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New Plymouth
By Bachchat staff
Photo: Venture Taranaki. Rob Tucker
New Plymouth has grown from a farming centre to a city rich in art and culture, with brilliant galleries, studios and an excellent museum. This city is also popular for its surf, snow and parks.
New Plymouth’s 53 hectare Pukekura Park is a Garden of National Significance, featuring formal gardens, native bush, display houses, Brooklands Zoo, the Japanese Hillside and Kunming Garden. It also has lakes, rowboats, a fernery and a natural amphitheatre that has hosted many great concerts, including the annual WOMAD festival.
Puke Ariki, meaning Hill of Chiefs, is a purpose-built museum, library and information centre, with dynamic exhibitions telling the story of Taranaki;s past and present.
The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is one of New Zealand’s finest public galleries, housing the collection of film maker and kinetic sculptor Len Lye.
Where to stay
What to do
- Visit the Govett-Brewster Gallery
- Walk the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway
- Take in the Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival in October
- Take your board to Surf Highway 45
- Drive the Forgotten World Highway
