Things to Do in New Plymouth

• Egmont National Park
  With Mount Taranaki/Egmont at its heart, this scenic 33,534ha park is one of the country's most accessible, providing more than 140km of walking tracks, and skiing during winter.
• Lake Mangamahoe
  This lake and wildlife reserve south of the city is a popular picnic spot, known for its beautiful reflections of Mount Taranaki.
• Govett-Brewster Art Gallery
  One of the country's finest contemporary art galleries, and famous for its film archive on the pioneer animator, Len Lye.
• New Plymouth Coastal Walkway
  Stretching for 7km along the city coastline, the walkway is an ideal place for walkers, rollerbladers, cyclists and runners.
• Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival
  Held from late October to early November, this festival showcases more than 60 private gardens in Taranaki, 'The Garden of New Zealand'.
• Pukeiti
  A magnificent hybrid rhododendron and azalea garden set in 360ha of rainforest 20km south of New Plymouth. The blooms are best seen from September to November.
• Pukekura Park
  A 52ha reserve of ponds, streams, waterfalls, native ferns and trees, exotic shrub, terraced glasshouses and Brooklands Zoo. The park is especially beautiful in the evenings from December to early February, when the gardens are floodlit for the TSB Bank Festival of Lights.
• Brooklands Park
  Adjoining Pukekura, this attractive park features the Bowl of Brooklands – an open-air soundshell set against a backdrop of native bush and seating up to 19,000 people.
• Heritage Walkway
  A self-guided Heritage Walkway takes in some 30 historic buildings around the city, including St Mary's Church on Vivian Street – the oldest stone church in New Zealand – and Richmond Cottage, on Airiki Street. A leaflet is available from the information centre.
• Wineries
  Sentry Hill Winery is set in berry gardens, with free sampling and the opportunity to pick your own fruit in season. Cottage Wines specialises in fruit wines, honey mead and cider. Winery tours are available by arrangement.
• Surfing
  New Plymouth's coastline offers world-class windsurfing and surfing, with good surf spots at Fitzroy, East End, Back Beach and Oakura.
• Sugar Loaf Islands Conservation Area
  A volcanic group of islands and rocks scattered off the western foreshore of the city, and a refuge for native fur seals and seabirds. The park offers opportunities for diving, bird watching, walks, sailing and surfing, while the seal colony is best viewed from June to October.
• Todd Energy Aquatic Centre
  Facilities include New Zealand's tallest hydroslide, a wave machine, indoor heated pools, spam, steam room, sauna and outside pools.
• Puke Ariki
  A fully integrated museum, library and visitor information centre where the stories of Taranaki are told through permanent displays and an innovative activities programme.
• Paritutu
  This volcanic cone is a popular viewpoint offering a vista over the city and across to the Sugar Loaf Islands.
• Pouakai Zoo Park
  Exotic animals and birds in natural surrounds, and the largest privately owned primate collection in New Zealand.