display Houses as well as the adjacent garden estate area of Brooklands, home to the acclaimed TSB Bowl of Brooklands and Brooklands Zoo. As a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, Pukekura Park lights up over the summer as the backdrop for the annual TSB Bank Festival of Lights. The park is free to enter and can be accessed from various streets including Liardet Street, Brooklands Road, Fillis Street, Rogan Street, Kaimata Street and List Street.

Reviewed By Nutputter

Just a gorgeous valley of native nz bush and flowers and water features.We were taken by surprise ...first that it is free and very large so allow plenty of time ..and there is a lovely old fashioned tea rooms in the middle ...with Pukeiti ,New Plymouth is certainly blessed with lovely gardens and parks .

2. New Plymouth Coastal Walkway

New Plymouth New Zealand +64 6-759 6060 http://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/new-plymouth-coastal-walkway
Excellent
81%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,675 reviews

New Plymouth Coastal Walkway

Utterly spectacular 11km long walkway along the seafront in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Walk, ride skate or scoot from Bell Block in the north to Port Taranaki to the south taking in the stunning Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, three swimming beaches, a golf club, rolling farm land, rivers and various accessways to residential and shopping areas.

Reviewed By 562grahamb - Napier, New Zealand

The New Plymouth Costal Walkway is a pedestrian and cycleway goes for miles and miles...8 miles to be exact. It’s easy to walk manageable pieces, there are numerous parking lots and public washrooms along the way. There are lots of delights along the way, including surfers, friendly Kiwis walking their dogs, a golf course, the famous Len Lee’s “Wind Wand” sculpture and the spectacularly shaped Te Rewa Rewa Bridge crossing Waiwhakaiho River at the northern end. We had several wonderful excursions during our stay. New Plymouth is to be commended for making exercising, the easy choice.

3. Tawhiti Museum

401 Ohangai Road, Hawera 4672 New Zealand +64 6-278 6837 [email protected] http://www.tawhitimuseum.co.nz
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 393 reviews

Tawhiti Museum

Tawhiti MuseumWidely acclaimed as one of the most innovative museums in New Zealand, Tawhiti uses life size exhibits and scale models to capture the past in a series of super-realistic displays. All the displays – including the life size figures created from moulds cast from real people – are designed and built on the premises. Whether the subject is shipping, farming, railways, or just a small corner of a colonial kitchen, the attention given to research and detail is the same. “I hope my enthusiasm for local history comes through the displays. I’m particularly aware of drawing children into our exhibits – they mustn’t feel museums are old buildings, full of old dusty junk. Historical display should be exciting and relevant – I’m always looking for more creative ways of making it just that” Nigel Ogle.

Reviewed By sheepgalore - Paihia, New Zealand

This has to be the best museum in NZ. You need the entire day to fully appreciate the uniqueness of the displays, the social history of Taranaki, the wars fought in the area, the Traders and Whalers boat ride and experience through underground rivers and enjoy tea at the charming tea room. The detail in the many dioramas is exceptional and cannot be described. The interesting information explained in an innovative way...absolutely wonderful. Make time for this experience.

4. Te Henui Walkway

New Plymouth New Zealand http://www.newplymouthnz.com/OurDistrict/Attractions/Walkways/TeHenuiWalkway.htm
Excellent
76%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 96 reviews

Te Henui Walkway

Reviewed By picturepaints1000wds

On a hot day, this is a lovely walk around the city - away from the cars and shopping area winding its way along the stream.

5. Dawson Falls

Manaia Road, Egmont National Park 4391 New Zealand http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/taranaki/places/egmont-national-park/dawson-falls-area/
Excellent
49%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 115 reviews

Dawson Falls

Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.

Reviewed By john_mills_nz - Wellington, New Zealand

Very cool trees. Feels like the setting of a fantasy movie/novel. It’s well worth going down the steep steps to the base of the waterfall.

6. Puke Ariki

1 Ariki Street Private Bag 2025, New Plymouth 4340 New Zealand +64 6-759 6060 [email protected] http://pukeariki.com
Excellent
64%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 537 reviews

Puke Ariki

Welcome to Puke Ariki - an integrated knowledge hub comprising museum, library, research centre, museum store and i-SITE for a visitor experience that is like no other. Puke Ariki is a place where people come together and where there is a place for everyone. Sited in New Plymouth, between the majestic Mount Taranaki and the wild Tasman Sea, Puke Ariki is a place of wonder, of excitement, of discovery and adventure. "Te hiringa ā rangi, te hiringa ā nuku, te hiringa o Puke Ariki, kia tupu te toiora, kia tupu te toi auaha o te tangata, pupū mai ai i a Taranaki o mua ki Taranaki o nāianei, honohono ake te hunga kāinga, te motu me te ao ki ngā aronga hou, ki ngā ara huhua o tikanga kē, o iwi kē." "At Puke Ariki we aim to inspire creativity and enrich lives by promoting the heritage of Taranaki and connecting local people and visitors to new ideas and other cultures from around the world."

