Things to Do in New Plymouth for Couples
Scenic, affordable and effortless, New Plymouth is well worth considering for a romantic getaway and here’s why. The scenery is incredibly diverse with beaches, picturesque gardens and a volcano awash in untamed forest. As for activities, you’ll find that New Plymouth’s adventure, cosmopolitan and relaxation activities are inexpensive making it easy to stick to your honeymoon/romantic-weekend budget. So, discover some of the best romantic activities in New Plymouth with this list of things to do in New Plymouth for couples.
For more help planning your trip, take a look at The Honeymoon Guide to New Plymouth.
1. Visit New Plymouth’s Romantic Gardens
New Plymouth is home to award-winning gardens which really set the right tone for a romantic stroll. Visit Pukekura Park, which is right in the city centre and boasts picturesque lakes and water features making for beautiful photo opportunities. The garden of Pukeiti is a bit of a drive out of the city but is well worth it with its colourful display of rhododendrons and other lush exotics. Finally, Tupare offers gorgeous landscaped gardens that may inspire you to pop the question or get your wedding photos done here. Learn more about these gardens in the 10 Must-See Parks & Gardens in Taranaki.
Location: Pukekura Park – Access off Brooklands Park Drive and Liardet Street, New Plymouth city centre. Pukeiti – 2290 Carrington Road, approximately 23km (14 miles) from New Plymouth city centre. Tupare – 487 Mangorei Road, approximately 7km (4 miles) from New Plymouth city centre.
© Unsplash2. Enjoy a Long Walk on the Beach
Although it’s cliche, there’s a reason why long walks on the beach are so romantic, especially with New Plymouth’s dark sands and ever-present views of the piercing Mt Taranaki. While the town’s most popular beach, Fitzroy, is a good go-to, the most picturesque city beach for a stroll or a picnic is Back Back. A sweeping stretch of black sand, Back Beach offers breathtaking views out to the Sugar Loaf Islands.
Location: Fitzroy Beach – Beach Road. Back Beach – Cenntenial Drive, New Plymouth city centre.
© Unsplash3. Delve into the Fairytale-like Forest of the Egmont National Park
And if breathtaking beaches and gorgeous gardens don’t grab you, then how about the mesmerising mossy trees of the Egmont National Park? The forest of the Egmont National Park adds yet another element of romance for couples who enjoy the beauty of pure untamed nature with its twining moss-cover trees that give it the nickname of the “goblin forest”. Visit the North Egmont Visitor Centre and enjoy some of the short walks where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a world that time forgot. Check out some of the walks in the 6 Hikes You Have to Do in Egmont National Park.
Location: North Egmont Visitor Centre, North Egmont Road, approximately 13km (8 miles) from New Plymouth city centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. Indulge in a Mineral Hot Pool at the Taranaki Thermal Spa
A good thing to do after the aches form from long drive to this off-the-beaten-track destination, the Taranaki Thermal Spa offers private thermal pools for couples. Soak in some thermal mineral waters, which were first discovered in the early part of the 20th Century and have been used ever since. The spa also has a sauna and massage treatments on offer.
Location: 8 Bonithon Avenue, New Plymouth city centre.
© Pixabay5. Head Out Horse Riding
There’s something strangely romantic about horse riding, right? If you’re the type of couple who prefer to adventure together, then join Horse Trek’n Taranaki for a day out on horseback. With no set trail, the team at the stables can take you and your loved one to the scenery you prefer, whether it’s over lush farmland, through the bush, across rivers, to clifftops or on the beach. Treks range from 1h30mins to eight hours with half-day tours and longer including a picnic lunch. See how this compares with other treks in the 11 Awesome Horse Treks in New Zealand.
Location: 187 Waiiti Road, RD 44, Urenui, approximately 47km (29 miles) from New Plymouth city centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com6. Team Up in a Double Kayak to Paddle to the Sugar Loaf Islands
A real test of any relationship, see how you fare paddling in a double kayak together. Whether it goes smoothly or a little rocky, you’ll still enjoy the scenery of the Sugar Loaf Islands on tours with Canoe & Kayak Taranaki. These towering islands are home to New Zealand fur seals and seabirds which are a joy to watch as you paddle to the towering islands remaining from an ancient volcanic crater. Note that this activity is dependent on the weather and sea conditions.
Location: 468 St Aubyn Street, New Plymouth city centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com7. Take a Picnic to Lake Mangamahoe
The manmade lake just outside of New Plymouth makes for a stunning reflection of the region’s natural features, notably Mt Taranaki. Take a picnic and relax by the lake with 262ha (647 acres) of forest which can be enjoyed further on the loop walk and mountain biking trail here. Take a camera for the stunning photo opportunities, particularly at sunset.
Location: Access from Junction Road and Plantation Road, approximately 12km (7 miles) from New Plymouth city centre.
© Unsplash8. Tackle the Challenges of Decipher Escape Rooms
Nothing beats the feeling of conquering a challenge together, even if it’s a challenge of the mind! For such an experience, head to Escape Masters to tackle one of the creatively themed rooms full of puzzles, hidden codes and tricks to escape the room before the time runs out. It will challenge your reasoning and problem-solving skills so once it’s complete, you’ll be ready to face anything together! For more activities like this, see the 10 Things to Do in New Plymouth on a Rainy Day.
Location: 44 Currie Street, New Plymouth city centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com9. Watch the Sunset with a Takeaway at Pig-out Point
Ok, hear us out. This lookout might not have the most appealing name, but enjoying the views at sunset across the Tasman Sea from this car parking area is a pretty romantic way to spend an evening. If you find yourselves grabbing a takeaway, this is the place to park up and enjoy it (hence the name). Otherwise, there are plenty of romantic dine-in restaurants to treat your loved one to, which we list in The Honeymoon Guide to New Plymouth.
Location: Mount Bryan Domain, the north end of Hobson Street, New Plymouth city centre.
© Unsplash10. Walk or Cycle the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway Together
A stroll hand-in-hand down the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway is an ideal way to spend an afternoon together in the city. The sealed walkway along the coast spans 12.7km (8 miles) passing beaches, the kinetic sculpture of the Wind Wand, the iconic Te Rewa Rewa Bridge and more. The walkway is also fun to cycle with bike hire available from Cycle Inn and Chaddy’s Charters. Learn more about the walk in the 8 Wonderful Walks in New Plymouth.
Location: So many access points! Just head to the coast of New Plymouth city centre between Ngamotu Beach and Tiromoana Crescent.
© NZPocketGuide.comMore About New Plymouth for Couples
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Visit Taranaki (Regional tourism website)
- Taranaki Regional Council (Local council website)
- New Plymouth District Council (Local council website)
- South Taranaki District Council (Local council website)
- Stratford District Council (Local council website)
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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