Taranaki's Surf Highway
New Zealand
SH45 around the western flank of Mount Taranaki, a short coastal drive past dairy farms, surf breaks made famous by boardriders seeking the perfect wave, shipwrecks, and lighthouses. New Plymouth's Len Lye Centre kinetic sculpture and the Tawhiti Museum of settler history frame the journey's beginning and end.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- New Plymouth
Mount Taranaki (2,518m) rises above New Plymouth in a near-perfect volcanic cone. The Len Lye Centre and Pukekura Park anchor a city with an outstanding arts and outdoor scene.
- Len Lye Centre
A shimmering ribbon-steel gallery displaying the kinetic and wind sculptures of New Zealand-born artist Len Lye, attached to the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.
- Oakura
The Surf Highway's first beach town, with reliable reef breaks year-round. Black sand, Mount Taranaki looming to the right, and open ocean to the left define the drive south.
- Okato
A quiet farming village midway along SH45 where the Cape Egmont Lighthouse stands sentinel on a black-sand spit, the closest point on the highway to Mount Taranaki's flanks.
- Cape Egmont Lighthouse
New Zealand's oldest lighthouse structure, relocated here in 1877, guiding ships past the cape's treacherous shoals. The black-sand foreshore and mountain views are superb.
- Opunake
The Surf Highway's largest town faces the Southern Ocean swell directly. Good cafes, a sheltered swimming beach, and an authentic small-town Kiwi welcome.
- Hawera
The Tawhiti Museum presents Taranaki settler and Maori history through life-size dioramas of astonishing detail, crafted by farmer Nigel Ogle over three decades.
Where to Eat
- Butlers ReefPub
A lively pub in Oakura offering hearty meals and live music, popular among locals and visitors alike.
- High Tide CaféCafé
A cozy café in Opunake serving fresh coffee and homemade pastries with a view of the beach.
- Toretto's Bar & PizzeriaItalian
Authentic Italian pizzeria in Hawera known for its wood-fired pizzas and friendly atmosphere.
Things to Do
- Pukeiti GardensBotanical Garden
Explore lush gardens with a vast collection of rhododendrons and native plants nestled in the rainforest.
- Opunake BeachBeach
A popular surf beach with golden sands, ideal for swimming, surfing, and picnicking.
- King Edward ParkPark
A historic park in Hawera featuring beautiful gardens, a children's playground, and a scenic lake.