Popular places to stay in Taranaki
Most people heading to Taranaki will choose to stay in New Plymouth and for obvious reasons. Home of a world-class arts scene and situated within a short drive of the stunning Mt Taranaki, New Plymouth is an awesome place to base yourself for exploring the region. If you are on a road trip down this way, there are alternatives however. Once you discover the Taranaki region, it’s likely you will want to stay a while so exploring some of the other towns in the region should be on your list. We take a look at three of the most popular destination in Taranaki and pick out some of the best places to stay once you get here.
If you are travelling the Surf Highway and fancy stopping off somewhere a bit different, Opunake is located just a short drive up the coast from Hawera. Home to one of New Zealand’s best surf beaches, this place is usually busy throughout the summer months as surfers, windsurfers and fishermen all head to the small town to try their hand.
Best accommodation in Taranaki
Once you have decided which town you are going to base yourself in, it’s time to choose some accommodation. Whether you are looking for five star luxury hotels or a remote campground, you’re well catered for in Taranaki. With so many options to choose from, we asked our GO Explore fans for some of their top tips and this is what they came back with:
King and Queen Hotel Suites - New Plymouth
Let’s start at the top! This place is probably New Plymouth’s most luxurious hotel and got a few recommendations from our GO Explorers. The rooms at the King and Queen Hotel Suites are very modern and stylish and offer some pretty stunning views out over the Tasman. The hotel has a great central location close to the arts and cultural hub in New Plymouth and is a short walk to lots of great places to eat out and go for a drink. There is an on-site gym and you can also hire bikes which is a great way to explore the city.
Bella Vista Motel New Plymouth
Located just a short stroll from the highly acclaimed Len Lye Centre, the Bella Vista Motel is one of New Plymouth’s quietest places to get your head down. Located just a few minutes’ walk from many cafes, restaurants and bars in the city, this is an ideal place to base yourself for a weekend away in New Plymouth. We are delighted to welcome the Bella Vista hotel and motel chain to our exclusive GO Play programme in 2017. With a range of accommodation options in 27 locations around the country, you can save 10% on all bookings when you rent your car with GO Rentals. Sounds like a winner to us!
Fitzroy Beach Motel - New Plymouth
The Fitzroy Beach Motel is located just 5 minutes from the CBD and is also the closest motel to the airport making this ideal for those people flying in for a long weekend or for business. GO Explorers rate the clean and modern rooms but most of all the proximity to the beach, shops and cafes. The coastal cycle path is right outside the motel as well and with bikes available for hire, it’s a great way to get out and explore the city. This is a great option when you next head to New Plymouth.
Amity Court Motel - Stratford
Stratford is a really cool place to stay over for a night or two and the Amity Court Motel is one of the most popular places for Explorers to rest their weary heads! Built in 2009, Amity Court has a very modern and luxurious feel about it. Located just 20 minutes’ drive from New Plymouth, it’s a great option if you are looking for something a bit quieter. The owners, Jason and Kate are both from local families so their knowledge of the area is fantastic – tap them up for their best tips!
The Park Motel - Hawera
If you head down the coast from New Plymouth and head to Hawera, a top tip is The Park Motel. This is another no nonsense motel which is clean, modern and extremely welcoming. There are a range of room types from the standard studio unit to one and two bedroom apartments as well as a studio spa unit. All rooms have access to ultra-fast fibre Wi-Fi and there is also free access to a gym which is located just 2 minutes’ walk away. This is a lovely motel in the heart of Hawera.
Headlands Hotel - Opunake
If you’re a keen surfer and you want to catch some of Taranaki’s best breaks, head to Opunake and check in to the Headlands Hotel. The hotel is located just off Surf Highway 45 and is located just 100m from the beach. There is an onsite restaurant and café so grabbing a bite to eat between waves is a cinch. Many people associate surf towns with more casual accommodation options but the Headlands Hotel bucks the trend. It’s super luxurious and an awesome place for a quiet getaway.
Best places to eat out in Taranaki
The ‘Naki is developing a really thriving eating out scene which is mainly focussed around New Plymouth, however there are plenty of little gems hidden all across the region. We’ve picked out a few of our favourites – some have been sent in by our GO Explore fans and others we simply followed our noses! If you have a top tip for somewhere to eat out anywhere across the Taranaki region, we’d love to hear about it so we can add to our list!
Best sights in Taranaki
Taranaki is a great place to head if you love the outdoors. Whilst there are plenty of activities down in the ‘Naki, there’s also heaps of great things to see along the way. A drive along Surf Highway 45 will give you some breath-taking views of the rugged coastline whilst Mt Taranaki remains a constant on the skyline no matter where you are in the region. Here are some of the best sights to be found in Taranaki:
Best activities in Taranaki
The Bay of Plenty region is packed with great things to do, especially if you love the outdoors. From the amazing beaches to the fantastic walking tracks and relaxing hot pools – there’s something for everyone. Kiwis come here on holiday because there is so much to do and this is definitely a great place to visit during the summer months when the beaches are packed and there is a great atmosphere wherever you go. Here are some of the best activities to get involved with.
Rent the perfect car for your adventure
Recommended vehicle for exploring Taranaki
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER
0-1 year(s) old
A great option for exploring the Taranaki region is the versatile Mitsubishi Outlander with up to 7 seats, keyless entry and a 5-Star ANCAP Safety Rating.
5-7 Seats
1 large bag
2 small bags
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