This two-headed artistic beast is arguably NZ's best regional art gallery, presenting contemporary – and often experimental and provocative – local and international shows. 'Great art goes 50-50 with great architecture' – so said NZ artist Len Lye (1901–80), to whom the shimmering Len Lye Centre is dedicated. It's an interlocking facade of tall, mirror-clad concrete flutes, with internal galleries linked by ramps housing Lye's works – kinetic, noisy and surprising. There's also a cinema here, plus regular kids' art sessions. Essential viewing!
© Wirestock/Getty Images/iStock
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre
Top choice in New Plymouth
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.54 MILES
Lush Pukekura has 49 hectares of gardens, playgrounds, trails, streams, waterfalls, ponds and display houses. In summer, rowboats (per half-hour $15)…
0.17 MILES
Translating as ‘Hill of Chiefs’, Puke Ariki was once a pā (fortified village) site, and is now home to the i-SITE, a fab regional museum, a library, a…
2.47 MILES
At 156m, this craggy, steep-sided hill is almost as tall as New Plymouth's old power-station chimney down at the port (198m). Paritutu translates as …
10.98 MILES
This sprawling garden, 23km south of New Plymouth, is home to thriving masses of rhododendrons and azaleas. The blooms are at their bloomin' best between…
2.69 MILES
Just past the Fitzroy Golf Course and accessible via Fitzroy Seaside Park or Peringa Park, this 83m-long bridge crosses Waiwhakaiho River and is part of…
1.07 MILES
Adjoining Pukekura Park, Brooklands Park is home to the Bowl of Brooklands, a world-class natural amphitheatre and sound-shell that hosts the annual WOMAD…
Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Park
3.58 MILES
About 1km offshore, these rugged islets (Ngā Motu in Māori) are eroded volcanic remnants, offering refuge for 10,000 sea birds and a colony of NZ fur…
20.28 MILES
A replica of the Cape Egmont Lighthouse, the Historic Cape Light & Museum is at the end of Bayly Rd, a touch further north around the coast from the…
Nearby New Plymouth attractions
0.04 MILES
If you lose your bearings in downtown New Plymouth (or just want to know the time), look for the kooky, stripy clock tower, which is often luridly lit at…
0.13 MILES
An appropriately austere stone New Plymouth landmark that presides over the Coastal Walkway and a public playground.
0.17 MILES
Translating as ‘Hill of Chiefs’, Puke Ariki was once a pā (fortified village) site, and is now home to the i-SITE, a fab regional museum, a library, a…
0.18 MILES
Developed in the 1980s, Puke Akiri Landing connects the city centre with the foreshore. The grassy area in front of Puke Ariki features a large, carved…
5. Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary
0.2 MILES
The austere Church of St Mary (1846) is NZ's oldest stone church and its newest cathedral! Its graveyard has the headstones of early settlers and soldiers…
0.21 MILES
The wonderfully eccentric Wind Wand at Puke Ariki Landing was designed by Len Lye – the artist who has put this town on the map in modern times. This 45m…
0.29 MILES
On top of Marsland Hill is the cacophonous 37-bell Kibby Carillon, a huge automated glockenspiel-like device that tolls out across the New Plymouth…
0.32 MILES
Atop Marsland Hill (great views!) is this wee observatory, with one of the most powerful public-access telescopes in NZ.