Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.doc.govt.nz
)
A refuge for sea birds and over 400 NZ fur seals 1km offshore, these
rugged islets (Nga Motu in Maori) are eroded volcanic remnants. Most seals come here
from June to October but some stay all year round. Learn more about the marine park at
the tiny interpretation booth on the Breakwater Bay waterfront, or take a tour (
Click
Real Tart Gallery
GALLERY
(
www.tact.org.nz
; 19 Egmont St; 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat & Sun, closed Mon Jun-Aug)
To see what local artists have to offer, visit this 100-year-old reconstructed ware-
house. Exhibitions change regularly and most works are for sale. Don't miss the old graf-
fiti preserved under perspex!
Brooklands Park
PARK
(
www.newplymouthnz.com
;
Brooklands Park Dr; daylight hr)
Adjoining Pukekura, Brook-
world-class outdoor sound-shell, hosting festivals such as WOMAD (
Click here
) and
old-school rockers like Fleetwood Mac. Park highlights include a 2000-year-old puriri
tree, a 300-variety rhododendron dell and the farmy
Brooklands Zoo
(
www.newplymouthnz.com
;
Brooklands Park Dr;
9am-5pm)
.
Taranaki Cathedral
CHURCH
(
www.taranakicathedral.org.nz
;
37 Vivian St; services daily)
The austere Church of St Mary
(1846) is NZ's oldest stone church and its newest cathedral! Its graveyard has the head-
stones of early settlers and soldiers who died during the Taranaki Land Wars, as well as
those of several Maori chiefs. Check out the fabulous vaulted timber ceiling inside.
New Plymouth Observatory
OBSERVATORY
( 021 751 524;
www.sites.google.com/site/astronomynp
;
Marsland Hill, Robe St; adult/child/
family $5/3/10; 7.30-9.30pm Tue Mar-Oct, 8.30-10pm Tue Nov-Feb)
Atop Marsland Hill
(great views!) is this wee observatory. Also on the hill is the cacophonous 37-bell
Kibby
tolls out across the New Plymouth rooftops.
