Surf Highway 45 — Mt Taranaki CoastLoop.
Distance
105 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
300 m
Surf Highway 45 — Mt Taranaki Coast Loop.
Highway 45 runs 105 km around the western coast of Mt Taranaki from New Plymouth south to Hawera. The perfect cone of the 2,518m volcano stays in your right mirror the entire way. Black sand surf breaks, the white Cape Egmont lighthouse, world-class Stent Road reef, and quirky Opunake make this one of New Zealands most underrated rides.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance105 km
Days1
Total climb300 m
DifficultyEasy
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The route.
New PlymouthStart · Start in New Plymouth. The Coastal Walkway and Wind Wand are worth a sunrise stop. Head south on SH45.
Oakura BeachScenic Point · Black sand surf beach with consistent break. Mt Taranaki rises directly behind — classic NZ photo.
Cape Egmont LighthousePhoto Spot · White cast-iron lighthouse (1881) on the westernmost cape. Mt Taranaki cone perfectly framed inland.
Stent Road surf reefScenic Point · Internationally known left-hand point break. Park on the road verge and watch the swell roll in.
OpunakeRestaurant · Quirky surf town. Lake Opunake walk, beach murals, and Sugar Loaf rocks just offshore.
Manaia Stockade HillScenic Point · Historic British outpost site (1881). The town clock tower and pie shop are quintessentially Taranaki.
Ohawe BeachScenic Point · Fossil cliffs and dark sand surf break just before Hawera. Whale and dolphin bones sometimes found.
HaweraEnd · End in Hawera. Tawhiti Museum (Wayne Camerons hand-built history dioramas) is the best in New Zealand.
More routes in New Zealand
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