Mount Taranaki will surprise you from the start. A huge, solitary mountain that stands out against the coastal landscape and the forests that surround it. With its white slopes in winter and its perfect volcanic shape, it’s a special ecosystem combining swamps, forests and beaches, all under the influence of ancient lava flows.
This mountain looks like something out of a movie, and in fact it is (have you seen The Last Samurai?). In short, at Mt Taranaki you will experience New Zealand. Go hiking, enjoy nature and take the best photo of this breathtaking mountain.
Mt Taranaki, also known as Mt Egmont, is the second highest mountain in New Zealand’s North Island at 2,518 metres. This mountain is also a dormant volcano that is over 1,200,000 years old.
There is no doubt that the biosphere of the place is unique, with muddy swamps mixed with tropical forests and lush waterfalls. In order to preserve this unique ecosystem, New Zealand turned Mt Taranaki and its surroundings into the Egmont National Park.
This mountain, like the volcanoes in Tongariro National Park, is a place of special symbolism for Maori culture. In fact, Mt Taranaki means mountain peak in Maori.
There is an interesting legend that tells about the relationship between Mt Taranaki and the mountains of Tongariro National Park. According to it, Mt Taranaki fought with Mt Tongariro for the love of Mt Ruapehu. Unfortunately, Taranaki lost and was exiled to where it is today.
It is a story described in a general way, but which shows us a bit of the Maori mythology that is very present throughout New Zealand. One of these days I should compile it all…
The best time to visit Mt Taranaki is during the summer, from January to March. This is because during these months the skies are clearer and the views of the mountains are unbeatable. Also, during this time there is no snow or ice on the roads, so everything is more accessible.
It’s essential to travel to New Zealand with comprehensive insurance. We were among the first to offer the popular IATI discount, and you can now get it with Heymondo Travel Insurance as well.
You can find more information about both companies through the links provided above, or you can access the discount directly using the buttons below (in both cases, you’ll see the reduced final price on their website):
Internet is mandatory for getting around and using metservice, the country’s weather service. Keeping up to date with the weather is necessary if you don’t want to have any problems. It can also be very useful when translating if you don’t understand English very well.
To do this, we will tell you how to get a New Zealand SIM card with the internet and take advantage of its affordable prices. And now we also have information about the New Zealand eSIM with unlimited data.
By car from Auckland, the journey takes 5 hours to Mt Taranaki (Stratford Plateau). If you leave from Wellington, it will be a little shorter, around 4 hours.
On the other hand, if you choose to go by bus, things get complicated. From Auckland, you will have to take the InterCity Bus to Hamilton. From here, you will take another InterCity to New Plymouth, a trip of 4 hours. If you leave from Wellington, you will have to take the InterCity to Palmerston North (2 hours). Again, you will have to take another bus to New Plymouth (4 hours).
Either way, once in New Plymouth you will need to take a shuttle bus to Mt Taranaki. This will drop you off at Egmont National Park Visitor Centre, and the journey will take about thirty minutes.
Named after its European discoverer (Thomas Dawson), this waterfall is the most accessible in all of Mt Taranaki, and, for this very reason, you shouldn’t miss it. Its impressive 18-metre vertical drop won’t go unnoticed.
Likewise, the deafening sound will accompany you all the way to it, a path that, by the way, will charm you from the first moment. Just knowing that you are going to enter the so-called Goblin Forest speaks of its magic.
You can access this waterfall by parking directly at the Dawson Falls Visitor Center and then entering the information center. This way you can learn a little about the history of the place, specifically about one of the oldest electricity generators in the world. A real relic!
A 25-kilometre hiking circuit lasting between 2 and 3 days. A path that crosses forests, plains, swamps and mountain slopes. Without going any further, you will pass through the inhospitable Ahukawakawa Swamp, an immense swamp that will rob you of your energy.
Better said, a swamp that will motivate you not to give up and keep walking, regardless of the mosquitoes or the mud up to your knees.
You will also walk beneath impressive columns formed by lava, and cross hanging bridges under terrifying gorges. Just describing it makes me want to go back…
There are plenty of side routes you can take once you’re fully into the Mt Egmont loop. While the most popular is Pouakai Trig, with its stunning coastal and mountain views, Bells Falls is not far behind.
The one-hour detour will take you to the stunning Bells Falls, with the powerful water cascading through an ancient lava flow. Not to be missed!
Finally, this tour starts at the Egmont National Park Visitor Center and can be done in both directions.
This trail is quieter than the previous one, but no less interesting. To begin with, it is considered one of the best routes in all of New Zealand, and not for nothing, since the route passes by the famous Pouakai Tarn, a small lagoon where, on clear days, you can see Mt Egmont reflected in its waters.
In fact, the best photos of Mt Taranaki are always taken from here. Here is a photo so you can see it for yourself.
