Understand
New Plymouth is the main center of the Taranaki region, which has a total population of around 100,000.
Get in
By air
New Plymouth Airport is located on the coast 7km to the north of the city at Bellblock. A taxi service is available to town (Cost: $15 - $20).
On the rare days when Mount Taranaki is totally free of cloud, southbound flights can get spectacular views of the mountaintop.
By bus
Bus services to Auckland and Wellington run twice daily, with a choice of several operators. A new bus terminal was opened in 2004 in Ariki St.
By car
State Highway 3 passes through New Plymouth.
From the north: (Auckland or Hamilton) State Highway 3 departs State Highway 1 at Hamilton and travels via Te Kuiti in the King Country and Waitara in Taranaki. The journey from Hamilton is ~270km - at least 3.5 hours by car, though allow 4.5 hours to be safe. A section of this road is narrow, winding, and includes a very short single-lane tunnel. It is prone to closure by slips in bad weather.
From the south: (Wellington and Palmerston North) Travel via State Highway 1 and/or State Highway 3 to Bulls then via State Highway 3 through Wanganui to Hawera, then inland via Stratford (which always has petrol 2c a litre cheaper than the standard price) and Inglewood. Wellington to New Plymouth is ~360km and takes 4.5 - 5.5 hours non-stop, depending on traffic near Wellington; allow 6 - 7 hours including scenic stops and rest breaks.
State Highway 45, The Surf Highway, which follows the coast (though seldom in sight of it) around the west of the mountain, via Opunake, is ~25 km longer and hillier, but scenic, alternative route from Hawera. Allow an extra half hour over travelling State Highway 3 direct.
State Highway 43, The Forgotten World Highway, intersects State Highway 3 at Stratford. This can be an interesting alternative trip from the Central North Island via Taumarunui. The road winds and climbs for 160km and includes about 30km unsealed though a spectacularly beautiful gorge. It's worth stopping at the numerous historical information boards along the way. Allow 4-6 hours. (Note: There is no petrol available between Stratford and Taumarunui and this highway section is difficult to maintain.)
By train
Passenger rail services ceased in 1985. The remaining railway line is used for goods entering and leaving the port.
However on rare occasions, a steam engine can be seen on the track. This most likely will be from...
