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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.
Click
here to visit the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery
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