In between the orienteering and socialising, there are heaps of tourist and cultural activities to enjoy and cool corners of Aotearoa to discover. We’ve split up our recommendations roughly by the areas you’ll be staying or passing through.
And if you’re a local, why not send in your top tips for visitors?
The warm-up events on the 18th and 19th of January are both in New Plymouth, situated on the west coast of the North Island in the shadow of Mount Taranaki. There’s plenty to see and do in New Plymouth itself, and also on your way south to the Oceania 2025 events the following week.
New plymouth and mount taranaki
The region boasts a rich cultural and arts event programme and January is the perfect time to visit and immerse yourself in the beauty of the TSB Festival of Lights at the iconic Pukekura Park. Enjoy the long summer nights and relax with free live music every night. New Plymouth is also home to works by famous kinetic sculptor Len Lye, housed within the architecturally impressive Len Lye Centre.
There are signature food and beverage offerings to enjoy including locally brewed craft beers and gin. Juno Gin offers distillery tours and tastings, which are great ways to experience the story of this award-winning gin.
There’s room to explore too: The iconic Mount Taranaki – a nearly symmetrical volcanic cone – beckons you from almost everywhere in the region. The mountain and surrounding National Park areas are a haven for hikers and trail runners with favourite mountain trails being the Mangorei Track to Pouakai Tarns (4 hour return hike) and the Pouakai Crossing (6-8 hour hike).
Away from the mountain, the coasts also offer spectacular scenery, including rugged cliffs, and serene beaches just minutes from the city centre – be sure to take a swim at Fitzroy or East End Beaches. For running enthusiasts, there are so many options, from the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway to inner city river valleys. Lake Mangamahoe is a local favourite with a 5km running loop around the lake as well as a network of mountain bike trails. The Taranaki Trails Trust website has a comprehensive library of walking, cycling and running options.