Erika’s New Plymouth Guidebook
Parks and gardens
Where: 10 Fillis Street, New Plymouth.
Hours: Park 24/7, Fernery 8.30-4pm and Brookland Zoo 9.30-4pm (please check before you go for any special or seasonal changes)
Pukekura Park is according to the World of Erika one of the loveliest parks in the world - no kidding. I would recommend you take a picnic and take some time out to just meander among the beautiful greenery. Be sure not to miss the Brookland Zoo, fern house, the bridges over the lake, the water wheel and if you have kids or are still a kid at heart, the playground.
It is a Garden of National Significance, covering 52ha and featured in the Tom Cruise blockbuster The Last Samurai - spot the scene!
There is also a lovely cafe at the lake to have a spot of tea.
They often have open-air concerts in the Brookland Bowl to check the website npeventvenues.nz to book tickets.
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Parco Pukekura
10 Fillis StWhere: 10 Fillis Street, New Plymouth.
Hours: Park 24/7, Fernery 8.30-4pm and Brookland Zoo 9.30-4pm (please check before you go for any special or seasonal changes)
Pukekura Park is according to the World of Erika one of the loveliest parks in the world - no kidding. I would recommend you take a picnic and take some time out to just meander among the beautiful greenery. Be sure not to miss the Brookland Zoo, fern house, the bridges over the lake, the water wheel and if you have kids or are still a kid at heart, the playground.
It is a Garden of National Significance, covering 52ha and featured in the Tom Cruise blockbuster The Last Samurai - spot the scene!
There is also a lovely cafe at the lake to have a spot of tea.
They often have open-air concerts in the Brookland Bowl to check the website npeventvenues.nz to book tickets.
I love this garden and we go picnic there often. There is a lovely seating area down by the Waiwhakaiho river with free-to-use gas barbeques. There is also a lovely swimming spot in the river.
Tūpare is a former family home in the Arts & Crafts / Tudor style surrounded by a 3.6 ha park / garden. The lovely house is often opened up for visitors - check the website for dates.
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Tupare
487 Mangorei RdI love this garden and we go picnic there often. There is a lovely seating area down by the Waiwhakaiho river with free-to-use gas barbeques. There is also a lovely swimming spot in the river.
Tūpare is a former family home in the Arts & Crafts / Tudor style surrounded by a 3.6 ha park / garden. The lovely house is often opened up for visitors - check the website for dates.
The garden has a huge selection of Rhododendrons which makes a fabulous spring display October/November, but it is worth a visit any time of the year. See the water wheel, various outlook towers, rainforest walk and many more. Great place to have a picnic, but is also has a café well worth a visit even just to sit on the deck sipping a drink and taking in the views.
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Pukeiti
2290 Carrington RdThe garden has a huge selection of Rhododendrons which makes a fabulous spring display October/November, but it is worth a visit any time of the year. See the water wheel, various outlook towers, rainforest walk and many more. Great place to have a picnic, but is also has a café well worth a visit even just to sit on the deck sipping a drink and taking in the views.
Art Route
For something a bit out of the box, be sure to visit the iconic Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, a contemporary art museum in the city. Govett-Brewster is recognised internationally for contemporary art.
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Centro Len Lye
42 Queen StFor something a bit out of the box, be sure to visit the iconic Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, a contemporary art museum in the city. Govett-Brewster is recognised internationally for contemporary art.
The Gables in New Plymouth's Brooklands Park was one of four colonial hospitals Governor George Grey commissioned in the late 1840s for poor Māori and Pākehā patients. By 1900 all but the New Plymouth one had been demolished, but it had fallen into disuse and its future was uncertain. In 1903 the local preservation society campaigned to retain the building on historical grounds, perhaps the first public campaign to save a Pākehā building It was bought by Mary King and moved from Te Hēnui to Brooklands, where she transformed it into a family home. In 1934 the family gifted the building to the city and in 1985 it became an arts centre.
The Gables
26 Brooklands Park DriveThe Gables in New Plymouth's Brooklands Park was one of four colonial hospitals Governor George Grey commissioned in the late 1840s for poor Māori and Pākehā patients. By 1900 all but the New Plymouth one had been demolished, but it had fallen into disuse and its future was uncertain. In 1903 the local preservation society campaigned to retain the building on historical grounds, perhaps the first public campaign to save a Pākehā building It was bought by Mary King and moved from Te Hēnui to Brooklands, where she transformed it into a family home. In 1934 the family gifted the building to the city and in 1985 it became an arts centre.
The exhibitions at the KINA NZ Design Art Space, 101 Devon Street West, changes monthly and features work from established and emerging artists. It is worth popping in while shopping in New Plymouth.
Location:
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Kina NZ Design + Art Space
101 Devon St WThe exhibitions at the KINA NZ Design Art Space, 101 Devon Street West, changes monthly and features work from established and emerging artists. It is worth popping in while shopping in New Plymouth.
