Visit New Plymouth

New Plymouth Activities and Attractions

Coastal Walkway - A 10 km walkway and cycle way runs from the Hickford Park, Bell Block to the east to Port Taranaki. A great way to enjoy the coast and farmland.

Puke Ariki - with a Museum and Visitor I-Site – this fascinating museum is set within the I-site with displays showing the history of the area. Directly across from the walkway where the Len Lye "Wind Wand" Sculpture is located….. it is a good place to start your city sightseeing when you visit New Plymouth.

Todd Energy Aquatic Centre - an indoor outdoor swimming pool complex with water slides etc set next to the walkway.

Brookland Zoo - is a small family oriented zoo-free

Pukekura Park - This well known New Plymouth Park covering 52ha (128 acres) is a beautiful place to wander the lovely gardens.........especially in spring when the azaleas and rhododendrons make a spectacular show. With Chinese red bridges, a waterfall and lake you could enjoy a picnic or lunch at the kiosk. The Bowl of Brookland is set within the parks....a sound shell for outdoor musical entertainment…one of the few still open in New Zealand. A must visit New Plymouth attraction!

Govett-Brewster - is New Zealand's premier contemporary art museum and home to the collection of modernist filmmaker and kinetic sculptor Len Lye.

Beaches - Oakura is a popular black sand surf beach beach. One of several nice beaches near the city.

Barrett Domain Walkway - has 3 short walks

• Rayward Bush Walk – 20 minutes
• Cowling Plantation Walk – walk through a stand of 50 year old kauri trees
• Lagoon Bush Walk – 30 minutes




New Plymouth Gardens

Famous for the rhododendrons gardens there is an annual festival held in August and a wonderful garden tour.

If you are in New Zealand in August you may be able to plan to visit when the Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival is on. You can visit over 50 gardens as part of the festival. Some are very well known New Zealand gardens including
• Tupare - A Queen Elizabeth II National Trust garden centred around the Chapman Taylor house, with trees and water features.
• Puketi – Socialsing in rhododendrens and azaleas......a large country garden
• Puketapu Daylily and Iris Gardens
• Tawa Glen Gardens - 1.6 hectares of rhododendrons, heritage roses, perennial borders and a lake.
• Sugar Loaf Marine Park – Take a boat tour around the islands or a diving tour to see the marine life.

Beyond the City

• East End Surf Life Saving Club
• New Plymouth, Fitzroy Surf Club
• New Plymouth, Waitara Swimming & Surf Life Saving
• Waitara, Oakura Board Riders Club
• Oakura, Surf Life Saving Taranaki
• New Plymouth, Ohawe Surf Life Saving, Ohawe Beach
• Opunake Surf Life Saving, Opunake.

There are lovely coastal views just beyond the Port of Sugarloaf mountain.

Surfies enjoy a plethora of good beaches.Being the west coast they will be surf beaches and not always safe swimming .

Surf Highway 45 - Oakura, Back Beach, Opunake, Stent Drive, Rocky Point, Ahu Ahu,

Leaving New Plymouth

Forgotten World Highway Map and Travel Route