Pukekura Park & Coastal Walkway, New Plymouth Attraction
Coastal Walkway
New Plymouth’s impressive 7km Coastal Walkway forms an expansive sea-edge promenade which links the coast with the city. Running alongside the Tasman Sea and almost the entire length of the city, the Coastal Walkway stretches from the Waiwhakaiho River mouth in the east to Pioneer Park in the west and is a popular spot to take time out to enjoy the great views. The easy-grade sealed walkway is also well-frequented by walkers, runners, cyclists and rollerbladers.
Features of the walkway include access to Puke Ariki - the award-winning heritage and information centre – the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and the New Plymouth Aquatic Centre in Kawaroa Park. At the aquatic centre you can take a swim in the indoor or outdoor pools or make use of one of the many playgrounds alongside the walkway.
New Plymouth’s iconic 45-metre-high kinetic sculpture Wind Wand is now a well-recognised part of the walkway's landscape. There are also a number of interesting stone carvings and pieces of public art on and around the walkway.
Ngamotu Beach, at the western end of the walkway, is the safest swimming beach in the district. Beyond Ngamotu Beach, a climb to the top of Paritutu Rock provides 360 degree views of the region, the Tasman Sea and the adjacent Sugar Loaf Islands.
For those with mobility issues, a generous donation by the TSB Bank means that mobility scooters are available from the New Plymouth Aquatic Centre for use on the Coastal Walkway. The scooters are free to use between 8am and midday, and 1pm-5pm, and are available every day except Christmas Day. For enquiries and bookings, contact the council (+64 6 759 6060).
In 2004 the Coastal Walkway received international recognition for its design when it won the International Federation of Landscape Architects’ Eastern Region excellence awards.
Pukekura Park
Pukekura Park is an enchanting, world-renowned park covering about 52 hectares (128 acres) of land in the heart of New Plymouth. Awarded a Garden of National Significance in 2004, the park features bush walks, formal gardens, lakes, children’s play areas and a kiosk. The park includes the adjacent garden estate area of Brooklands, Brooklands Zoo and the historic colonial hospital The Gables.
The family-focused Brooklands Zoo is home to farmyard animals, otters and capuchin and cotton-top tamarin monkeys and also has a free-flight aviary. The playground and picnic tables make it a great place for a safe, easy and free outing.
TSB Bowl of Brooklands houses an impressive outdoor sound stage, and the grass amphitheatre provides a spectacular venue for summer concerts. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Santana, WOMAD, Mark Knopfler and R.E.M. and are among the many high-profile acts who have performed here.
The Fernery in Pukekura Park is a popular part of the park and features plants from around the world combined into stunning seasonal displays.
The park was also chosen by the directors of the blockbuster Hollywood film The Last Samurai as one of the film's locations. But whether you are a Hollywood star, a local resident or a visitor to New Plymouth, there’s something for everyone at Pukekura Park.
Opening hours
Pukekura Park - 7.30am - 7pm during standard mean time, and 7.30am - 8pm during daylight savings.
Zoo - Daily 8.30am-5pm including Christmas Day.
Fernery - Daily 8am-4pm except Christmas Day.
Pukekura Park & Coastal Walkway, New Plymouth Attraction Enquiry Form
Address:
In the heart of New Plymouth
New Plymouth
Phone: +64 6 759 6060
Fax: +64 6 759 6072
Web: Visit website
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