Location:
If you are exploring Surf Highway 45 stop at the Korver Molloy Gallery at The Old Okato Cheese Factory, Tataraimaka (only open on weekends). Check out the indoor fine art exhibition, as well as a sculpture walk through manicured gardens.
Korver Molloy Gallery
1729 South RoadIf you are exploring Surf Highway 45 stop at the Korver Molloy Gallery at The Old Okato Cheese Factory, Tataraimaka (only open on weekends). Check out the indoor fine art exhibition, as well as a sculpture walk through manicured gardens.
This gallery features works from Taranaki and New Zealand artists, including paintings, pottery and sculptures. The gallery, at 35 Ocean View Parade, is open seven days a week in summer and Tuesday to Sunday in winter.
The White Sail Gallery
35 Ocean View ParadeThis gallery features works from Taranaki and New Zealand artists, including paintings, pottery and sculptures. The gallery, at 35 Ocean View Parade, is open seven days a week in summer and Tuesday to Sunday in winter.
Museums
For more background on the area and its history, visit Puke Ariki in town. It features a brilliant display on the history of the settlers that came to this area. Its name, Māori for "hill of chiefs", is taken from the Māori village that formerly occupied the site. It also often features a changing exhibition so check their website or just pop-in. The i-Site for visitor's information is in the foyer.
Puke Ariki Library and Museum
1 Ariki StreetFor more background on the area and its history, visit Puke Ariki in town. It features a brilliant display on the history of the settlers that came to this area. Its name, Māori for "hill of chiefs", is taken from the Māori village that formerly occupied the site. It also often features a changing exhibition so check their website or just pop-in. The i-Site for visitor's information is in the foyer.
Mmm. to visit or not to visit... some find the entry to the museum too steep, but if you are a die-hard Holden fan it will be definitely worth it (which I am not...no apology).... But, there is more, the put-put is a LOT of fun and there is also a luge, though I have not tried that out yet. There is a cafe, but it is not on my favourites list.
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Museo dell'automobile e Mini Golf (putt putt) di Hillsborough
683 Egmont RdMmm. to visit or not to visit... some find the entry to the museum too steep, but if you are a die-hard Holden fan it will be definitely worth it (which I am not...no apology).... But, there is more, the put-put is a LOT of fun and there is also a luge, though I have not tried that out yet. There is a cafe, but it is not on my favourites list.
Outdoor Recreation
This well sign-posted circuit walk takes you on a journey around Lake Mangamahoe through production forest, up to impressive lookouts and among mature ornamental tree plantings that are mixed with pockets of regenerated native bush.
Lake Mangamahoe is 10 minutes drive south of New Plymouth city on SH3. You can enter from Junction Road and Plantation Road. Grade: Medium/ hard Distance: 6km. The lake circuit walk is an enjoyable walk for people of all ages. However, there are some steep undulating sections on the walk that require a reasonable standard of fitness and the track can be slippery and muddy in areas after rain.
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Lake Mangamahoe
This well sign-posted circuit walk takes you on a journey around Lake Mangamahoe through production forest, up to impressive lookouts and among mature ornamental tree plantings that are mixed with pockets of regenerated native bush.
Lake Mangamahoe is 10 minutes drive south of New Plymouth city on SH3. You can enter from Junction Road and Plantation Road. Grade: Medium/ hard Distance: 6km. The lake circuit walk is an enjoyable walk for people of all ages. However, there are some steep undulating sections on the walk that require a reasonable standard of fitness and the track can be slippery and muddy in areas after rain.
This is one of my absolute favourites and if you could, cycle the walkway to the port and back or visa versa: it is absolutely lovely! The start is right on our doorstep:
turn left in Northpoint Way, left again in Dillon and walk down to the T-section, turn right and follow Tiromoana Crescent to the sea. The walkway is on the left. It is easy to follow and takes you past a wetland, the famous Te Rewa Rewa Bridge (locals fondly calls it the Whale Bridge), beautiful beaches and the wind wand. You can also use the walkway for a traffic-free way to the city centre, aquatic centre and rockpools. The 12.7-kilometre Coastal Walkway ends at Port Taranaki. There are a few places to hire bikes from including one right at the port
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Coastal Walkway Foreshore
This is one of my absolute favourites and if you could, cycle the walkway to the port and back or visa versa: it is absolutely lovely! The start is right on our doorstep:
turn left in Northpoint Way, left again in Dillon and walk down to the T-section, turn right and follow Tiromoana Crescent to the sea. The walkway is on the left. It is easy to follow and takes you past a wetland, the famous Te Rewa Rewa Bridge (locals fondly calls it the Whale Bridge), beautiful beaches and the wind wand. You can also use the walkway for a traffic-free way to the city centre, aquatic centre and rockpools. The 12.7-kilometre Coastal Walkway ends at Port Taranaki. There are a few places to hire bikes from including one right at the port
You can see this prominent rock from almost anywhere in New Plymouth and beckons to be climbed. The climb is steep and chains are used, but if I can do it almost anyone not overly afraid of heights can do it. Just take it slow and easy and enjoy the views along the way. It is well worth it. Use good footwear as it can be slippery especially after it rained when you need to take extra care.
