Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Surfing
Taranaki's black, volcanic-sand beaches are terrific for surfing. Close to the eastern edge
of town are
Fitzroy Beach
and
East End Beach
(allegedly the cleanest beach in Oceania).
There's also decent surf at
Back Beach
, near Paritutu, at the western end of the city. Other-
wise, head for Surf Hwy 45 (
Click here
)
.
SURFING
Beach Street Surf Shop
( 06-758 0400;
beachstreet@xtra.co.nz
;
39 Beach St; 90min lesson $75; 10am-5pm Mon-Thu, to 6pm Fri, to
3pm Sat & Sun)
Close to Fitzroy Beach, this surf shop offers lessons, gear hire (surfboard/
wetsuit per hour $10/5) and surf tours.
Tarawave Surf School
( 021 119 6218;
www.tarawavesurfschool.com
;
90min lesson $75)
Based 15km south of town at Oak-
ura, on Surf Hwy 45.
SURFING
Tramping
The i-SITE stocks the
Taranaki: A Walker's Guide
booklet, including coastal, local re-
serve and park walks. The excellent
Coastal Walkway
(11km) from Bell Block to Port
Taranaki gives you a surf-side perspective on New Plymouth and crosses the sexily engin-
eered
Te Rewa Rewa Bridge
.
Huatoki Walkway
(5km), following Huatoki Stream, is a rambling
walk into the city centre. Alternatively, the
New Plymouth Heritage Trail
brochure, taking in
historic hot spots, is a real blast from the past.
Other Activities
Taranaki Thermal Spa
( 06-759 1666;
www.windwand.co.nz/mineralpools
;
8 Bonithon Ave; treatments $13-245; 10am-5pm Mon &
Tue, 10am-9pm Wed-Fri, 3-9pm Sat & Sun)
The warm mineral water filling the tanks at Taranaki
Thermal Spa was discovered during the search for oil around 1910. The private baths are
filled on arrival, and there's a suite of massage and beauty therapies available. An abso-
lute tonic.
SPA, MASSAGE
Todd Energy Aquatic Centre
MAP
SWIMMING
GOOGLE MAP
