🇳🇿 New Plymouth 3-Day Itinerary | North Island Road Trip

📍 Day 1: Auckland → New Plymouth 🚗 8:00 AM - Depart Auckland 🛑 Pit Stops: Hamilton (toilet break) Te Kuiti (iconic sheep shearing statue + Maori Pa restrooms) 🌊 New Plymouth Highlights: 🍽️ Lunch in town ⚓ 1:30 PM: Cape Egmont Lighthouse (40min drive, sadly encountered racism here) 🏡 4:00 PM: Check into 4 Hulke Crescent Airbnb (⭐ 5-star host + spotless!) 🍷 Dinner: Area 41 Restaurant (ocean views!) 🥾 Day 2: Conquer Mt. Taranaki! ⏰ 8:30 AM - Breakfast 🏔️ 9:30 AM: Mangorei Track Trailhead (toilets available) 📌 Route: 3hr ascent to Pouakai Hut (slow hikers unite! 🐢) 20min detour to Reflective Tarn (mirror lake for epic photos) 1hr descent (knee alert! 🚨) 🍖 Dinner: The Pig’s Head (local favorite) 🌿 Day 3: City Sights → Auckland 🌉 9:30 AM: Te Rewa Rewa Bridge (fishbone bridge + coastal vibes) 🌳 Pukekura Park (free zoo + dreamy café with lake views) 🍗 12:00 PM: Lunch in town → Queens St Dairy (meh fried chicken, TBH) 🎎 1:00 PM: Tatsuno Japanese Garden (hidden zen spot) 🚙 3:30 PM: Hamilton pit stop → 6:30 PM Auckland #NZRoadTrip #TaranakiAdventures #NoFilterNeeded #TravelNZ #HiddenGems