Paritutu
You can see this prominent rock from almost anywhere in New Plymouth and beckons to be climbed. The climb is steep and chains are used, but if I can do it almost anyone not overly afraid of heights can do it. Just take it slow and easy and enjoy the views along the way. It is well worth it. Use good footwear as it can be slippery especially after it rained when you need to take extra care.
Tramping the Pouakai Range is a must for all outdoor enthusiasts. There is various tracks (see the doc.govt.nz website for more), but one of my favourite day-walks is from the Mangorei Rd parking area up to Pouakai Hut and past to the Tarns, a beautiful reflective lake (big pond really). The track to Mangakotukutuku Falls is also worth exploring.
Please take the prescribed precautions when tramping Mount Taranaki as the weather is very changeable!!!
Pouakai Circuit
Pouakai CircuitTramping the Pouakai Range is a must for all outdoor enthusiasts. There is various tracks (see the doc.govt.nz website for more), but one of my favourite day-walks is from the Mangorei Rd parking area up to Pouakai Hut and past to the Tarns, a beautiful reflective lake (big pond really). The track to Mangakotukutuku Falls is also worth exploring.
Please take the prescribed precautions when tramping Mount Taranaki as the weather is very changeable!!!
If you love mountain biking you definitely need to go make tracks here. There is something for every ability. Great location!
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Lake Mangamahoe Mountain Bike Park
Plantation RoadIf you love mountain biking you definitely need to go make tracks here. There is something for every ability. Great location!
Chaddy's is one of the oldest attractions in Taranaki. The wildlife boat cruise is quite an experience giving you a closer look as well of the Sugarloaf Islands.
You could also hire paddle boards, kayaks and bikes there.
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Chaddy's Charters
Ocean View ParadeChaddy's is one of the oldest attractions in Taranaki. The wildlife boat cruise is quite an experience giving you a closer look as well of the Sugarloaf Islands.
You could also hire paddle boards, kayaks and bikes there.
Beaches
Fitzroy is my preferred beach for swimming, but East End beach just next door is also not too shabby. The spots are also popular with surfers, windsurfers, knee boarders etc.
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Fitzroy Beach
Fitzroy is my preferred beach for swimming, but East End beach just next door is also not too shabby. The spots are also popular with surfers, windsurfers, knee boarders etc.
All-rounder
Oakura is famous for it offering both both left and right hand waves for surfers. But it is also a lovely beach and swimming spot. The town has some lovely cafes, art galleries and shops. Definitely worth a visit.
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Oakura
Oakura is famous for it offering both both left and right hand waves for surfers. But it is also a lovely beach and swimming spot. The town has some lovely cafes, art galleries and shops. Definitely worth a visit.
Food Scene Bell Block
This café is on our doorstep: just go outside and look to the left, it is at next to the community garden. It is open Tuesday to Saturday 8am to midday. They do close for some periods during the year. Lovely ambiance and lovely coffee.
Gather Container Cafe
116 Mangati RoadThis café is on our doorstep: just go outside and look to the left, it is at next to the community garden. It is open Tuesday to Saturday 8am to midday. They do close for some periods during the year. Lovely ambiance and lovely coffee.
Lovely place, one of my go-to's. Nice atmosphere, outside seating area and beautiful food.
Eden Cafe & Restaurant
17 Bell Block CtLovely place, one of my go-to's. Nice atmosphere, outside seating area and beautiful food.
Pekaren
25 Bell Block CtYummy pizza and pasta and lovely vibe.
Mmm ... not my favourite go-to for Indian food, had better food at Punjab Grill in the city and there is a few on my list I still want to try out. But for a quick grab in Bell Block...go for it.
Masala Craft Indian Restaurant
Bell Block CourtMmm ... not my favourite go-to for Indian food, had better food at Punjab Grill in the city and there is a few on my list I still want to try out. But for a quick grab in Bell Block...go for it.
Chinatown Fast Food Restaurant
9 Bell Block CourtIn my opinion, they are the best local chippie.
Nice selection of pizza and burgers. Definitely worth a go.
The Block Gourmet Burgers and Pizza Restaurant
2 Pohutukawa PlaceNice selection of pizza and burgers. Definitely worth a go.
The White Pear Cafe
188 Parklands AvenueGood selection of drinks and food. Keto options available.