'''New Plymouth''' is the biggest city in the Taranaki region, located on the western coast of the North Island of New Zealand, about midway between Auckland and Wellington. It lies on the coastal plains just to the north of Mount Taranaki.

Understand

New Plymouth is the main center of the Taranaki region, which has a total population of around 100,000.

Get in

By air

'''New Plymouth Airport''' is located on the coast 7km to the north of the city at '''Bellblock'''. A taxi service is available to town (Cost: $15 - $20).

On the rare days when Mount Taranaki is totally free of cloud, southbound flights can get spectacular views of the mountaintop.

  • [http://www.airnewzealand.com Air New Zealand Link] operates services to Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, with 6 - 7 return flights daily to each, using 50-seat turboprop aircraft.
  • By bus

    Bus services to Auckland and Wellington run twice daily, with a choice of several operators. A new bus terminal was opened in 2004 in Ariki St.

    By car

    '''State Highway 3''' passes through New Plymouth.

    '''From the north''' (Auckland or Hamilton): State Highway 3 diverges from '''State Highway 1''' at Hamilton and runs via Te Kuiti in the King Country and Waitara in Taranaki. New Plymouth is about 270km from Hamilton and takes at least 3.5 hours by car, though allow 4.5 hours to be safe. A section of this road is narrow, winding, and includes a short single-lane tunnel. It is prone to closure by slips in bad weather.

    '''From the south''' (Wellington and Palmerston North): Travel via '''State Highway 1''' and/or '''State Highway 3''' to Bulls then via '''State Highway 3''' through Wanganui to Hawera, then inland via Stratford (which always has petrol 2c a litre cheaper than the standard price) and Inglewood. Wellington to New Plymouth is ~360km and takes 4.5 - 5.5 hours non-stop, depending on traffic near Wellington; allow 6 - 7 hours including scenic stops and rest breaks.

    '''State Highway 45''', ''The Surf Highway'', which follows the coast (though seldom in sight of it) around the west of the mountain, via Opunake, is ~25 km longer and hillier, but scenic, alternative route from Hawera. Allow an extra half hour over travelling ''State Highway 3'' direct.

    '''State Highway 43''', ''The Forgotten World Highway'', intersects '''State Highway 3''' at Stratford. This can be an interesting alternative trip from the Central North Island via Taumarunui. The road winds and climbs for 160km and includes about 30km unsealed though a spectacularly beautiful gorge. It's worth stopping at the numerous historical information boards along the way. Allow 4-6 hours. (''Note: There is no petrol available between Stratford and Taumarunui and this highway section is difficult to maintain.'')

    By train

    Passenger rail services ceased in 1985. The remaining railway line is used for goods entering and leaving the port. On rare occasions, a steam engine can be seen on the track. This most likely will be from the Waitara Railway Preservation Society, which runs the engine between Waitara and Lepperton.

    Get around

    See

  • '''Puke Ariki''', 1 Ariki St, [http://www.pukeariki.com/en/]. Museum, library, visitor information centre, restaurant and cafe. Free entry.
  • The '''Wind Wand''' [http://www.windwand.co.nz/] - A kinetic sculpture based on the ideas of Len Lye. It is a 45m pole, with a soft red light on top at night, that moves in the wind. On the foreshore.
  • '''Govett-Brewster Art Gallery''', Queen St, [http://www.govettbrewster.com/]. Considered the home of one of New Zealand's finest collections of Modern Art. Also the home of the Len Lye Foundation and a very good cafe and gift shop.
  • The glockenheim clock- please add directions
  • Do

  • '''WOMAD''' [http://www.womad.co.nz] - ''World of Music and Dance'' festival. March.
  • Festival Of The Lights. ukekura Park. ttp://www.festivaloflights.co.nz/. Runs annualy for about 8 weeks. The beautiful Pukekura Park in the centre of New Plymouth is lit up, with live entertainment and activities for all ages.

    Buy

    Eat

  • '''India Today''', [http://www.indiatoday.co.nz/main.html]. A great place to experience Northern Indian food in a clean and professional atmosphere.
  • '''Pankawalla''', [http://www.pankawalla.co.nz/main.html]. Indian Cuisine at its best, without actually going to India. This is truly fine dining in style.
  • '''Mookai''', Open seven days, early till late. All day brunch with late night treats. Relaxed funky cafe dining, easily the best in town.
  • Drink

    Sleep

  • Quest Serviced Apartments. 1 Currie Street New Plymouth North Island 4310. 64 (0)6 7585483. ttp://www.questapartments.co.nz/. Apartment style accommodation comprising of 41 Studio, one bedroom and two bedroom self contained apartments. Located on Currie Street in the current Post Office Building

    Contact

  • '''Computer Corner''', Richmond Centre, 1 Egmont Street, 06 7589700, [http://www.computercorner.co.nz/]. Shorter hours on Sat.; closed Sun. This computer shop has several computers with internet access. $1 for 10 minutes.
  • Get out