New Plymouth[1], a city named after its English counterpart Plymouth, falls in the Taranaki Region on the west coast of Northern New Zealand. Its also a great tourist attraction and could well be your next travel destination especially considering that COVID chart is well under control in New Zealand these days averaging hardly 2-3 cases each day. Chances are that it may have been totally flat by the time you read this article!
1. Visit the Wind Wand Kinetic Sculpture[2]. Wind Wand is a kinetic sculpture in New Plymouth and a major attraction of the city. The sculpture includes a 45-metre tube of red fibreglass, and was made to designs by artist Len Lye[2].
2. Stroll lazily across the Coastal Walkway[3]. The coastal walkway is about 8 miles long walkway alongside the coast of New Plymouth.
The walkway stretches from near Port Taranaki, past the central city, through Hickford Park, past Bell Block Beach and to Tiromoana Crescent in Bell Block, north-east of New Plymouth[3].
Image credits: By Ethangriffiths - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
3. Visit the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery[4]. Its a contemporary art museum in the city and an important tourist attraction. The gallery (established in 1970) receives funding from the local district council and is internationally recognized for its works of art and sculpture.
There is also an extension to this gallery called Len Lye Centre which was built specifically to showcase the works of Len Lye. It is home to the archives and studio collection of the Len Lye Foundation[4].
4. Have a jog atop the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge[5]. The Te Rewa Rewa Bridge is a jogging and cycling area for enthusiasts and exercisers, its a quite popular landmark and an ideal place to visit for both morning walks and evening strolls!
The bridge is part of the northern extension to the Coastal Walkway, connecting New Plymouth with Bell Block. The extension was made possible by a special agreement between Ngāti Tawhirikura hapū and the New Plymouth District Council[5].
Image credits: By Andrew Smith - originally posted to Flickr as Te Rewa Rewa, CC BY-SA 2.0
5. Sit leisurely at Pukekura Park and forget all your worries[6]. A garden of national importance, Pukekura Park carries cultural and historical significance for New Zealand. It covers an area of around 52 hectares and placed in the central location of New Plymouth, Taranaki in New Zealand.
The park contains a diverse range of native and exotic plants. Various easy walking trails cross the park and meander along the lake sides, taking in the features of the park. Among these are the picturesque Poet's Bridge, which was opened on 11 March 1884[6].
Image credits: By Pakaraki - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
6. Make your presence felt at Puke Ariki, the world's first purpose-built, fully integrated museum, library and information centre[7]. Opened in June 2003, this combined museum and library is an amalgamation of the New Plymouth Public Library (founded in 1848) and the Taranaki Museum (founded in 1919).
Its name, Māori for "hill of chiefs", is taken from the Māori village that formerly occupied the site[7].
Image credits: By Mike Dickison - Own work, CC BY 4.0
7. Shop all the goodies to your heart's content at Centre City Shopping Centre[8]! Its the only shopping mall in New Plymouth, hence a must visit for your shopping necessities such as food, clothing, etc. while you're here.
8. Marvel the scenic serenity at Paritutu Rock[9]. Paritutu Rock is situated at the coast of New Plymouth and stands 156 meters tall. Its an iconic sight along the New Plymouth landscape and a major tourist attraction here.
The remnants of an ancient volcanic crater which was active approximately 1.75 million years ago, Paritutu Rock is kept company by the seven Sugar Loaf Islands, also remnants from the volcano[9].
9. Marvel the beauty of Mount Taranaki/Egmont[10]. This place is an absolute must visit if you visit New Plymouth and happen to have an eye for appreciating natural beauty.
Mount Taranaki/Egmont is a dormant stratovolcano in the Taranaki region on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is the second highest point in the North Island after Mount Ruapehu[10].
And in case you also happen to be a Tom Cruise fan, a trivia that might interest you is that due to its striking resemblance to Mt. Fuji, Mount Taranaki provided the backdrop for the movie, The Last Samurai[10]!
10. Make a casual visit to the neighboring town of Bell Block[11]. Bell Block is a 10 minute drive from New Plymouth and a nice to visit suburb if time permits you to make one after enjoying the above things.
Some major attractions and artifacts to look out for in Bell Block are the WW1 memorial, Muru Raupatu marae (a meeting place for the Puketapu hapū), The Waipu Lagoons (home to a variety of wildlife) and the BMX track cycle park.
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