New Plymouth & Taranaki Car Hire: Around the Mountain Road Trip Base
Quick answer: what is the best way to hire a car and drive around New Plymouth, Surf Highway 45 and Mount Taranaki?
The best way to explore New Plymouth, Surf Highway 45 and Mount Taranaki is by hire car: it's essential for the 360-degree loop, as buses don't reach the surf breaks or mountain road ends. Collect at RaD's Fitzroy depot, 592 Devon Street East, or pre-arrange a New Plymouth Airport pick-up, and choose an SUV for mountain roads and surf gear.
Kia ora, and welcome to Taranaki. We're a locally owned team, and we still get a kick out of watching visitors clock the maunga for the first time. If you're weighing up car hire New Plymouth options, think of this guide as the driving companion to your trip: where to collect your car, how to handle the coast and the mountain roads, and which routes we'd send our own friends on. For more ideas, bookmark our Things to Do in Taranaki travel guide.
Exploring Taranaki's Surf Highway 45 & Mountain Circuit
Taranaki is shaped like a road trip. One near-perfect volcanic cone sits in the middle, green farmland spreads out around it, and two highways join up to circle the lot. State Highway 3 (SH3) runs down the inland side through Inglewood, Stratford and Eltham to Hāwera, while Surf Highway 45 (SH45) curves 105 km back around the coast through Ōakura, Ōkato and Ōpunake. Together they make a full 360-degree lap of Mount Taranaki (Taranaki Maunga), with the mountain filling one side of the windscreen the whole way.
That's why a hire car matters here. City buses are fine around town, but they won't drop you at an isolated surf break or climb to the national park road ends. With your own wheels, you can chase the swell in the morning, stand in mountain rainforest by lunchtime, and still be back at Fitzroy Beach for a sunset swim.
Before you set off:
• Pick your direction by the weather. If the mountain is clear first thing, do your mountain stops early, as cloud often builds around the summit during the day.
• Side roads are the point. The highway sits back from the sea, so the breaks and beaches are down short side roads. Allow more time than the map suggests.
• Top up before you leave New Plymouth. Fuel stops thin out along the coast.
RaD New Plymouth Team Tip
"When heading out on Surf Highway 45, download your offline maps before leaving New Plymouth or Ōpunake! Cell coverage can drop around coastal points like Stent Road, but having your route saved keeps your beach hops completely stress-free."
New Plymouth Airport Collection & Coastal Access
Flying in: New Plymouth Airport car hire
Our New Plymouth Airport (NPL) service is a pre-arranged pick-up and drop-off, not a staffed counter, which is good news if you dislike queues. Book ahead and we'll leave your car in a secure parking spot at the airport, with the key in a lockbox beside it. Walk out of the terminal, unlock, load up and go. When you fly home, simply reverse the process.
Collecting in town: 592 Devon Street East, Fitzroy
Prefer to collect in person? Our city depot is at 592 Devon Street East in Fitzroy, just off SH3, about six minutes from the central city and 10 to 12 minutes from the airport. We're on site from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 8am to noon on Saturdays, with Sundays, public holidays and after-hours handovers by arrangement.
Getting around the city and coast
• Devon Street is the city's spine, running from Fitzroy through Strandon into the CBD. The central blocks are slow shopping streets, so through traffic is better off on the parallel one-way streets: Courtenay and Powderham heading east, Leach and Vivian heading west.
• Fitzroy and Strandon are leafy, low-speed suburbs with plenty of side-street parking, and Fitzroy Beach is only a few minutes from our depot.
• The Coastal Walkway runs for around 13 km from Port Taranaki to Bell Block, and you don't need to walk it all. Park at Ngāmotu Beach, East End Reserve, Fitzroy Beach or Lake Rotomanu (for Te Rewa Rewa Bridge) and dip in for as long as you like.
• In the CBD, check the parking signs for time limits and payment.
RaD New Plymouth Team Tip
"Flying in? Give us your flight details when you book, so your car is parked up and waiting before you land. Dropping back outside office hours is no drama either, just arrange it with us in advance. And before you return the car, top up at Z Waiwhakaiho on the corner of Devon Road and Smart Road. It's right near our Fitzroy branch."
Alpine Road Access to Egmont National Park
A quick note on names first. Since April 2025, Egmont National Park has officially been called Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki. You'll still see the older name on plenty of signs, maps and apps.
Three sealed roads climb to road ends high on the mountain:
• North Egmont (Egmont Road): about 30 minutes from New Plymouth. Follow SH3 south for 13 km to Egmont Village, then climb 16 km to the North Egmont Visitor Centre at 945 metres. Parking is limited until December 2026 while a new visitor centre is built, so arrive early or carpool.
• Dawson Falls (Manaia Road): on the south-eastern side, about 30 minutes from Stratford. The road is narrow and winds through native forest to 902 metres.
• Stratford Plateau (Pembroke Road): climbs from Stratford past the Stratford Mountain House to the highest road end at 1,172 metres, with huge views over the ring plain.
What to expect on the way up:
• Narrow, winding lanes. Forest presses in on both sides, so keep left and expect a car or cyclist around every bend.
• Fog and low cloud. Cloud can sit on the mountain while the coast is in sunshine. Dip your headlights and slow right down.
• Winter ice. Shaded corners can stay icy well into the morning. DOC suggests phoning the visitor centre to check road conditions before a winter drive.
• Single-lane bridges. You'll meet these on Taranaki's rural and mountain approach roads. Slow down, read the arrows, and give way if the small red arrow points your way.
