Getting to Taranaki

The Taranaki region is located between Wellington and Auckland, on the North Island's west coast. An area rich in art and culture, the conical snow-tipped peak of Mount Taranaki towers over the region.

BY AIR:

New Plymouth airport is located on Airport Drive - approximately 12 kilometres (15 minutes) from the centre of New Plymouth. Air New Zealand has daily scheduled flights in and out of New Plymouth to the following locations: Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo, Palmerston North and Wellington. Connecting flights from other domestic destinations run via Auckland and Wellington.

BY ROAD:

AUCKLAND TO NEW PLYMOUTH: Follow the Southern Motorway out of Auckland city for approximately 50kms. Continue south on State Highway 1, through Huntly. At Ngaruawahia turn left at Ellery Street, and then follow State Highway 39 (bypassing Hamilton). At Te Kuiti continue on State Highway 3, towards the coast. From Awakino continue south along the coast for 89kms, to New Plymouth.

Driving Time: 4 hours 55 minutes

WELLINGTON TO NEW PLYMOUTH: Take the Wellington Urban Motorway north out of the city, and then follow the Johnsonville Porirua Motorway to Porirua. At Porirua continue north on State Highway 1 for 137kms, until you reach State Highway 3. Turn left onto State Highway 3 and follow for 203kms to New Plymouth.

Driving Time: 5 hours 10 minutes

TAUPO TO NEW PLYMOUTH: Head north out of Taupo on Tongariro Street, to State Highway 1. At Poihipi Road turn left and follow for 33kms. At Tihoi Road (State Highway 32) turn right and follow 12.5kms to Whakamaru Road. Follow Whakamaru Road for 4kms, and turn left at Mitchell Road. Follow Mitchell Road to Scott Road / State Highway 30. Continue along State Highway 30 to Kopaki, and then turn left onto Kopaki Road. At State Highway 4 turn right and follow for 15.5kms to Eight Mile Junction. At Eight Mile Junction turn left onto State Highway 3 and follow for 150kms to New Plymouth.

Driving Time: 3 hours 35 minutes

BY COACH:

There are regular bus services around the Taranaki region, with Okato Buslines operating routes between New Plymouth, Inglewood, Stratford, Eltham, Hawera, Oakura, Okato and Opunake. Intercity Coachlines operates a national bus service between New Plymouth and other major destinations.

Shuttle buses are also available between New Plymouth and Mt Taranaki / Manganui Skifield.