By the way, the Pouakai Crossing is a circuit that lasts about 8 hours (19 km). Some sections of the trail coincide with the Pouakai circuit, specifically the sections through the Ahukawakawa swamp. Up to the knees in mud… 🙂
It’s all about the route, and that’s normal when we’re talking about Mt Taranaki. This route in particular is recommended to be done on clear days. Why? Well, nothing more and nothing less than because we’ll be visiting Pouakai Tarn again, the famous mirror lake.
In some ways, the best trails through Mt Taranaki always pass through this beautiful spot. This one is the most direct to the site, as it’s only a 5km round trip, about 5 hours if you take it easy.
The best part? You can sleep in the nearby cabin and wake up early to watch the sunrise from Mirror Lake. Trust me, it will be worth it.
And since you’re in the area around Mt Egmont and its national park, why not visit this impressive rock? This massive volcanic rock, more than 156 meters high, will not go unnoticed. Located on the coast of New Plymouth, it offers a 360-degree panorama: Mt Taranaki in the distance, the coast in front of you, and New Plymouth at your feet.
It’s an incredible place, but only accessible after a challenging climb to the top. And if climbing is not your thing, you can always swim at the beach and admire the views from below.
This is the westernmost point of the entire North Island, and a place isolated from civilization. In fact, the only human trace you will find is a secondary road and a lighthouse with the name of the place.
This iconic location should not escape your sights, especially if you are traveling along the coast looking for the best view of Mt Taranaki.
Since we have mentioned the coast around Mt Taranaki, the New Plymouth Walkway could not go unnoticed. This coastal walk is a winner of the Coastal Walkway Award. It is 13 kilometers from Pioneer Park to Port Taranaki on the eastern part of Bell Block Beach.
Apart from walking, you can do it by running, bike, on scooters, skateboarding… A versatility combined with the dramatic views of Mt Taranaki and the sunny city of New Plymouth.
A unique bridge in the world thanks to its particular shape and shippable location, it allows you to cross the Waiwhakaiho River (God, such difficult names) near New Plymouth.
The bridge’s design is especially suited to the views of Mt Taranaki from a distance, making it a popular tourist destination. The bridge’s structure depicts either the skeleton of a whale or a breaking wave in honor of the New Plymouth Walkway. What do you see?
A curious thing about Mt Taranaki is that you can only go on hiking tours. In fact, it is highly recommended and convenient to do so. Those tours usually provide all the necessary equipment, book the cabins for you, help you with the luggage…
Not only that, they also allow you to discover hidden corners, learn about Maori legends or the geology of the place. Therefore, booking a tour and taking one of the hiking routes described above is an interesting way to visit Mt Egmont.
Stratford Motel & Holiday Park is your choice especially if you want to enjoy comfortable and cheap accommodation. At this motel you can rent a cabin with a shared bathroom, and even sleep in your caravan if you have travelled with it.
The motel is a 20-minute drive from Egmont and 40 minutes from New Plymouth. Talking a bit about its amenities, it offers a shared kitchen, an outdoor pool and even bicycle rentals.
On the other hand, two other hotels that deserve at least a mention are:
If you are in New Plymouth and want to stay in a more comfortable hotel, Mangorei Heights is your choice, perfect for starting the Mangorei route, as it is located practically at its entrance.
It offers Queen rooms with sea views, a gym, breakfast in the room, a private bathroom and also an outdoor hot tub.
However, this is not the only hotel that deserves to appear in this guide. Special mention should be made of the following two:
If you want to spend an unforgettable night with all the comforts you desire, then you should stay at Tarawhata Thermal Apartment.
Located in New Plymouth, for starters it offers luxury apartments with two bedrooms, a dining room, a hot tub, and a fully equipped kitchen.
Moving on, it has a beautiful garden and views from the balcony. Finally, did I mention that it has a private hot spring? Don’t tell me you’re not dying to go!
I don’t think there’s anything more extravagant than these apartments in the area, although, if hot springs aren’t your thing, here are two other good options:
The best way to get around New Zealand and by extension Mt Taranaki is by car or campervan. In fact, I highly recommend renting a campervan and travelling anywhere in it.
New Zealand is a country that is completely adapted to motorhomes: there are plenty of campsites, public toilets, showers and everything you can imagine you might need. Therefore, going in a campervan will be something very simple and comfortable. Lastly, this is also the cheapest way to do it, since, despite the initial expense, you will save a lot on accommodation and meals in restaurants.
Mt Taranaki is a place full of contrasts and offers many possibilities: beach, forest, mountain and even swamp. All in all, your visit around Egmont National Park should not take you more than two days unless you do the complete Pouakai circuit.
This guide could not be finished without a series of tips and warnings for anyone who decides to visit Mt Taranaki and its surroundings.
Click on the image and it will take you to a new Google Maps window with all the points of interest to travel around Mount Taranaki
