Mike's proudly asserts its status as NZ's first craft-beer brewery (founded 1989) and when the beer is this good, why argue? Swing into Mike's new downtown beer bistro (mains $14 to $26) to sample some: its LongLine Lager is king of the regulars, while Led Zeppelin fans will get a kick out of the seasonal Misty Mountain Hops, a New England IPA.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby New Plymouth attractions

1. Puke Ariki Landing

0.4 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…

2. Puke Ariki

0.42 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…

3. Wind Wand

0.42 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…

4. Pukekura Park

0.44 MILES

Lush Pukekura has 49 hectares of gardens, playgrounds, trails, streams, waterfalls, ponds and display houses. In summer, rowboats (per half-hour $15)…

5. Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary

0.47 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…

6. Kibby Carillon

0.53 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…

7. Clock Tower

0.54 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…

8. New Plymouth Observatory

0.55 MILES

Atop Marsland Hill (great views!) is this wee observatory, with one of the most powerful public-access telescopes in NZ.