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Taranaki's hemispherical coast collects 180 degrees of ocean swells, so you can
be almost certain that the surf will be pumping somewhere between New Plymouth
and Hawera.
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| Around the coastal city of New Plymouth, all views point to Mt Taranaki. |
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But waves aren't the only reason to follow this touring route - the Egmont National
Park is always within reach, with tracks to take you up and around magnificent
Mount Taranaki. You'll be in the perfect position to study the botanical changes
from surf to summit.
Route Summary
It would be hard to get lost on Surf Highway 45 - the route simply follows the
coast. Side roads take you down to the sea or up to the mountain. If you begin
in New Plymouth, you'll pass the settlements of Oakura, Okato, Pungarehu and Oanui
before you reach Opunake, the largest population centre before Hawera.
Key Features
Taranaki has some of the best surfing beaches in New Zealand, and surf competitions
are regularly staged in the region. If you've never learned to ride a wave, join
a surf school or try tandem surfing (they guarantee to get you on your feet in
the first session or your money back!). If you're not up to man-handling a long
slab of fibreglass, body surfing and boogie boarding can be just as rewarding.
With a good wetsuit, the waves are there for the catching in any season.
| West-facing Oakura Beach is the place to catch great waves and spectacular sunsets. |
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The best wave venues on Surf Highway 45 have names that you'll never forget.
There's Back Beach, Kumara Patch, Graveyard and The Dump, just to name a few.
Komene Beach, five minutes from Okato, has the added attraction of bird life -
black swans, oystercatchers, ducks, gulls and pied stilts.
Ever-present on this journey is the looming shape of Mount Taranaki, a huge volcano
which last erupted around 250 years ago. The mountain sits at the centre of Egmont
National Park, which has a comprehensive network of hiking tracks. Trails that
aim up the mountain let you observe vegetation changes from sea level to summit.
You'll begin in low altitude kamahi rainforest, which is interspersed with tall
rimu and rata trees. Above 900 metres is a belt of mountain cedar (kaikawaka)
and mountain totara. Sub-alpine scrub is next, followed by tussocks and alpine
species - daisies, lilies and orchids; many unique to the mountain. If you want
to climb to the summit, it's recommended you go with a guide - weather conditions
can change very suddenly. In winter, the Stratford Mountain Club welcomes visitors
at its ski field. The field is a brisk hike from the car park, just enough to
warm your muscles nicely for the first run.
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