Catherine Stewart – Fresh Look at New Plymouth

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I have to confess that I have not been to New Plymouth for over 25 years!

I got an appetite for returning to New Plymouth when flying from Dunedin to Auckland on Jetstar earlier this year. It was a beautiful, sunny day with fantastic views of Mount Taranaki.

At Easter we decided to catch up with relatives and check out New Plymouth. We took our bikes to enable us to explore the Coastal Walkway.

I was pleasantly surprised with the drive. Although it took us over 4 hours from the Bay of Plenty, it was scenic with some stunning bush and ocean vistas as we got closer to our destination.

When we arrived at the I-Site in the centre of New Plymouth we set off on our cycles along the 11km Coastal Walkway. We checked out the Leeward breakwater and Marina before cycling back to the city and out to Fitzroy golf course and the stunning new Te Rewa Rewa Bridge.

Next day we drove down to Hawera and spent some 3 hours looking around Tawhiti Museum and Traders & Whalers. When I was looking at the intricate train set I asked the gentleman who was cleaning the windows if the person who started the Museum was still alive. He replied “I hope so, that is me!” Nigel and Teresa Ogle bought the 70 year old Tawhiti Cheese factory in 1975. Nigel’s passion and skills are obvious as you wander around this amazing Museum.

In the afternoon we visited Pukeiti, a magnificent rainforest on the lower slopes of Mount Taranaki with over 10,000 rhododendrons and azaleas. We had afternoon tea at the Gatehouse Cafe.

Next time I return I shall check out the Forgotten World Highway, New Zealand’s oldest touring route between Stratford and Taumarunui.

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Photos:

  • Te Rewa Rewa Bridge and Mount Taranaki
  • Sun setting on Coastal Walkway
  • Traders & Whalers, Hawera