New Plymouth sits on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island, in the shadow of Mount Taranaki — a symmetrical volcanic cone that dominates the skyline from almost everywhere in the city. The mountain is the main reason to come: its national park offers everything from short bush walks to a serious multi-day circuit, the Pouakai Crossing, and in winter there is skiing on its slopes.
The city itself is small but has more going on than you might expect. The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre house one of the country's best contemporary art collections. The Coastal Walkway runs for thirteen kilometres along the waterfront, past Len Lye's striking Wind Wand sculpture and out to the harbour. Pukekura Park is a lush botanical garden in the centre of town with a cricket ground, lakes, and a fernery. Puke Ariki, the combined museum and library on the waterfront hill, has a strong Māori and natural history collection.
New Plymouth has a strong café culture and a growing food scene, fuelled by the surrounding dairy country. The surf beaches along the coast are good, if often windswept. It is a quieter, less-visited part of New Zealand that rewards a few days of exploration.