Sights in Taranaki
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Pukekura Park
New Plymouth has several picturesque parks, the pick of which is the superb Pukekura Park. A 10-minute stroll from the city centre, the park has 49 hectares of gardens, playgrounds, bush walks, streams, waterfalls, ponds and display houses (open 8.30am to 4pm). Next to the main lake (full of arm-sized eels and ducklings), the Tea House (snacks $3-8; [hours] 10am-5pm) serves up light meals and cream teas. Row boats (per 30min $10) make for lazy meanderings across the water on weekends and summer evenings. The technicoloured Festival of Lights here draws the summer crowds, as does the classically English cricket oval, with terrace seating cut into the surrounding hills
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Govett-Brewster Art Gallery
The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is arguably the country’s best regional art gallery and the crowd-pulling jewel in the town’s crown. Presenting contemporary – often experimental – local and international shows, it’s most famous for its connection with NZ sculptor, filmmaker and artist Len Lye (1901−80). His work is well represented here, with showings of his 1930s animation as well as sculpture and super-clever kinetic works. The glass-fronted Café Govett-Brewster (meals $5-20; [hours] 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat & Sun) is also here.
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Brooklands Park
Adjoining Pukekura is Brooklands Park home to the Bowl of Brooklands (www.bowl.co.nz), a world-class outdoor sound-shell, hosting festivals like WOMAD and old-school rockers like Elton John and Fleetwood Mac. The park itself was once the grounds of a settler’s home, destroyed by Maori, though the fireplace and chimney survive today. Highlights include a 2000-year-old puriri tree, a 300-variety rhododendron dell and the farmy Brooklands Zoo (admission free; [hours] 9am-5pm).
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Marine Park
The rugged Sugar Loaf islets, a section of Back Beach on the west side of Paritutu and its waters 1km offshore, were made into a marine park in 1991. The islands, which are eroded volcanic remnants, are a refuge for sea birds and over 400 NZ fur seals. Most seals come here from June to October but some stay all year round. You can learn more about the marine park at the tiny Interpretation Centre on the Lee Breakwater promenade.
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Pukeiti Rhododendron Garden
This 4-sq-km garden, located 20km south of New Plymouth, is home to a remarkable collection of rhododendrons and azaleas. The flowers generally bloom between September and November, but it’s worth a visit any time of year. The scenic journey there passes between the Pouakai and Kaitake Ranges, both part of Egmont National Park (it’s a skinny road – keep your wits about you!). The Gatehouse Café (meals $7 to $18; open 10am to 4pm) is here too.
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Puke Ariki
Translating as ‘Hill of Chiefs’, xxx is home to the i-SITE, a museum, library, a cafe and the fabulous Arborio restaurant. The excellent museum has an extensive collection of Maori artefacts, plus wildlife and colonial exhibits. The regular ‘Taranaki Experience’ show tells the history of the province while the audience sits in podlike seats that rumble and glow.
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Taranaki Aviation, Transport & Technology Museum
Around 9.5km south of New Plymouth is the Taranaki Aviation, Transport & Technology Museum, which takes you on a trip down memory lane with its ramshackle displays of old planes, trains, automobiles and general household miscellany. Ask to see the stuff made by the amazing bee guy (hexagons ahoy!). The duck-filled Lake Mangamahoe (access from 7am to 8.30pm) is across the highway.
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New Plymouth Observatory
Atop Marsland Hill (great views!) is this wee observatory. Public nights include a planetarium program and, if the weather is clear, viewing through a 15cm refractor telescope. Also on the hill is the cacophonous 37-bell Kibby Carillon, a huge automated glockenspiel-like device which tolls out across the New Plymouthrooftops.
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Puke Ariki Landing
Along the city waterfront is Puke Ariki Landing, an historic area studded with sculptures, including the wonderfully eccentric Wind Wand (www.windwand.co.nz). Designed by Len Lye – the artist who has put this town on the map in modern times – this 45m-high kooky kinetic sculpture is a truly beloved icon of bendy poleness.
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St Mary’s Church
The austere St Mary’s Church, built in 1846, is the oldest stone church in NZ. Its graveyard has the headstones of early settlers and soldiers who died during the Taranaki Land Wars (1860–61 and 1865–69). Impressed by their bravery, the British also buried several Maori chiefs here.
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Tupare
Tupare is a Tudor-style house designed by the renowned architect James Chapman-Taylor. It is a picture, but the highlight of this 7km trip south of town will likely be the stunning 3.6 hectare garden surrounding it. Bluebells, birdsong – a picnicker’s dream.
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Wind Wand
The wonderfully eccentric Wind Wand, in Puke Ariki Landing, was designed by Len Lye – the artist who has put this town on the map in modern times.This 45m-high kooky kinetic sculpture is a truly beloved icon of bendy poleness.
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Richmond Cottage
The humble, artefact-filled Richmond Cottage was built in 1854 across St Aubyn St, and was moved to its present site in the early 1960s. We think it still qualifies as one of New Plymouth’s oldest buildings!
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Real Tart Gallery
To see what local artists have to offer, visit the reconstructed warehouse Real Tart Gallery. Exhibitions change regularly and most works are for sale.
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The Gables
The Gables is a former hospital, now an art gallery and medical museum.
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Cape Egmont Lighthouse
A photogenic cast-iron lighthouse that was shifted here in 1881.
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War Memorial
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Kibby Carillon
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Kawaroa Park
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Taranaki Tours
Offers several themed tours, strong on Maori culture and natural history.
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Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Park
These rugged islets, a section of Back Beach on the west side of Paritutu and its waters 1km offshore were made into a marine park in 1991. The islands, which are eroded volcanic remnants, are a refuge for sea birds and over 400 NZ fur seals. Most seals come here from June to October but some stay all year round. You can learn more about the marine park at the tiny Interpretation Centre (Ocean View Pde; admission free; [hours] 9am-5pm daily) on the Lee Breakwater promenade.
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Paritutu
Above the power station west of town is Paritutu, a steep-sided and craggy hill whose name translates appropriately as ‘Rising Precipice’. From the summit you can see for miles around: out to the Sugar Loaves, down to the town and back to the mountain beyond. These views have to be earned by a 20-minute scramble to the top. Well worth it.
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