Reviewed By Marloid2 - Greater Manchester, United Kingdom

I found Puke Ariki to be an excellent local/regional museum and attraction covering, history, geology, marine etc. Very well presented, very open and modern. Also has an excellent gift shop. Next time in New Plymouth I shall return.

7. Back Beach

New Plymouth New Zealand
Excellent
62%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 114 reviews

Back Beach

Reviewed By RowanT113 - Auckland Central, New Zealand

Well worth a visit. Run, slide down the North end sand dunes, (take cardboard or a boogie board) on the black sand beach or just watch the local surfers. Sunset is the best time but cooler

8. Mount Taranaki

2879 Egmont Rd, Egmont National Park New Zealand +64 6-756 0990 [email protected] http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/taranaki/
Excellent
77%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 567 reviews

Mount Taranaki

Reviewed By hannahz905 - Christchurch, New Zealand

An overnight trip to Pouakai Tarn: We originally planned to stay at Pouakai Hut for two nights, and actually we stayed only one night, as we were lucky to see all the view which we wanted to see. At that time, even the weather forecast was not good on Metservice one day before, but it turned out the weather was good most of time. We forgot it was a full moon period, so we didn’t get a chance to take milkyway which was a pity. Check Metservice – Egmount National Park weather ahead, but it is not 100% reliable. The route we took: Mangorei Road car park --2 to 3 hours--> Pouakai Hut—20 mins --> Pouakai Tarn We took most normal overnight camping gears (except tent), torch, food, filtered bottle, waterproof matches, gas, four seasons wearing staff, camera gears, tripod, hiking poles, wet wipe, tissues. Hut tickets (available in Kathmandu shop) The hut (first in first service, it was full at the end) provided sleeping mattresses, water (drinking water requires boiled), toilet, toilet paper…Our phone could even connect to 4G signal which was brilliant. No electricity available any way. By the way, all the rubbish is recommended to carry out by yourself, so rubbish bags are useful. We found the most useful things during the trip: comfortable/waterproof boots, waterproof/windproof jackets, waterproof pants, gaiters (super muddy on the way), warm hat (windy), gloves, torch, power banks for phones, jandals for walking around the hut, sun cream lotion, quick dry basic layers, socks, rubbish bags. Drive to Mangorei Road car park which is at the end of Mangorei Road. We took about 2 hours to Pouakai Hut. The track indeed has countless steps to the top, where most of time we walked in the beautiful native bush. From Pouakai Hut to Pouakai Tarn, it was about 10-20 minutes walk. Around Pouakai Tarn, there is a new wooden walking track. It did need some patience, but it was worthy. In order to protect the fragile environment, please stay on the track; please not walk/stand on the fragile vegetation; please leave your tripod on the track;

9. Pukeiti

2290 Carrington Road, New Plymouth 4374 New Zealand +64 800 736 222 [email protected] http://www.trc.govt.nz/gardens/pukeiti
Excellent
71%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 312 reviews

Pukeiti

Explore a wonderland of rhododendrons planted within 360 hectares of rainforest, located between Mount Taranaki and the coast, just south of New Plymouth. Established in 1951, Pukeiti is an internationally recognised garden with one of the most diverse collections of rhododendrons on display anywhere in the world. Take a short garden walk or a more challenging adventure and with either, sense another world and time. Feel the spiritual significance of Pukeiti to local tangata whenua and learn some of the language, knowledge and stories which are part of the land. Find out about pioneering Europeans, passionate plant-collectors and garden-makers. Discover the property whilst doing a fun activity or make use of the facilities for a private or community event. Pukeiti is owned and managed by the Taranaki Regional Council on behalf of the people of the region. Share Pukeiti – a truly unique part of Taranaki’s heritage.

Reviewed By gracelA258PT

For those who both love connecting with nature - this lovely garden is a certain stunner - recommended visit is from July to October to witness the beauty of this world-class rhododendron collection.

10. Port Taranaki Walkway

New Plymouth New Zealand
Excellent
69%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 140 reviews

Port Taranaki Walkway

Reviewed By Marg47

Total asset to the city a must to visit easy walking good parking great sculptures along the way. Offer something for everyone!

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