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new plymouth: general info
· city links
· history
hostels
· photos
· read reviews
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NEW PLYMOUTH
Calling Code: +64 6
The city of New Plymouth is on the northern shore of the Taranaki peninsula and is the commercial heart of the area.
Port Taranaki at the edge of the city serves as New Zealand's western gateway and is the only deep-water international port
on the west coast.
A tight grid of central streets are flanked by an attractive waterfront in this small
coastal town. You won't be able to miss the Wind Wand,
a slender, bright red 45 meter carbon fiber tube topped with a light globe that glows red in the dark and sways in the wind. On either
side of the Wand are pathways to a waterfront park and to the Coastal Walkway which stretches some 3km in each direction.
The commercial heart of New Plymouth lies barely 200m back from the waterfront, with shops and cafes lining Devon Street. Known
as the Devon Mile, you won't need to travel far to find a good feed or a cold beer. Downtown New Plymouth is backed by broad, hilly
swathe of Pukekura Park and Brooklands, a tranquil oasis that constitutes one of New Zealand's
finest city parks.
To the west of town is the Sugar Loaf Marine Reserve, eroded remnants of ancient volcanoes that now play home to sea lions and
other marine life. The 200m high Paritutu Rock attempts to mask the ugly power station and is of very important in Maori culture as it
marks the boundary between Taranaki and Te Atiawa territories. It's possible to climb the rock but it a steep walk.
Air New Zealand flies into New Plymouth from Auckland and Wellington daily. Withers
Coachlines runs a shuttle from the airport into the city on request (06 751 1777). Long distance buses drop off at the Travel Centre
at 32 Queen St, in the centre.
The main post office, with a poste restant service, is at 21 Currie St (Mon-Fri 7:30-5:30, Sat 9-1). There's a medical/dental care and 24
hour pharmacy at Medicross, Richmond Centre, Egmont St (06 759 8915).
Quick tips/suggestions
Grab some fish and chips and head down to Back Beach, near the Sugar Loaf Marine Reserve, and enjoy the view on a sunny day. Or
throw on some warm clothes and layers and climb Mt. Egmont for a bit of skiing or tramping.
Best Way to Get Around
Local bus services are run by Okato bus lines but leave a lot to be desired; the mountain can be reached via
the Mountain Shuttle. If you are gonna be in Mew Plymouth for long, it's best to have a car of your own.
If there's a place you've stayed or something you've done, but we haven't listed, review it for us!
 Bars
Grumpy Mole - a great place on saturday night
Crowded House - the place the watch rugby
Beaches
Back Beach - lovely views of the Marine Reserve
Culture
Puke Ariki - the newest museum in town
Hostels
Surf Inn Taranaki
UK2NP B&B
Nature
Mt. Taranaki - often compared to mt. fuji
Sugar Loaf Marine Reserve - a haven for seals and surfers
Photos
City Scapes - pictures of new plymouth
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