A stunning Mount Taranaki dominates the plains of Taranaki making a great opening visual statement for the town. The mountain, the rolling hills, coastline and innovative architectural styles make this small town a favourite place for art and craft buffs to visit. While the town has 74,000 permanent residents New Plymouth and the surrounding Taranaki district has the heart of an international city with its cultural events and art galleries. Less than 5% of international visitors manage to get to New Plymouth which leaves plenty of space for visitors to binge on New Plymouth’s cultural attractions.
Best time to visit: Year round – shopping is mostly indoors.
Spring for garden lovers who are interested including public gardens into the weekend itinerary.
Get your walking shoes on and explore the art galleries, boutique shops and the quirky nature of New Plymouth’s central district and then it’s off to explore what the small towns of Eltham and Hawera have to offer.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is a building glimmering in the light with stainless steel curves that encourage visitors to enter. The building itself is a contemporary art statement. The dedicated Len Lye Centre is about the pioneer filmmaker and kinetic sculpture Len Lye.
Sculpture that talks, has sound and interacts with its audience is magical and here in New Plymouth is a homage to this art form. And there is a gift shop that will devour your time as you absorb the sound of movement.
Hawera is a small settlement with less than 10,000 residents. The quirky character of the town, its support for art and crafts and two outstanding private museums is worth an afternoon spent pottering around Hawera.
Hawera is the location for the largest dairy factory complex in the world, “Whareroa”, which has its own gas-fired power plant. The factory is not open for regular tours… yet. Your journey to Hawera is on the Surf Highway with black sand surf beaches making it a scenic drive between New Plymouth and Hawera.
Return to New Plymouth with your recently acquired goodies wondering how on earth you are going to get that lovely 1950’s club chair onto the plane, you’re loving the fabulous jewellery and the acquired art where it is going to hang in your home? New Plymouth eateries are a dining experience that would not feel out of place in Sydney or Auckland.
Dinner at
PREMIUM
Perhaps your New Plymouth weekend is a special event, an anniversary or celebration for couples. Then King and Queen Hotel Suites offers a magical place to build memories. The location is very convenient as it is in the heart of the town. The hotel is linked to the Nice Hotel and Table Restaurant through a lush tropical garden making it a great place to linger watching the world go by. To book or for further information click here for details King and Queen Hotel Suites.
On your way to Hawera you pass Eltham. It is worth a detour. Eltham is a town characterised by its shuttered main street where there are more closed shops than open. It is a record of the twentieth century and the move of a butcher, baker and candlestick maker to the local supermarket which is located 40 minutes away in New Plymouth. Take a wander along Bridge Street checking out what is open and what is closed with the net curtains a clear indication of ceased trading. Eltham is also home to inspiring art galleries and design stores.
A brisk walk along the Coastal walkway gives visitors an opportunity to observe the outdoor installations along the way. NEW PLYMOUTH COASTAL WALKWAY is a 13 km shared track beside a spectacular coastline finishing at Ngamotu Beach. Highlights include architecturally stunning Te Rewa Rewa Bridge and the Len Lye Wind Wand. Get inspired browsing Visit Taranaki detailed description of the walkway with where to go and how to walk. The walkway is a shared pathway with cyclists making it a great option to hire a bike for the day to explore New Plymouth.
Information from Venture Taranaki – The Coastal Walkway
The award winning Coastal Walkway is an expansive sea-edge promenade stretching almost the entire length of New Plymouth. Ideal for walking, running, cycling, skating, or simply enjoying the view of the dramatic west coast, the walkway connects popular recreational areas and the city centre to the sea.
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