There’s something about summer in Taranaki. Between the maunga and the moana, the region is humming with events, adventures, flavours, and family moments you won’t find anywhere else.
Here’s your ultimate guide to a summer experience, like no other.
A Summer Event Line-Up Like No Other
Few places do outdoor events quite like Taranaki, from glowing nights of free entertainment to iconic open-air concerts that pulse with the region’s unmistakable summer energy.
It all kicks off with the TSB Festival of Lights, lighting up Pukekura Park from 20 December 2025 to 24 January 2026. Five weeks. Free every night: art, music, nature and pure magic, the ultimate summer experience the whole family will love.
Rock the Bowl storms back into the Bowl of Brooklands on 29 December 2025, with L.A.B, RUDIM3NTAL, Supergroove, Troy Kingi, Rubi Du, King Kapisi and Hollie Smith turning up the volume and delivering one of the biggest nights of summer.
Summer Nights Concert, on 31 January 2026, turns King Edward Park, Stratford, into a laid-back summer stage. Australian country talent Jake Whittaker and award-winning duo Rowdy’s Rose bring the kind of feel-good evening made for picnics, whānau, and dancing barefoot on the grass.
Big international vibes hit the region when UB40 arrives at the Bowl of Brooklands on 14 February 2026, bringing their iconic sing-along anthems and adding a global highlight to the Taranaki summer line-up.
And of course, a Taranaki summer isn’t complete without AmeriCARna. Four days. Hundreds of cars. Chrome, colour, and culture rolling through towns across the region, a spectacle you don’t just watch, you feel.
Top Swimming Spots
Whether you’re chasing waves along Surf Highway 45, heading to the beach for a family-friendly dip, or soaking in a quiet inland oasis, Taranaki delivers plenty of places to cool off.
Ōakura sets the tone with its sweeping black-sand beach, attracting swimmers, surfers, and families flocking to its patrolled stretch of coast. Corbett Park offers a more sheltered feel, a freshwater swimming spot, and grassy areas perfect for picnics, shade, and relaxing on a warm summer day.
For those seeking a cooling dip, the Hangatahua River (Stony River) in Ōkato is a true local gem. Flanked by native bush, it’s quiet, peaceful, and perfect for anyone wanting to escape the busier coastal beaches.
Heading south, Ōpunakē Beach offers a laid-back holiday vibe, complete with patrolled swimming areas, calm conditions, and plenty of space to spread out. Lake Rotorangi provides a unique summer escape. At 46km, it’s the longest man-made lake in New Zealand. It’s a calm, scenic freshwater retreat, perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and slowing the pace on a long summer afternoon.
Fitzroy Beach is a popular choice, but with a long stretch of sand and direct connection to the Coastal Walkway, it feels spacious.
Sheltered by breakwaters and lined with family facilities, Ngāmotu Beach is one of the most reliable kid-friendly swimming spots. Safe, central, and ideal at any time of day, it’s also a perfect starting point for exploring the port, rock pools, or the Coastal Walkway.
Quench Your Thirst
Wherever you raise your glass this summer, you’re getting more than a drink, you’re getting a taste of Taranaki and soaking up the hospitality we’re renowned for. From cocktails to craft beer, wine to award-winning distilling, Taranaki pours with pride.
The Hourglass serves crafted cocktails with effortless style; their menu reads like a summer playlist, while Arborio is the place to sip with sweeping ocean views. JUNO Distillery’s boutique cellar door is a perfect summer stop-in: browse their premium gins and vodkas or relax with a cocktail in the all-weather courtyard. Keen to get hands-on? Join a distillery tour or cocktail class and learn to shake your own martini.
Shining Peak brews award-winning Taranaki beer that celebrates local stories with every tap pull. Grab a tasting paddle and watch the brewers at work. Just a short stroll away, The Rooftop Bar & Eatery lifts the vibe even higher, serving summer cocktails and sharing plates in an open-air oasis built for warm nights.
If vineyard views are calling, Taranaki has two standout spots for long, sun-soaked afternoons. Okurukuru Winery offers one of the region’s most spectacular coastal outlooks, ocean on one side, Taranaki Maunga on the other and grounds made for wandering between sips.
Heading north, 487 Estate brings boutique charm, with a curated selection of wines, craft beers, and cocktails that make every sip as memorable as the meal. With plenty of outdoor space for kids, it’s a relaxed countryside stop perfect for slowing down and soaking up the sunshine.
A Hiking Paradise
If you’re ready to go beyond the well-known favourites, you’ll find lesser-trodden trails that offer peaceful forest, volcanic landscapes, quiet wetlands, and close-up encounters with native wildlife. Here are three unforgettable walks to add to your summer list.
A drive up the south-eastern slopes of Taranaki Maunga brings you to Te Rere-o-Noke (Dawson Falls), the starting point for some of the mountain’s most enchanting short walks. The Kapuni Loop Track winds through kāmahi and tōtara forest before meeting the Kapuni River. Follow the track to Dawson Falls / Te Rere o Noke, watching the river carve through ancient lava flows, or detour to the century-old power station still humming beside the stream.
For something gentler, the Potaema Track offers a fully accessible wander through lush rainforest, with moss-draped boardwalk and towering rimu and rātā overhead. The trail ends at a peaceful viewing platform overlooking Potaema Swamp, and on a fine day, the maunga stands perfectly framed against the wetland.
Don’t miss Lake Rotokare Scenic Reserve a predator-free sanctuary alive with tūī, bellbird, kererū, fernbird and waterbirds. Take the easy Loop Track through the swamp forest or climb the Ridge Walk for elevated views across the lake. Picnic spots and birdlife make it an effortless half-day escape.
Always check conditions before you hike, choose tracks that suit your experience, let someone know your plans, and, as always, leave only footprints so these landscapes stay as magical as you found them.
Rest Easy
After a full day of exploring, unwind the Taranaki way.
Mangorei Heights is a private cabin with sweeping views from Taranaki Maunga across New Plymouth and the coast. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the private stone bath, take in mountain views from the kitchen and bedroom, and make use of the well-equipped kitchenette and cosy lounge. A modern, peaceful base close to the trails and the city.
Looking for an alpine stay? Ngāti Ruanui Stratford Mountain House offers luxurious accommodation on Taranaki Maunga, including an award-winning restaurant. Set in the alpine environment, it’s the perfect place to unwind and enjoy nearby easy-grade walking tracks featuring unique flora and fauna.
Make summer your season
If you’re ready for summer memories like no other, look no further than Taranaki to start planning your summer break.