New Plymouth

New_Zealand

New Plymouth is the biggest city (population 50,000) in the Taranaki region, located on the western coast of the North Island of New Zealand, about midway between Auckland and Wellington, but well to the west. It lies on the coastal plains just to the north-west of Mount Taranaki (Egmont).

New Plymouth is the main centre of the Taranaki region, which has a population of 110,000.

The area has enjoyed the benefits of oil, gas and petrochemical activity and some of the public facilities in the city reflect this relative prosperity.

Modernisation has begun in the CBD with many new eateries and bars opening up, including boutique designer stores and artisanal producers.

Wind Wand

  • Puke Ariki, 1 Ariki St. Mon - Fri 9.00AM - 6.00PM (Wed until (9:00PM) Sat, Sun 9.00AM - 5.00PM. Museum, library, visitor information centre, restaurant and cafe. Free entry.
  • Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Queen St. Fri - Mon and Wed 10:00AM — 6:00PM, Thu 10:00AM — 9:00PM. One of New Zealand's finest collections of Modern Art. Has a very good cafe and gift shop. Attached to it is the Len Lye Centre, which opened in 2015 in a shiny new extension and houses a collection of works by kinetic artist Len Lye.
  • Pukekura Park. daily 7.30AM - 7.00PM (8.00PM during daylight savings). The city's botanical gardens. Excellent and well worth walking around. There are themed garden areas, small ponds and "lakes", attractive bridges and wonderful trails. Attached to the park is Brooklands a further large park, with concert stage and a small zoo. free.
  • Wind Wand, on the Coastal Walkway. A kinetic sculpture designed by Len Lye. It is a 45m pole, with a soft red light on top at night, that moves in the wind.
  • TSB Bank Bowls New Zealand Museum, Dean Park, Brooklands Road. Tue, Fri and Sat 10:00 - 2.30PM. the world's only lawn bowls museum Gold coin donation.
  • Kina NZ Art and Design Space, 101 Devon St West, +64 6759 1201. M-F 9:00AM - 5:30PM, Sa 9:30AM - 4:00PM, Su 11:00AM - 4:00PM. Commercial art gallery free.

Puke Ariki, 1 Ariki St. Mon - Fri 9.00AM - 6.00PM (Wed until (9:00PM) Sat, Sun 9.00AM - 5.00PM. Museum, library, visitor information centre, restaurant and cafe. Free entry.

Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Queen St. Fri - Mon and Wed 10:00AM — 6:00PM, Thu 10:00AM — 9:00PM. One of New Zealand's finest collections of Modern Art. Has a very good cafe and gift shop. Attached to it is the Len Lye Centre, which opened in 2015 in a shiny new extension and houses a collection of works by kinetic artist Len Lye.

Pukekura Park. daily 7.30AM - 7.00PM (8.00PM during daylight savings). The city's botanical gardens. Excellent and well worth walking around. There are themed garden areas, small ponds and "lakes", attractive bridges and wonderful trails. Attached to the park is Brooklands a further large park, with concert stage and a small zoo. free.

Wind Wand, on the Coastal Walkway. A kinetic sculpture designed by Len Lye. It is a 45m pole, with a soft red light on top at night, that moves in the wind.

TSB Bank Bowls New Zealand Museum, Dean Park, Brooklands Road. Tue, Fri and Sat 10:00 - 2.30PM. the world's only lawn bowls museum Gold coin donation.

Kina NZ Art and Design Space, 101 Devon St West, +64 6759 1201. M-F 9:00AM - 5:30PM, Sa 9:30AM - 4:00PM, Su 11:00AM - 4:00PM. Commercial art gallery free.

  • WOMAD, Bowl of Brooklands. March. The World of Music, Arts and Dance festival. Festival of Lights
  • The Festival Of Lights, Pukekura Park. Runs annually for about 8 weeks in December and January. The beautiful Pukekura Park in the centre of New Plymouth is lit up, with live entertainment and activities for all ages.
  • New Plymouth Observatory, Marsland Hill, Robe St. Nov-Feb Tue only 8.30-10pm; Mar-Oct Tue only 7.30-9.30pm. Volunteer run observatory $5.
  • Precision Helicopters Ltd. Scenic flights around New Plymouth and nationwide air charter services. from $480 for four people.

WOMAD, Bowl of Brooklands. March. The World of Music, Arts and Dance festival.

The Festival Of Lights, Pukekura Park. Runs annually for about 8 weeks in December and January. The beautiful Pukekura Park in the centre of New Plymouth is lit up, with live entertainment and activities for all ages.

New Plymouth Observatory, Marsland Hill, Robe St. Nov-Feb Tue only 8.30-10pm; Mar-Oct Tue only 7.30-9.30pm. Volunteer run observatory $5.

Precision Helicopters Ltd. Scenic flights around New Plymouth and nationwide air charter services. from $480 for four people.

New World Supermarket, 78 Courtenay St. Daily 7:00AM - 11:00PM.

Pak'nSave Supermarket, 53 Leach St. Daily 8:00AM - 10:00PM.

  • India Today, 40 Devon St. A great place for Northern Indian food. around $30.
  • Pankawalla, 85 Devon Street West. Good Indian cuisine.

India Today, 40 Devon St. A great place for Northern Indian food. around $30.

Pankawalla, 85 Devon Street West. Good Indian cuisine.

Crowded House Bar & Cafe, 93 - 99 Devon Street East.

  • New Plymouth Public Library has free Internet and WiFi access during library hours.

New Plymouth Public Library has free Internet and WiFi access during library hours.

  • Mt Taranaki (Mt Egmont National Park) is a short drive from New Plymouth. There is a Visitor Centre at the Park Headquarters and many trails up and around the mountain start there. The Visitor Centre is at an elevation of around 900 m so if you plan to hike higher, be aware that the summit is another 1600 metres above you. Watch the weather because it can change quickly.
  • Stratford - inland Taranaki town

Mt Taranaki (Mt Egmont National Park) is a short drive from New Plymouth. There is a Visitor Centre at the Park Headquarters and many trails up and around the mountain start there. The Visitor Centre is at an elevation of around 900 m so if you plan to hike higher, be aware that the summit is another 1600 metres above you. Watch the weather because it can change quickly.