The Lonely Planet Guide has named Taranaki as one of the best places in the world to visit in 2017. Following hot on the heels of other popular destinations in New Zealand including Waiheke Island last year and previously Queenstown, Auckland, Christchurch and the West Coast, Taranaki has rightly been singled out as one of the ‘must visit’ destinations for 2017. Taranaki was voted number two on the list behind Choquequirao in Peru and the rating means that Taranaki is likely to see a huge influx of visitors this summer so get your trip booked soon!
Taranaki highlights
As you know, we’re already huge fans of the Taranaki region and you can plan your next visit to the region by using our Trip Planner tool which has a number of road trip itineraries visiting the area. The Lonely Planet highlighted the fact that ‘the Naki’ is a much under-appreciated region in New Zealand but for the intrepid traveller, it is more than worth the trip across to the central West Coast as the region is cram-packed full of fantastic things to do. Here are some of the highlights that has seen Taranaki listed as one of the best destinations for 2017:
Pouakai Crossing
One of the big draws of the region is undoubtedly Mt Taranaki in the Egmont National Park. This striking conical mountain which is snow-capped for much of the year offers up a stunning backdrop to many destinations in the region and has been highlighted by the Lonely Planet as one of the top things to do when you visit Taranaki. The Pouakai Crossing is quickly becoming one of New Zealand’s most popular day walks, rivalling the Tongariro Crossing for the title of New Zealand’s best one day tramp. The lack of traffic compared to the Tongariro make the Pouakai Crossing a real draw and your route will take you around the base of the stunning volcano. There are plenty of other walks in the region and the Pouakai Circuit includes tracks that will take you to the summit of the mountain.
Read more about the Pouakai Crossing.
Len Lye Centre
The Taranaki region is a hotbed of art and nature and the two combine and complement each other very well. The Len Lye Centre is at the heart of this art movement in New Plymouth and the mirror-clad folds of the building immediately draw visitors from around the world. Artist Len Lye is perhaps one of the most excited and often controversial artists of the 20th century, however his art works and the Len Lye Centre have really put New Plymouth and the Taranaki region on the map in terms of the world art scene. Lye’s main principals suggest that ‘great art goes 50-50 with great architecture’ and his buildings and sculptures certainly reflect this.
Find out more about the Len Lye Centre.
Surf Highway 45
Perhaps one of New Zealand’s best road tripping highways, State Highway 45 will take you along the western coastline of the central North Island which stretches 105kms from New Plymouth to Hawera. The iconic beaches set all along the route all offer up some of New Zealand’s best surfing and the black sand beaches make this a surfing trip with a difference. Add to this the constant presence of Mt Taranaki in the backdrop and you have all the makings of a spectacular day of surfing.
Best of the rest In Taranaki
The Lonely Planet covered in detail the many highlights of the Taranaki region and these also included Womad, the TSB Bank Festival of Lights and Puke Ariki. The fact is, Taranaki is a place less travelled which makes it a perfect destination for our GO Explorers. Discovering new places, people and experiences is what makes GO Rentals different and whilst there may be a lot more people who now know about Taranaki, how many are going to take the next step and book their trip there? Make sure you’re one of them and use our Trip Planner tool to find out the best ways of getting there. Here are just some of our itineraries that include stop offs in ‘the Naki’:
Wellington to New Plymouth – 10 day Round Trip
North Island Round Trip – 21 Days
North and South Island Round Trip – 28 Days
Find out exactly why the Lonely Planet ranked Taranaki as number two in the best places to visit in 2017 and book your trip today.
