New Plymouth and Wanganui are both excellent cities for a cultural fix. Taranaki's Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is a prestigious contemporary gallery that holds kinetic artist Len Lye's extensive collection of work. In the charming Historic River City of Wanganui, the Sarjeant Gallery is a magnificent Category 1 Historic Place holding a collection of notable contemporary art and a range of touring exhibitions.
There are plenty of options to explore Taranaki and Wanganui by foot and the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway is a good place to start. This 11km paved promenade is an up-close Tasman Sea experience that takes in Taranaki's CBD and the 45km-high Wind Wand by Len Lye. South of New Plymouth, the Egmont National Park surrounds the beautifully symmetrical Mt Taranaki and has a network of walking tracks that include the creepy and gnarly Goblin Forest and the impressive Dawson Falls.
Keep your walking shoes on to roam through Taranaki's premium gardens and Gardens of Significance. The Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular is an annual 10-day festival in late October/early November that presents to an admiring public the region's resplendent gardens at their very best. The green-fingered will also be impressed by Wanganui's generous collection of gardens, including the Bason Botanic and the privately owned Paloma Gardens.
Another Taranaki attraction well worth checking out is Pukekura Park, New Plymouth's inner-city paradise and the venue for numerous events, including the popular Festival of Lights. Well-known features in the Whanganui National Park are the remote Bridge to Nowhere and the Whanganui River, which can be canoed or kayaked relatively easily for over 200km.
The Forgotten World Highway between Stratford and Taumarunui is New Zealand's first heritage trail and one of our most secluded roads. Stretch your legs and explore historic sites, scenic walks and the amazing views along the way.
Wind wand, New Plymouth © Peter Burchell
New Plymouth is a seaside city with a strong cultural core and a bustling port. It's fast becoming a lifestyle destination for big-city escapees keen to leave the urban grind behind but retain all the best things in life. More than 70,000 people reside in this very liveable city and its exceptional attractions make it a great destination for a holiday.
The city's 10km award-winning coastal walkway runs from Port Taranaki to Bell Block. A scenic 15-minute stroll along the walkway takes you from the central city to Breakwater Bay, a bustling coastal precinct alongside Ngamotu Beach. Breakwater Bay is a fantastic destination for a family adventure and it's also a great spot to watch a stunning west coast sunset. The friendly locals have created varied experiences from a cruise around the Sugar Loaf Islands and a helicopter flight over Mt Taranaki, to great coffee or a romantic meal at one of the many restaurants and cafés.
New Plymouth has earned its reputation as the events capital of New Zealand for good reason, so make sure you check out the city's calendar of events before you visit here. Your trip could coincide with WOMAD - the World of Music and Dance, a garden extravaganza or the TSB Bank Festival of Lights.
At the city's hub is one of New Zealand's contemporary treasures, Puke Ariki, an innovative museum-library-information centre complex adjacent to the sea. The city is also proud of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, which for decades has been identified as one of the world's most prestigious contemporary galleries. Home to kinetic artist Len Lye's extensive collection, a superb example of his work can be found at Puke Ariki Landing, where the red 45m-tall Wind Wand bends and bows to the fickle sea breezes.
Attractions
- For peace and solitude, head to Pukekura Park in central New Plymouth. This is an exceptional example of an urban space developed over decades into a national icon. One of Taranaki's Gardens of National Significance, the park is a 25ha haven of native bush with a glorious lake. Located adjacent to Pukekura Park is Brooklands Park with its natural amphitheatre and zoo.
- For some night-time action, try Devon Street on a balmy summer's evening or wintry night for dinner and/or nightclubbing. The range of bars covers a variety of tastes, and there's plenty of entertainment to choose from.
- Located at the heart of the Egmont National Park, Mt Taranaki is both a physical and spiritual force. Visit a Visitor Centre for information on the countless adventures through the untouched bush and alpine environment.
- Take a drive around State Highway 45 (Surf Highway) for legendary surf breaks and friendly small towns.
- Taranaki is rightly renowned for its gardens and if you like your horticulture with a good measure of heritage, the following two gardens near New Plymouth are definitely worth checking out. They're both in public ownership and are free to visit.
- Pukeiti is a 20-minute drive from New Plymouth. This expansive garden, with its world-class rhododendron collection, is set in a 360ha rainforest on the slopes of Mt Taranaki. Experience the explosion of colour as hundreds of rhododendrons and azaleas flower against the lush rainforest backdrop.
- Tupare is a uniquely landscaped heritage garden set in 3.6ha on the outskirts of New Plymouth. It was established in 1932 and features a Chapman-Taylor designed homestead in a breathtaking setting among cultivated gardens. Tupare has a magnificent collection of mature trees, water features and luxuriant garden borders.
© Peter Burchell