Right on Oākura's black-sand beach, sharing a building with the surf club, Black Sand plates up surprisingly authentic Napoli-style pizzas – all thin-based and blistered crusts – made in a custom Italian oven and giving the rest of Taranaki a run for its margherita. Sunny terrace, decent wines and Spanish beer on tap.
Black Sand Pizzeria & Bistro
Top choice in Taranaki & Whanganui
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre
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Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Park
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Nearby Taranaki & Whanganui attractions
1. Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Park
5.06 MILES
About 1km offshore, these rugged islets (Ngā Motu in Māori) are eroded volcanic remnants, offering refuge for 10,000 sea birds and a colony of NZ fur…
5.65 MILES
At 156m, this craggy, steep-sided hill is almost as tall as New Plymouth's old power-station chimney down at the port (198m). Paritutu translates as …
6.17 MILES
This sprawling garden, 23km south of New Plymouth, is home to thriving masses of rhododendrons and azaleas. The blooms are at their bloomin' best between…
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This 1856 cottage, 8km south of New Plymouth, was built by four-time NZ prime minister Harry Atkinson. The cottage is the sole survivor of a settlement…
5. Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre
7.68 MILES
This two-headed artistic beast is arguably NZ's best regional art gallery, presenting contemporary – and often experimental and provocative – local and…
7.68 MILES
If you lose your bearings in downtown New Plymouth (or just want to know the time), look for the kooky, stripy clock tower, which is often luridly lit at…
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Atop Marsland Hill (great views!) is this wee observatory, with one of the most powerful public-access telescopes in NZ.
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An appropriately austere stone New Plymouth landmark that presides over the Coastal Walkway and a public playground.