Things to Do

(just a sample of the many things to do in Taranaki)

• Big Wave is a fantastic cafe, it is a must to visit when in New Plymouth. A great selection of food and drinks for all ages. A perfect setting, relax on a lounge chair and enjoy the sea views. Mike and Michelle are wonderful hosts.
  Location:
  East End Beach Reserve
  New Plymouth
  Phone: 0273057035 or 0211243742
  Open Mon - Sun: 9:00 am - 6:00pm (check Facebook to see daily opening hours)

• Brooklands Zoo is a free, family focused zoo which is home to farmyard animals, oriental small-clawed otters, ring-tailed lemurs and both capuchin and cotton-top tamarin monkeys, as well as a selection of colourful birds housed inside a walk-through free-flight aviary.
  Location: Brooklands Drive, New Plymouth or walk from the city centre through Pukekura Park.
  Hours: Open 9am to 5pm seven days a week, except Christmas Day.
  Facilities: Wheelchair and pushchair access, playground, sun shade, toilets and picnic tables.  

• East End Reserve: Nobs Line and Buller Street
  Another great park right beside Fitzroy beach. Explore the river and rocks and walk across the bridge.

• Pukekura Park's Fernery consists of three glass-topped caverns excavated into a hillside. Being below normal ground level, they create a temperate environment suited to display a wide variety of indoor and outdoor plants from around the world.

• Fitzroy Beach: Located off Beach Street, Fitzroy
  A great surf and swim beach. Surf life savers present during summer. Toilets and shower facilities. A great place for a day at the beach or for an evening stroll. It joins into East End Beach.

• Row Boats at Pukekura Park: A very popular way to relax in New Plymouths Pukekura Park is by hiring a row boat on the main lake. The clinker boats hark back to a bygone era, and are a charming way to explore the lakes environs and get close to the ducks and the occasional cormorant that call the lake home. Rowers can glide beneath the iconic Poets Bridge, a wooden red span that is almost as famous for its origins as it is for its much photographed design.
  The row boats are available for hire throughout the TSB Bank Festival of Lights (mid-December to early February) and nominated weekends in March.  

• Concerts at The TSB Bowl of Brooklands is a unique venue comprising an impressive outdoor sound stage and a large grass amphitheatre set against the backdrop of New Plymouths Pukekura Park. The bowl is a spectacular venue for summer concerts and when night comes, visitors and performers are spellbound as the lighting on the stage and surrounding trees takes effect. The bowl has seen performances by Sir Elton John, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Michael Crawford, R.E.M., Crowded House and Santana, and is also the New Zealand home of WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) in March every year.  

• The Te Henui is one of the most beautiful walkways in New Plymouth and yet, incredibly, it originates from a sewage pipe route!
  Grade: Medium
  Distance: 5.9km (two hours circular).
  There are many possible variations to the route which follows Te Henui Stream from East End Reserve to Cumberland Street. The route is circular with a number of different access points. You will pass historic places while walking through bush and forest reserves and across open pastures - all with the city only a stone's throw away!
  Visit www.newplymouthnz.com for more details  

• Te Kainga Marire - Maori for the peaceful encampment - is a skilfully designed inner-city native garden that mimics - and even improves - New Zealand's natural environment.
  Situated in a once weedy New Plymouth valley, Te Kainga Marire is now considered to be one of few private gardens of international significance by the prestigious RNZIH New Zealand Gardens Trust.
  The garden wraps around the Poletti-Clarkson family home, snuggles up to a coastal swamp forest remnant and pa site and spills on to the neighbouring river reserve and Te Henui walkway leading to the city and sea.
  This is a harmonious garden that weaves subtle textures and colours with quirky forms. Lush ferns, wetland plants, alpine treasures and native trees here make up a microcosm of the New Zealand landscape - a gem of Middle Earth.

