Surf Highway 45 — Taranaki’s Wild West Coast Road Trip

Surf Highway 45 isn’t your average coastal drive – it’s a love letter to surf culture, dramatic volcanic scenery and laid-back Kiwi towns. Stretching roughly 105 kilometres from New Plymouth through Ōakura, Ōpunake and on to Hāwera, this ribbon of black-sand beaches and cliff-top headlands offers something for everyone: world-class waves, hidden forest hikes, art-filled cafés and historic lighthouses. I’ve driven it in sunshine and storms, and here’s why it’s one of Aotearoa’s most rewarding road trips.

Why Surf Highway 45 Matters

What sets this route apart is its perfect collision of elements: the symmetrical cone of Mount Taranaki on one side and an endless Tasman Sea horizon on the other. Surfers worship the consistent swell, families revel in safe, sheltered bays and road-trippers delight in one surprise after another. It’s a corridor that honors both nature’s raw power and local creativity, with murals and studios popping up alongside surfboard racks and seafood shacks. Every time I hit the highway, I feel like I’m tapping into something deeply local and timeless.

Planning Your Route

Most travellers start in New Plymouth, picking up SH 45 as it forks south from the Coastal Walkway. From here, you have two choices: hug the coast all the way to Hāwera or make a loop back north through dairy farms and small towns. Either way, budget a full day if you want to surf, swim and stop at every café. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, turn this into a two- or three-day journey, spending nights in Ōakura or Ōpunake to catch sunrise sessions and evening markets.

Surf Spots & Beach Breaks

SH 45 lives up to its name. Fitzroy Beach, just south of New Plymouth, bowls up powerful left-handers that challenge even seasoned riders, while Stent Road further down the coast tames huge winter swells into peeling waves perfect for longboarders. Beginners should head to the gentle breaks at Oakura Beach, where local instructors create a welcoming vibe and genuine camaraderie. My recommendation? Pack your board or rent one in town, and chase sessions at dawn—the water’s glassy calm and empty line-ups will make you a believer.

Hidden Inland Adventures

There’s more to this highway than beaches. Just a ten-minute detour inland sits the Goblin Forest, an enchanted grove of moss-draped kāmahi where morning mists transform twisted trunks into living sculptures. A short hike from there leads to Wilkies Pools, natural rock-pools under cascading rimu framing perfect swim holes. For panoramic views, Paritutu Rock near New Plymouth rewards you with a steep 200-metre climb and sweeping vistas back to the mountain and sea. And if you’re chasing alpine lakes, the Pouakai Crossing day-walk offers reflective tarns that mirror Taranaki’s cone on still mornings—truly one of the North Island’s hidden gems.

Art, Culture & Coastal Charm

Surf Highway 45 doubles as a cultural corridor. Ōakura punches above its weight with a vibrant arts trail—follow hand-painted signs to found-object sculptures, pit-fire pottery studios and laid-back galleries where local creatives hang their latest pieces. Back in New Plymouth, the Len Lye Centre and Govett-Brewster Art Gallery showcase cutting-edge contemporary art, while the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge doubles as a landmark sculptural frame for the mountain. Between towns, roadside stalls sell free-range eggs, homemade jams and jewel-bright berries—don’t resist the impulse to pull over.

Food & Drink Recommendations

Fuel your journey with a serious café crawl. In New Plymouth, Fox Coffee Roasters nails both single-origin brew and a breakfast burger that rivals any upmarket joint. In Ōakura, pop into The Green Room for smashed avocado on sourdough and kombucha on tap. Ōpunake’s beachfront Fish & Chips is a no-brainer for evening meals, and the mini-brewery at the top of Surf Highway spins out hazy pale ales that pair perfectly with sunset views. My tip? Pack reusable cutlery and containers—you’ll find takeaway highlights at every turn.

Where to Stay

Accommodation on SH 45 ranges from no-frills holiday parks to boutique cottages. Oakura and Ōpunake both offer beachfront baches with communal fire pits—perfect for small groups chasing sunset bonfires and stargazing. If you prefer a town base, lakeside apartments in New Plymouth put you near shops, galleries and the walkway. For a quieter vibe, consider farm-stay cottages inland, where the gentlest morning sound might be sheep bells or birdsong.

Practical Tips & Must-Pack Items

• Cell reception can fade between towns—download offline maps before you leave New Plymouth.
• The west coast weather swings wildly—always carry a rain shell, beanie and mid-layer, even in summer.
• Petrol stations are frequent in larger towns but sparse in between—top up whenever you can.
• Surf lessons book out on summer weekends—reserve early if you’re a beginner.
• Respect private property and stay on formed paths in the forest and on the headlands.

Final Thoughts

Surf Highway 45 encapsulates the spirit of Taranaki in every kilometre: surf, whimsy, volcanic grandeur and community pride. Whether you’re chasing perfect waves, wandering through misty forests or lingering over an art-laden café table, you’ll find reasons to return again and again. Pack your board, crank your favourite road-trip playlist and let the mountain guide you down New Zealand’s most charismatic coastal drive.