RaD New Plymouth Team Tip
"Check the mountain forecast on the morning you go, not the night before, and if the maunga has its hat on, save the high road ends for another day. Coming back down, pop the car into a low gear and let the engine do the braking instead of riding the pedal. At busy trailheads, park only in marked bays, never on the verge or across a gate. Emergency vehicles need that road clear."
Surf Trip Gear & Remote Coastline Safety
The right car comes down to what you're carrying and how far off the highway you plan to wander. Our Taranaki car rental fleet runs from small hatchbacks up to 12-seater vans, so there's a fit for most plans.
• Surfboards: shortboards usually slide inside a wagon or SUV with the seats folded. For longboards, ask us about roof rack options when you book.
• Hiking boots and multi-day packs: a wagon or SUV keeps muddy kit separate from clean luggage.
• Camping gear and family luggage: a flat boot floor makes tents, chilly bins and suitcases far easier to stack.
Vehicle Class Recommended Trip Profile Key Advantage Compact Hatchback New Plymouth CBD stays, Len Lye Gallery visits, café hopping Outstanding fuel efficiency; easy parallel parking in Fitzroy & CBD Medium Sedan / Wagon Regional road trips, small families, boot luggage storage Smooth highway cruising with flat boot space for gear and bags Spacious SUV / AWD Mountain trailhead drives, Surf Highway 45 beach hops, gear hauling Superior ground clearance, high visibility, and room for surfboards 8-Seater People Mover Hiking groups, multi-generational family trips, sports teams Shared rental costs, maximum passenger comfort, and flexible cargo roomThe surf coast feels wonderfully empty, and that's worth planning for:
• Stick to formed public roads and car parks. Many breaks sit beside working farms. Don't drive across paddocks, through streams or onto the beach. Our standard terms exclude cover on unsealed private roads and for water crossings.
• Take gravel slowly. Some beach access roads are unsealed for the last stretch.
• Watch for stock and tankers. This is dairy country, so expect milk tankers, tractors and the occasional herd on the road.
Unmissable Self-Drive Scenic Stops from New Plymouth
1. North Egmont Visitor Centre & the Pouakai Circuit
In about 30 minutes you go from sea level to the edge of the alpine zone. The last 6 km of Egmont Road winds through dense podocarp rainforest, with big rimu and rātā on the lower slopes.
North Egmont is also the traditional start of the Pouakai Circuit, a two to three day tramp past the famous Pouakai tarns, where the maunga reflects in still water on a calm, clear morning. If that tarn photo is your main goal, DOC points to the Mangorei Track, from the top of Mangorei Road south of the city, as a much easier day walk.
2. Surf Highway 45 Loop to Ōpunake
Head out of town on SH45 and the coast unfolds one side road at a time. Ōakura is the first stop for a swim and a coffee, then the legendary breaks stack up: Ahu Ahu, Kumara Patch and Stent Road. Even if you never touch a board, the black-sand and boulder beaches and the constant view of the mountain make this one of the North Island's great coastal drives. Ōpunake is about 62 km and 55 minutes from New Plymouth without stops.
One heritage site deserves a special mention. Parihaka, inland from the highway, was the centre of Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi's campaign of peaceful resistance to land confiscation, and was invaded by government troops in November 1881. It remains a living community and not a drop-in attraction, so please don't turn up unannounced.
3. Pukekura Park & Len Lye Centre Cultural Cruise
Save this one for a rest day, or for when the mountain is hiding. Start at the Len Lye Centre / Govett-Brewster Art Gallery at 42 Queen Street, where the rippling, mirror-finish steel façade is an artwork in its own right. It's open 10am to 5pm daily, and admission is charged for visitors from outside the district.
From there it's a short drive to Pukekura Park, the city's botanical heart, with lakes, fern-filled gullies and free entry. Park on a surrounding street and wander, then cruise back along the waterfront to Fitzroy Beach.
Ready to Explore Taranaki?
Planning a trip around the mountain? Check live rates for car hire in New Plymouth with RaD Car Hire New Plymouth and lock in the right vehicle before the summer rush. If you’re a local looking for alternative car rental, we also have a branch located in Stratford, offering the same great deals on car rental in Taranaki and the customer service you can expect from any of our 20+ branches throughout the country.
Not sure which vehicle suits your plans? Browse our fleet or call the team on 06 757 5362. We're always happy to talk routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does RaD Car Hire New Plymouth Airport pick-up work?
Our New Plymouth Airport car hire service is pre-arranged, so book before you fly. We leave your vehicle in a secure parking spot at the airport with the key in a lockbox beside it. To drop off, park up and reverse the process.
Where is the RaD Car Hire New Plymouth city depot located?
At 592 Devon Street East, Fitzroy, New Plymouth 4312, just off SH3 and about six minutes from the central city.
Can I take a RaD rental car up Mount Taranaki to Egmont National Park?
Yes. The access roads to North Egmont, Dawson Falls and the Stratford Plateau are sealed public roads. Drive to the weather, take extra care in winter, and remember our standard terms exclude cover on unsealed private roads and for water crossings.
What is the best vehicle for driving Surf Highway 45 with surfboards and sports gear?
An SUV/AWD or wagon makes the best Surf Highway 45 rental car: load space for boards and bags, and a little more clearance for gravel access roads. For groups, an 8-seater people mover keeps everyone in one vehicle.
Where can I refuel my rental car near the New Plymouth branch or airport before returning it?
Z Waiwhakaiho, on the corner of Devon Road and Smart Road, is the handiest stop for our Fitzroy branch. Returning the car with the tank topped up avoids a refuelling charge.
How long does it take to drive the full loop around Mount Taranaki?
The full circuit on Surf Highway 45 and SH3 is roughly 175 km, or around two and a half hours of driving without stops. With beach detours, a mountain road end and lunch, it comfortably fills a day.