Destination guides > Pacific Islands > New Zealand > Taranaki > New Plymouth
New Plymouth
This is the major centre in the Taranaki region and is a very pleasant city with nice parks and open spaces and the Puke Ariki museum. New Plymouth has a great location with ski slopes and great surf beaches within a one-hour drive of the city centre.
New Plymouth is off the beaten track and none of the three main backpackers buses come here. The city doesn’t attract many travellers, which is a pity as it is one of New Zealand’s most underrated places.
Practical information
New Plymouth i-SITE Visitor Centre
Puke Ariki, 65 St Aubyn Street, New Plymouth
Tel (06) 759 6060
Website www.taranakinz.org
Open Mon-Tue 9am-6pm, Wed 9am-9pm, Thu-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm
Department of Conservation
220 Devon Street West, New Plymouth
Tel (06) 758 0433
Website www.doc.govt.nz
Open Mon-Fri 8am-4.30pm
INTERNET ACCESS
All New Plymouth’s hostels have internet access. Esquires Coffee (98 Devon Street East, New Plymouth) has free Wi-Fi access.
Coming & going
AIR
New Plymouth Airport has several daily Air New Zealand flights to Auckland and Wellington. New Plymouth Airport Shuttles (tel 0800 373 001) run an airport shuttle service that can pick up and drop off at your hostel.
BUS & COACH
InterCity Coachlines (tel (09) 623 1503) have services to Auckland and Wellington. Dalroy Tours (tel (06) 759 0197) run express coach services to Hawera, Hamilton, Auckland and Paihia. White Star Bus (tel (06) 759 0197) operate services between New Plymouth and Wellington with stops in Wanganui and Palmerston North. Buses depart from the New Plymouth Travel Centre on Ariki Street.
Local transport
New Plymouth City Bus (tel (06) 753 9646) operate seven bus routes in the New Plymouth area. A single fare is $3 ($20 for 10 trips) within New Plymouth or $5 ($35 for 10 trips) between New Plymouth and Oakura. The central bus terminus is on Ariki Street next to Puke Ariki.
Hostel accommodation
Egmont Eco-Lodge YHA
12 Clawton Street, New Plymouth
Tel (06) 753 5720
Seaspray House
13 Weymouth Street, New Plymouth
Tel (06) 759 8934
Shoestring Backpackers
48 Lemon Street, New Plymouth
Tel (06) 758 0404
Sunflower Lodge
33 Timandra Street, New Plymouth
Tel (06) 759 0050
Wave Haven Backpackers
1518 Main Road, Oakura (15km from New Plymouth)
Tel (06) 752 7800
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery
This excellent contemporary art museum combines a permanent collection with a variety of temporary exhibitions. It is an impressive gallery for such a small city.
Queen Street, New Plymouth
Tel (06) 758 5149
Website www.govettbrewster.com
Admission free
Open 10.30am-5pm daily
Puke Ariki
This brilliant museum is the city’s top attraction. It features excellent displays on the region’s geological and cultural history.
1 Ariki Street, New Plymouth
Tel (06) 759 6060
Website www.pukeariki.com
Admission free
Open Mon-Tue 9am-6pm, Wed 9am-9pm, Thu-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm
|
|
|