• Wind Wanderers: A fun way to enjoy the coastal Walkway. Wind Wanderers are four-seater, pedal-powered bikes (or buggies). Great for families, friends, couples and kids to enjoy the breathtaking ocean views of New Plymouths coastal walkway in a relaxed, fun and safe manner. Wind Wanderers operate from either the wind wand or by the mouth of the Te Henui river during summer weekend days and early evenings. They also operate every day through the Christmas and Easter school holidays (weather dependent). We would love to see you down here to enjoy this Taranaki favourite.  

• Aquatic Centre: Tisch Ave, Kawaroa Park
  A heated indoor wave pool, fountains, outdoor lap pool, hydroslide, diving, learners and toddlers pools and a giant outdoor water slide. Walking distance to a Kawaroa Park playground and rock pools.
  Phone 759 6060 for opening hours  

• Tenpin bowling and entertainment.
  Hours: Monday 3.00pm to 10.00pm, Tuesday noon to 10.00pm, Wednesday 9.30am to 10.00pm, Thursday 10.00am to 10.00pm, Friday and Saturday 11.00am to 11.00pm, Sunday 10.00am to 9.00pm. Open school holidays from 9.00am. Phone: 06 757 8169 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            06 757 8169      end_of_the_skype_highlighting to confirm opening hours. Located: 34 Dawson Street, New Plymouth'

• Farmers' Market: Local seasonal food, meet the grower, taste before you buy.
  Our main all-year-round Sunday morning market is set in the heart of New Plymouth on Currie Street, (or on Huatoki Plaza in winter).
  Farmers' Market Taranaki is a vibrant scene where local producers meet local customers and visitors to the province.
  We ALWAYS run the Sunday market every week in Currie Street (Spring, Summer & Autumn) or on Huatoki Plaza (Winter) from 09.00 to 12.00.

• Go Karting Naki Nitro: NZ's fastest indoor karts. Loads of fun for all of the family. It's fast, it's fun... you are going to have a blast!
  Check out the website nakinitro.co.nz for opening hours and more details. Phone 755 0384  

• Chaddy offers a Captain's guide to some magical humps and bumps of nature. Sail by the ethereal wind wand Sugar Loaves. View the magical interchange of sun, sea, and surf. Cameras essential!! Enjoy the volcanic remnants on the coast.
  Email Chaddy rescue3@slingshot.co.nz  Ph 06 7589133 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            06 7589133      end_of_the_skype_highlighting 

• Heliview Helicopter Flights: We are your North Island mountain helicopter flight specialists, flying over Mt Taranaki and Mt Ruapehu; the North Island's two highest mountains. A trip to New Zealand is not complete without experiencing the beautiful Taranaki region from the air with Heliview. Fly over New Plymouth and the amazing coastline and the 8,260ft (2518m) summit of spectacular Mount Taranaki (Mt Egmont National Park).
  Call 0800 HELICOPTER (0508 435 426 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            0508 435 426      end_of_the_skype_highlighting) 

• Paritutu Rock & Reserve: One of the first things you will see when you come to New Plymouth is the very large rock that sticks out next to the very tall chimney. The chimney is reserve power station and the rock is called Paritutu Rock, within the Paritutu Reserve. There are amazing views from this reserve of the coastline heading south as well as the Sugar Loaf Islands.
  This is a beautiful area and great for walks, picnics, time out, surfing, fishing and exploring the beach.
  Paritutu Rock - the entrance and start of the track is on the Northern side and it takes about 15 minutes to climb.The track is a hard walk/scramble to the top but the views are spectacular and well worth the effort. You can see all of the New Plymouth coastline, city, port, and the Sugar Loaf Islands.

• Pouakai Zoo Park: 1296 Carrington Road (8 mile scenic drive)
  A must see if you have small children. You will have an interactive time walking around and seeing the animals - zebras, monkeys, lemurs, emus, pigs, donkeys, birds, llams, rabbits, ostriches. Say hello to the parrot - she may just say 'hello darling' back! Toilets available.
  Phone 7533788 for more details and opening hours  

• Public Sculptures: The history of New Plymouth District and the depth of its cultural diversity are told in a series of sculptures, crafted from wood, stone and metal. These public art works make for a fascinating art trail, with many of them having become iconic features in the district's landscape.