Destination of the Week: New Plymouth
Why you should go: From the mighty maunga to the coastal trail, New Plymouth is big on natural beauty. Add to that the thriving arts scene, top-notch food and drink, parks and gardens galore and lots of family-friendly activities, and Taranaki's biggest town ticks all the boxes for a weekend getaway.
![Taranaki Maunga looks even more stunning when surrounded by Pohutukawa blooms. Photo / Rob Tucker, Taranaki NZ](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/HFR3HL5LIKK4NKJZ36PSQ7ZJPA.jpg?auth=707a00c082fd90954367cb939cf62754f50c163bb4b73b58e59bee9243905369&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
Top spots: Let the kids burn off steam at leafy Pukekura Park, take a wander around the renowned Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, or watch monkeys and reptiles at the free Brookland Zoo. With everything from 30-minute tracks to multi-day circuits, outdoorsy types are spoilt for choice at Egmont National Park, and a stroll along the scenic Coastal Walkway is a must. Green-thumbs won't want to miss the Taranaki Garden Festival and the Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival, both on October 28.