Feel free to explore wonders of the ’Naki
It’s a four letter word that brings universal delight: free. And we’ve found New Zealand’s epicentre of free things, our ground-zero of nocost fun: Taranaki. Where else in the country can you head to the zoo, museum, pools, or even a light show – without spending a cent?
So, strap yourselves in: We’re taking you on a low-cost tour of New Plymouth and the wider region.
The Coastal Walkway
This 12.7km walkway hugs the sea edge along the city, punctuated with iconic landmarks like the Wind Wand and Te Rewa Rewa Bridge – designed to look like a breaking wave or whale skeleton. It also perfectly frames the towering cone of Mt Taranaki in the background.
It’ll take you about 21⁄2 hours to walk the entire length, passing inland lagoons, beaches, parks, an inner-city surf beach, and the city’s promenade.
It’s also an ideal bike track – or can pick up a free mobility scooter from the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre to explore the walkway. The scooters are available every day except Christmas.
Brooklands Zoo
There are only a few zoos around the world that are free, and New Plymouth’s inner-city animal park is one of them.
You’ll find everything from meerkats, otters, squirrel monkeys, leopard geckos, the critically endangered cotton-top tamarin, alpacas, and the resident food guzzlers: kunekune pigs.
The zoo is a delight for kids, with a playground and picnic area.
Pukekura Park and Festival of Lights
This vast park is the beating heart of the city, with almost 130 hectares of walkways, lakes and botanic gardens. It’s also right next to the zoo, so you can make a day of both.
The standout highlight of our trip to Taranaki was the TSB Festival of Lights, which I think is one of the best free events in the country. The whole park becomes a treasure hunt of light sculptures: from a rainbow waterfall to a light tunnel, technicolour forest walks, colour fountains, and even giant bells that light up when you pull their ropes.
The event is hugely popular with locals – who discover new light installations each year – as well as an estimated 9600 tourists who travel to the city just for the event.
The festival – which next runs from December to February – also has around 50 live performances and plenty of daytime activities for the kids.
Climb Paritutu Rock
This ancient volcano, sitting very close to town, looms over the city. It’s a gnarly climb – with 100 metres of near vertical ascent, complete with a chain to help you up.
After 15 minutes of pain getting to the summit, you’ll be greeted with views over the Sugar Loaf Islands, the city, and out towards Mt Taranaki.
Drive Surf Highway 45
This scenic stretch of road from Ha¯ wera to New Plymouth will put a smile on any surfer’s face: there are countless spots to stop for a barrel – reputation ¯ among wave riders. including Oa¯ kura, which has a legendary
But, make no mistake – this isn’t all about surfing. With plenty of scenic driving, coffee shops, Cape Egmont Lighthouse, and even a lavender farm – there are plenty of land-based breaks on this drive, too.
Len Lye Centre
For those of us from outside Taranaki, you’ll know this as ‘‘the big shiny wavy building’’ – it’s the first museum in New Zealand dedicated to a single artist.
Len Lye was a pioneering film-maker and artist, particularly interested in kinetic, or moving, sculptures.
The Wind Wand in New Plymouth and the Water Whirler in Wellington (the waterfront pole that oscillates to create water patterns) were both his designs, and posthumously built from his plans.
The Len Lye building was designed to challenge the eye. Depending on your angle, the reflection constantly moves – just like his art. Inside, it’s a bold contrast: the waves lose their reflection and become imposing concrete pillars.
There are roughly two types of people who emerge from the centre: those who slowed down, read about the exhibits, listened to the audio commentary, absorbed it all and loved it. Or those who essentially walked in and out, and wondered
what the fuss was about. We were in the latter group. Perhaps part of the problem is that the building creates such high expectations of what’s inside – and it didn’t quite live up to those.
The Len Lye centre is free for locals, but a recent change means out-of-towners will need to fork out $15.
Goblin Forest
On the slopes of Mt Taranaki is an extraordinary forest, created after a violent eruption 400 years ago. The rimu trees that once hugged the mountain were wiped out and, over the centuries, ka¯ mahi trees have grown over the destruction. The result is what’s known as the Goblin Forest, a labyrinth of twisted trunks, all covered in a thick dewy moss that looks like it’s home to hobbits, goblins and gremlins.
Or, if you’re a glass half full kind of person, it’s the enchanted playground of elves, Smurfs, pixies and the occasional, very lost, Teletubby.
Goblin Forest is also known as the Ka¯ mahi Loop Track, which starts at the Stratford Mountain House – on the eastern slopes of the mountain.
However, the walk to Wilkies Pools from nearby Dawson Falls Lodge is an even better version of the enchanted forest, with the bonus of having a series of rock pools at the end of the track. Both are short walks, suitable for children.
Climb Mt Taranaki
Egmont National Park has more than
300 kilometres of walking tracks – from short, scenic, 15-minute loops to the three-day, 25km Poua¯ kai Circuit.
The day version of the walk, known as the Poua¯ kai Crossing, is considered one of the best walks in the country, even being compared to the Tongariro Crossing – just without the crowds.
During the summer months, you can even walk to the summit – it’s an eight- to 10-hour trek that is recommended for experienced trampers only.
Tawhiti Museum
This museum isn’t free, but is deserving of a mention as it is easily one of the most interesting museums we’ve visited, even on par with the ArtScience Museum, Singapore’s world-famous and highly interactive attraction.
Tawhiti Museum has a ride similar to the log flume at Rainbow’s End, but without the slides, and takes you on a journey through Taranaki’s history. The ride is lit by lanterns, complete with life-size models of early settlers and cannons firing across the front of the boat – which gives a glimpse into what life would have looked like in the 1840s.
The central part of the museum is an elaborate collection of scale models, telling stories about Taranaki’s turbulent past, including the land wars. We spent more than an hour looking at the intricate dioramas. It makes learning about our country’s past much easier being able to visualise it. If you have an interest in history, set aside the entire day.
The museum is near Ha¯ wera, an hour out of the city, at the start of the Surf Highway.
Other free activities
All rural pools in South Taranaki.
Puke Ariki museum, where you’ll find a complete moa skeleton.
The Taranaki Cycle Park includes a 1.75km closed road circuit and, for the kids, a mini circuit complete with traffic lights and roundabouts.
The authors were supported by Venture Taranaki and Air New Zealand.