aranaki is situated on the mid west coast of New Zealand. With the almost cone shaped Mount Taranaki towering over it, the province has an abundance of rivers, sea, surf beaches and bush walks, all the attractions for which New Zealand is famous.

The fertile earth has turned the region into a dairy-farming centre and those who have dug deeper have found oil and gas, now a major industry here.

Taranaki is famous for its parks and gardens, especially Pukekura Park. All parks are open year round and many stunning home gardens are open during the famous annual Taranaki Rhododendron Festival.

The contemporary art gallery, the Govett-Brewster, is one place of many where artists can display their wares. Performing artists are also embraced. Every second year, the Taranaki Festival of the Arts pulls in talent from all over the world, providing an end-of-summer feast of theatre, dance, music and words. Womad (World of Music and Dance) was also held in New Plymouth this year and will be back in 2005 and 2007.

Taranaki is steeped in Maori culture and history. It was here that the New Zealand Land Wars began and conversely where passive resistance and non-violence became famous. It's European history is preserved at the Pioneer Village in Stratford.

Port Taranaki is one of the country's largest ports on a cargo tonnage basis with more than five million tonnes of trade per year and is the only deepwater port on New Zealand's west coast.

Taranaki boasts the best all year round surfing coastline in New Zealand. Wet, wild and wicked! Surfers come here from all over the world to take in the Taranaki experience. Accommodation is available near all surfing beaches.

With such a huge variety to select from, Taranaki can wet any appetite. Try a meal in a Swiss chalet or a café in the heart of bush country or select a wonderful up-market menu at a leading restaurant. Either way, Taranaki has it. It also boasts a large exciting shopping centre, along with specialty shops, interesting arcades, a broad range of supermarkets and many boutiques. Because Taranaki has a deep interest in the arts, it's people abound with creativity.

Check out the roadside stalls offering fresh homegrown fruits and vegetables and wander through the stunning nurseries afforded by a temperate climate and rich volcanic soils.

Whether you are coming for the thrills and spills of hard adventure or a leisurely holiday, there is something for everyone under this mountain.

Options

New Plymouth has a diverse range of accommodation at reasonable prices.

Hostels and campgrounds, Bed & Breakfasts, homestays & farmstays, hotels, motels (self-catering) and lodges. Whether you want to be located in the central city, or in a unique natural setting under the mountain, these are all available at reasonable price.