7 minute read
New Plymouth Must Do's
The West End Precinct
This is a vibrant community of businesses combining cafés and bars with some seriously cool boutique shops. Tucked away off the main street and opposite the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre.
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Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/ Len Lye Centre
An internationally renowned, contemporary art museum. The cutting-edge architecture sets a precedent for what you’ll find inside; Len Lye’s genius will impress.
The Wind Wand
Designed by Len Lye, this instantly recognisable kinetic structure sways 48m above New Plymouth’s esplanade known as the Coastal Walkway.
Pukeiti
Recent upgrades to this 360ha property include an impressive Treetop Walkway, education centre, Treehouse Trail for the young (and young at heart), a fitness trail, treehouse accommodation and a tunnel to a secret garden. Entry is free and 23km from New Plymouth.
Puke Ariki
Combining the Public Library and Taranaki Museum, this multi-purpose venue allows visitors to learn about the region’s past via interactive displays detailing Māori art, wildlife and geology. The New Plymouth i-SITE is also located here.
New Plymouth Coastal Walkway
Highlights along this 12.7km walkway include the Wind Wand, Fitzroy and East End beaches, the striking Te Rewa Rewa Bridge and, in summer, Paris Plage serving light bites and chilled beers.
Pukekura Park
Often described as the jewel in New Plymouth’s crown, this is one of New Zealand’s premier botanic gardens. Rentable rowing boats, a fantastic playground and café.
Brooklands Park
Here you’ll find a free zoo and the Bowl of Brooklands, a natural outdoor amphitheatre and acclaimed venue for national and international artists.
Tūpare Gardens
Awarded New Zealand Gardens Trust highest six-star rating, entry is free to this impeccable estate, with a picnic area by the river and handsome heritage buildings. Free tours of the house take place at 11am Friday to Monday, October until March.
Te Kāinga Mārire
Backed by a bush reserve, beside a mountain spring and packed with native flora, this is the quintessential Kiwi garden. $10pp entry.
Paritutu Rock
It may only be 100m to the top, but it’s 100m of almost vertical terrain. The far-reaching views across New Plymouth and surrounding coastline are well worth the climb.
Te Rewa Rewa Bridge
Why put in any old boring bridge when you can design one as superb as this?
Swimming at Merrilands Domain
Just a few minutes’ drive from the centre of town, a small sandy beach on the Waiwhakaiho River is a top spot for a picnic and a dip.
Taranaki Aviation Transport & Technology Museum
Explore New Zealand’s oldest methods of transportation, agriculture, communication, aviation and retro home appliances. Open weekends.
Ōakura Arts Trail
Visit local potters, painters, jewellers, sculptors and glass artists in their studios. Download the free trail map on oakuraarts.co.nz/map.
Stone Sculpture Symposium
From 1-21 Jan 2023, watch on in wonder as artists transform boulders into works of art as part of the Te Kupenga Stone Sculpture Society’s annual event.
Chaddy’s Charters
Throw on a lifejacket and head out to sea on an old Royal National Lifeboat Institution rescue boat. Along with seals and sea spray, Taranaki’s history comes to life with tales about the region’s first settlers, early whalers, local iwi and Māori.
amily at Pukeiti, New Plymouth © Jane Dove Juneau / Venture Taranaki
The Hideaway
Not only can you visit New Zealand’s largest private collection of Holden cars and memorabilia, but you can now race along on their brand-new luge.
Gover Street Gallery
A community-focused art gallery with exhibitions, workshops and gifts.
Mt Damper Falls
North of New Plymouth on the Okau Road. It’s a 1km walk from the car park.
Tapuae Marine Reserve
Providing a habitat for fish as well as occasional fur seals and whales. Snorkel off the beach at the Tapuae Stream end, or surf at Back Beach. You can also walk the entire reserve from Herekawe Stream to the Tapuae Stream in two hours.
Fenton Street Art Collective
Indulge in the wealth of art, history, hand-crafted gin and espresso on offer at this eclectic gallery and workshop space.
Lake Mangamāhoe
Arguably the best place for views of Taranaki Maunga, which looms over the lake looking absurdly attractive. Enjoy walks of varying difficulty orhit the MTB trails in the mountain bike park. Fifteen minutes from New Plymouth.
Guided Fly Fishing Taranaki
Catering for all levels of skill, from beginners to experts, experience the superb, uncrowded trout fishery of the beautiful Taranaki region.
Tawhiti Museum
Underground Boat This impressive private collection regails the history of Taranaki through life-sized and scale models. Traders & Whalers will take you back in time to the Taranaki Coast in the 1800s with an underground canal boat ride, and Tawhiti Bush Railway recollects the logging railways days.
Juno Gin Cellar Door
This award-winning distillery offers a range of experiences from Taster to Full Tour, and Cocktail Classes, all set in their bespoke tasting room with a guided walk through the distillery.
TSB Festival of Lights
Pukekura Park is the backdrop to the hugely popular TSB Festival of Lights, a free, annual six-week event featuring light installations, music shows and daytime family fun. Held from 17 Dec 2022 to 29 Jan 2023.
Taranaki Arts Trail
Between 28-30 Oct and 4-6 Nov 2022, this trail joins the Centuria Garden Festival to feature local artists and gardens.
Back Beach, New Plymouth © Rob Tucker
TONGAPŌRUTU
WHITECLIFFS WALKWAY Embark on a five-hour walk at low tide across farmland and coastal bluffs to see the dramatic white cliffs (Parininihi), Three Sisters and historic Te Horo stock tunnel. Always check with DOC for restoration closures and up-to-date access information.
THREE SISTERS AND ELEPHANT ROCK In Tongapōrutu, colossal 25m rock formations known as the Three Sisters, the sea is swallowing them one at a time (along with the Elephant Rock’s trunk that eroded away). See them while you can!
Three Sisters and Elephant Rock, Tongapōrutu © Rach Stewart
WAITARA
TE ROIMATA O TE ATIAWA STONE This commemorative stone in Waitara pays tribute to the iwi chief at the time of the first Taranaki War in 1860.
WAITARA RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY Chug from Waitara to Lepperton travelling along Taranaki’s historic Waitara Branch Line in an open carriage. Part of the track is New Zealand’s steepest. Running once a month during winter and on the first and third Sunday of each month over summer.
MANUKORIHI PĀ Waitara was one of the first areas in the region to be settled by Māori and its pā sits on a knoll above town. Arrange a tour to see the attractive carved meeting house, Te Ikaroa-a-Maui.
THE COASTAL ARTS TRAIL
Ideal for curious wanderers keen on the visual arts. This self-drive trail covers art galleries, museums and open studios running through the Taranaki, Whanganui and Manawatū regions, giving insight into the lives and inspiration of these creatives.Visit coastalartstrail. nz/map, and try to visit them all or narrow down the search to the kinds of artists and mediums that interest you most.
NORTH TARANAKI
AWAKINO This laid-back coastal town embraces the roaring Tasman Sea. With black-sand beaches favoured by surfers and spectacular West Coast sunsets: a hidden gem in plain sight. The town is also known as one of the whitebait capitals along with the nearby town of MŌKAU.
URENUI This coastal settlement comes complete with cafés including the Old Town Hall Tea Rooms famous for their traditional English Cream Tea and Cafe 487. You’ll also find a scenic marine reserve and a strong Māori connection, including the Urenui Marae where iwi events are held.
