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OceaniaNew ZealandTaranaki Region

New Plymouth

Taranaki Region, New Zealand · Oceania

About New Plymouth

New Plymouth is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Hurdon, 26km from Egmont National Park.

New Plymouth is a town located in Taranaki Region, New Zealand. With a population of 90,100, it is an important destination in Oceania.

On a road trip, New Plymouth sits in New Zealand, where you drive on the left. It's in the Pacific/Auckland time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add New Plymouth to your route.

About New Plymouth

New Plymouth (Māori: Ngāmotu) is the major city of the Taranaki region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is named after the English city of Plymouth, in Devon, from where the first English settlers to New Plymouth migrated. The New Plymouth District, which includes New Plymouth City and several

Read more smaller towns, is the 10th largest district (out of 67) in New Zealand, and has a population of 90,100 – about two-thirds of the total population of the Taranaki region and 1.7% of New Zealand's population. This includes New Plymouth City (60,200), Waitara (7,720), Inglewood (3,970), Ōakura (1,780), Ōkato (561) and Urenui (429). The city itself is a service centre for the region's principal economic activities, including intensive pastoral activities (mainly dairy farming) as well as oil, natural gas and petrochemical exploration and production. It is also the region's financial centre as the home of the TSB Bank (formerly the Taranaki Savings Bank), the largest of the remaining non-government New Zealand-owned banks. Notable features are the botanic garden (i.e. Pukekura Park), the critically acclaimed Len Lye Centre and Art Gallery, the 13 km (8.1 mi) New Plymouth Coastal Walkway alongside the Tasman Sea, the Len Lye-designed 45-metre-tall (148 ft) artwork known as the Wind Wand, Paritutu Rock, and views of Mount Taranaki. New Plymouth was awarded the most liveable city (for a population between 75,000–150,000) by the International Awards for Liveable Communities in 2021. In 2023, New Plymouth was awarded New Zealand's most beautiful small city by Keep New Zealand Beautiful. It also won multiple awards in 2008. The city was in 2010 chosen as one of two walking & cycling "Model Communities" by the government. Based on New Plymouth's already positive attitude towards cyclists and pedestrians, the city received $3.71m to invest into infrastructure and community programmes to boost walking and cycling.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in New Plymouth

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in New Plymouth?

New Plymouth offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to New Plymouth?

Plan your road trip to New Plymouth with Plan Your Road Trips! Add New Plymouth as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is New Plymouth located?

New Plymouth is located in Taranaki Region, New Zealand, Oceania. The coordinates are -39.0667 latitude, 174.0833 longitude.

What is the population of New Plymouth?

New Plymouth has a population of approximately 90,100 people, making it a town in New Zealand.

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Quick Information

Population
90,100
Continent
Oceania
Country
New Zealand
Region
Taranaki Region
Timezone
Pacific/Auckland
Coordinates
-39.0667, 174.0833

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in New Zealand

Police
111
Ambulance
111
Fire
111
Non-emergency police
105
Driving side
left

Many rural bridges are single-lane. Give way as signed.

Full driving guide for New Zealand

Tags

OceaniaNew ZealandTaranaki RegionTown

Worth the detour from New Plymouth

3 notable places within an hour's drive.

national park

Egmont National Park

Park around the volcanic cone of Mount Taranaki, with three sealed access roads climbing to visitor centres and trailheads.

26 km · about 30 min drive

coastal drive

Surf Highway 45

A 105 km coastal loop around Mount Taranaki linking New Plymouth and Hawera, threading black-sand surf breaks, dairy country and constant views of the perfect volcanic cone.

47 km · about 55 min drive

historic highway

Forgotten World Highway

New Zealand's oldest heritage trail: 150 km of SH43 twisting through four saddles, a one-lane road tunnel and the self-declared 'Republic of Whangamomona' between Stratford and Taumarunui.

57 km · about 65 min drive

Driving roads near New Plymouth

  • 47 kmSurf Highway 45A 105 km coastal loop around Mount Taranaki linking New Plymouth and Hawera, threading black-sand surf breaks, dairy country and constant views of the perfect volcanic cone.
  • 57 kmForgotten World HighwayNew Zealand's oldest heritage trail: 150 km of SH43 twisting through four saddles, a one-lane road tunnel and the self-declared 'Republic of Whangamomona' between Stratford and Taumarunui.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near New Plymouth.

Welbourn

🇳🇿 New Zealand

1 km awayPop. 3,640

Merrilands

🇳🇿 New Zealand

1 km awayPop. 3,110

Vogeltown

🇳🇿 New Zealand

1 km awayPop. 6,140

Westown

🇳🇿 New Zealand

2 km awayPop. 4,790

Fitzroy

🇳🇿 New Zealand

2 km awayPop. 3,650

Frankleigh Park

🇳🇿 New Zealand

2 km awayPop. 3,570

Lynmouth

🇳🇿 New Zealand

3 km awayPop. 2,750

Hurdon

🇳🇿 New Zealand

4 km awayPop. 2,590

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence