New Plymouth - North Island, New Zealand

New Plymouth is located on the northern shore of the Taranaki peninsula, a bustling city with lots of commercial activity fuelled by the presence of Port Taranaki, an international port on the western coast of the North Island.

The New Plymouth airport is located 12 kms northeast of the city with shuttles into the city on request. The Visitor Centre is on Ariki St where long distance buses halt.

The Visitor Centre provides great information on the Egmont National Park and so does the Department of Conservation (DOC) office on Devon St. There are local bus services though infrequent. There are shuttle services to the mountain as well.

New Plymouth Accommodation

New Plymouth provides decent accommodation facilities at reasonable prices. This is a good base to explore the mountains and Egmont National Park.

There are a variety of accommodation options in the form of hotels, motels, farmstays, B&Bs (bed and breakfasts), backpackers, hostels and campsites.

New Plymouth Activities

In the New Plymouth city centre, the first thing that catches your eye as you head towards the waterfront is the Wind Wand, a slender bright red 45 metre tube that glows red in the dark and sways in the wind.

Designed by the visionary Len Lye in 1962, the lack of suitable technology in his time made it impossible for his vision to be realised until the advance of polymer engineering techniques in 2000. There are neat pathways on either side of the Wind Wand creating a beautiful waterfront park, great for a stroll.

The Govett-Brester Art Gallery at the corner of King and Queen Streets is one of New Zealand's finest contemporary art galleries. It houses the Len Lye foundation which was instrumental in the creation of the Wind Wand and all of Len Lye's art works are displayed here.

Puke Ariki on Aubyn St is a combination of the Visitor Centre, the library and an interactive regional museum. The upper floor of the museum has an extensive impressive collection of Maori exhibits. It contains the Tokomaru waka, the canoe that brought the Taranaki Maori to New Zealand.

New Plymouth has another distinction in the housing of New Zealand's oldest church, St Mary's Church along Vivian St. It was built in 1845. In the year 1972, a distinct Maori memorial was erected with carvings and tukutuku panels.

Behind the church, the Marsland Hill Reserve contains the Observatory with guided viewing tours of the night sky. From mid December to mid February, the famous Festival of Lights lights up the Pukekura Park with friends, families and couples enjoying the lighted pathways and live music.

New Plymouth boasts of one of New Zealand's finest city parks in the Pukekura Park and Brooklands. The Pukekura Park contains glasshouses, a boating lake and a cricket pitch.

The Brooklands area contains the Bowl of Brooklands outdoor amphitheatre, and many old trees, the highlight being a 2000 year old Puriri tree. It also has an 1847 former hospital converted into the current medical museum. Kids can enjoy themselves at the Brooklands Zoo.

To the west of New Plymouth, 4 kms away from the city centre, is Port Taranaki and the power station located at the base of Paritutu Rock, a culturally significant feature for the Maori.

It is a natural fortress separating Taranaki and Te Atiawa provinces. Though it is regarded as sacred, you are still allowed to climb to the top which is a 20 minute scramble each way with a steel cable providing support. The view of the coast and the sea is amazing from the top.

Clearly visible from the top of Paritutu Rock is the Sugar Loaf Marine Reserve administered by the DOC. It consists of ancient inactive volcanoes that were once occupied by Maori and named as such by Captain Cook in 1710.

The islands contain rare plants, little blue penguins, petrel sea birds and shearwaters that are oceanic birds that seem to shear the water as they fly along the surface.

These islands welcome migratory humpback whales and dolphins. Its undersea canyons sport varieties of fish species, sponges and seaweeds. The tidal rocks are home to a breeding colony of fur seals. Though the islands are off limits, there are operators who provide a round-the-island trip on a lifeboat.

Heading south out of the city on Carrington Rd, you can see the historic Hurworth Cottage, built in 1856 and restored to its original appearance. Further south is the Pouakai Zoo Park.

Further down a fair distance is the famous Pukeiti rainforest garden with New Zealand's largest collection of rhododendrons and azaleas. This is the place in November where the famous Rhododendron Festival is held.

About 15 kilometres southeast of New Plymouth is Waitara, a quiet coastal village where the Waitara Campaign trail starts. It is a 19 kilometre drive with boards and signs tracing the culture clash that caused the first Taranaki Land War.

Sentry Hill Winery is a great place for free sampling and buying fruit wines. It is about 8 kilometres south of Waitara off SH3.

New Plymouth has some great cafes, restaurants and bars along Devon St in what is called the Devon Mile. The Taranaki Festival of the Arts lasts for about 3 weeks and is the largest provincial festival in New Zealand.

It is held every odd numbered year at locations all over town in late July and early August. There is also a 3 day world music festival called WOMAD every odd numbered year in New Plymouth.

LooknbookNZ can take care of your New Plymouth accommodation and New Plymouth activities bookings and give you and your companions the opportunity to enjoy the interesting city of New Plymouth.