Beautiful Spots in the Taranaki

The Taranaki region is one that is teeming with beauty. From towering maungas to beautiful lakes, to wild and fierce coastlines and wilder oceans.  There is so much to explore and get to know in this area.

In this article, I am going to share with you some of the spots during my recent trip to Taranaki that took my breath away and made me want to move to this region. 

Taranaki Maunga 

How can I talk about the beautiful Taranaki region, without mentioning the beautiful maunga himself, Taranaki Maunga? 

In mythology, Taranaki once was located in the middle of the North Island, with his brothers Ruapehu and Tongariro. Taranaki fought for the affections of Pihanga against his brother Tongariro. Tongariro ended up winning, and in sorrow Taranaki made his way to his current location, on the west coast of the North Island. It is said that when the clouds shroud Taranaki, he is hiding his tears for his lost love. 

There are many ways to enjoy this beautiful maunga. You can hike to the summit, though this is quite a difficult trek and is best reserved for experienced hikers.But, there are also easier walks available, such as the Manganui Gorge Track, which will take you on a short one hour return jaunt to the ski lodge. This is an easy walk that gives you a taste of what it is like on the maunga, with the beautiful alpine plant life and the amazing views of the world below. This walk is prone to avalanches and slips, so keep an eye out for any warnings before undertaking this. 

 If hiking is not really your thing, you can see the maunga in the nearby towns. Simply walk around New Plymouth or Stratford and you may be able to spot the maunga on a clear fine day. 

Lake Mangamahoe 

View of the maunga from Lake Mangamahoe

Lake Mangamahoe is only a 10 minute drive from New Plymouth and offers a beautiful vista of blue waters, bordered by lush green forests. It is a popular mountain biking spot, with many cool trails zipping through the forest. 

On a clear day, you will be able to see the maunga from the lake. There is a viewpoint, which is a short five minute walk from the carpark, which offers great views of the lake, forest, and maunga. 

The place is also great for a picnic or a wander to see all the different bird life around. With many paradise ducks, swans, and Canadian geese calling the lake home.

The Three Sisters and The Elephant 

Elephant Rock

Located on the drive towards New Plymouth, on the west coast near Tongaporutu, are the two sisters and the elephant. These are amazing rock formations on the coastline. There were formally three sisters, but the sea is claiming these amazing rock formations, one by one. 

You will need to time your visit according to the tides, as you can only walk around to the sisters at low tide. 

In summer, there is an awesome little cafe and fish and chip shop by the carpark, so you can always grab a coffee and a bite to eat and wait for the sea to recede a little.

The Plateau Carpark

Sunrise at the Plateau

Drive up the windy Pembroke road and you eventually make it to the Plateau Carpark. This is the perfect place to enjoy a sunrise, while sipping a steaming cup of hot coffee and soak in the amazing views all around you. Behind you will be the Maunga Taranaki. Who will look beautiful as the light gently touches the mountain. In front of you, on a clear day, you will be able to see Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe. 

The carpark is also a freedom camping spot, so if you have a self contained vehicle you can stay up their for the night and wake up to one of the most beautiful sunrises you will ever see. There are basic toilet facilities, but no showers. 

The Goblin Forest

The Forest

Gnarled and wicked. The forests on the mountain look like something lifted straight from a Grimms Fairy Tale. The trees are gnarled and bent, creating dark and moody tree corridors that you can wander down like lil red riding hood. Luckily there will be no hungry wolf to chase you, so you can slowly meander around these forests without any hurry. 

The forest largely consists of kāmahi trees, which started their lives growing from stumps and logs of dead trees. They have gained their twisted appearance from growing around and over these dead trees. The trees themselves are their own amazing little ecosystems, with ferns, moss, and lichen, growing and hanging from their gnarled limbs.   

There are several walks you can go on to enjoy this amazing natural wonderland, such as the Kapuni Loop Track and the Goblin Forest/Kamahi Walk.