Guidebook for New Plymouth
Food Scene
Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner! It is attached to the Len Lye Centre/Govett Brewster Art Gallery
17 locals recommend
Monica's Eatery
42 Queen StGreat for breakfast, lunch or dinner! It is attached to the Len Lye Centre/Govett Brewster Art Gallery
Local (10 minute walk from Ancombe), great eclectic vibe and gorgeous food.
36 locals recommend
Federal Store
440 Devon St ELocal (10 minute walk from Ancombe), great eclectic vibe and gorgeous food.
Arts & Culture
Len Lye Centre
42 Queen StFree entry, beautiful architecture and art, focus on sculpture.
Beautiful contemporary art - famous in the Southern Hemisphere. Free entry.
125 locals recommend
Len Lye Centre
42 Queen StBeautiful contemporary art - famous in the Southern Hemisphere. Free entry.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful trails around the lakes, mountain views on clear days. There is a kiosk/cafe and a good deck out front for feeding ducks. During December and January be sure to check out the Festival of Lights events - these are all free and incredible for chill music or activities with kids. The lights are on from whenever it gets dark and they are definitely worth a visit (made the most expensive spot on the NZ Monopoly board!)
130 locals recommend
Pukekura Park
10 Fillis StBeautiful trails around the lakes, mountain views on clear days. There is a kiosk/cafe and a good deck out front for feeding ducks. During December and January be sure to check out the Festival of Lights events - these are all free and incredible for chill music or activities with kids. The lights are on from whenever it gets dark and they are definitely worth a visit (made the most expensive spot on the NZ Monopoly board!)
About a 30 minute drive from Ancombe. It is a great hub for walking tracks of any length from an hour or so to overnighters or even the summit. Check out the map on my wall for details, the Department of Conservation website, or just pop into the Visitor's Centre at North Egmont for advice on which routes to take and what to prepare for. Basic gear list would include: a pack with... spare thermal tops and bottoms, raincoat (even if it looks sunny!), first aid kit, water, food.
22 locals recommend
North Egmont Visitor Centre
2679 Egmont RdAbout a 30 minute drive from Ancombe. It is a great hub for walking tracks of any length from an hour or so to overnighters or even the summit. Check out the map on my wall for details, the Department of Conservation website, or just pop into the Visitor's Centre at North Egmont for advice on which routes to take and what to prepare for. Basic gear list would include: a pack with... spare thermal tops and bottoms, raincoat (even if it looks sunny!), first aid kit, water, food.
This is a steep but short climb to the top of our iconic Paritutu rock overlooking the port, Back Beach (surf spot), and the city with stunning views of the mountain and the ranges on a clear day. It shouldn't take longer than 30 minutes to reach the top and is definitely worth the scramble. Stop off and run down the sand dune to Back Beach when you're done. A great picnic spot!
55 locals recommend
Paritutu Rock
Centennial DriveThis is a steep but short climb to the top of our iconic Paritutu rock overlooking the port, Back Beach (surf spot), and the city with stunning views of the mountain and the ranges on a clear day. It shouldn't take longer than 30 minutes to reach the top and is definitely worth the scramble. Stop off and run down the sand dune to Back Beach when you're done. A great picnic spot!
Essentials
Such a lovely supermarket, you will drive past two others to get there but it's only slightly further away and is just a nice shopping experience.
15 locals recommend
New World New Plymouth
78 Courtenay StSuch a lovely supermarket, you will drive past two others to get there but it's only slightly further away and is just a nice shopping experience.
Drinks & Nightlife
Amazing selection of wine and craft beer. Go along on a Friday night and sit out the back in their courtyard to experience a bit of live/interactive music and singing.
12 locals recommend
The Hour Glass
49 Liardet StAmazing selection of wine and craft beer. Go along on a Friday night and sit out the back in their courtyard to experience a bit of live/interactive music and singing.
Sightseeing
Beautiful Len Lye sculpture that moves in the wind. From Ancombe a great way to get there is to go to the very end of Lemon Street (heading North, it's only one block), down the gravel driveway (public), turn left at the bottom (you are now on the Te Henui walkway), follow this along the riverside past the bowling green, turn left over the bridge above the river mouth, walk for about 2km following the coastal walkway - you can't miss it!
26 locals recommend
The Wind Wand
Beautiful Len Lye sculpture that moves in the wind. From Ancombe a great way to get there is to go to the very end of Lemon Street (heading North, it's only one block), down the gravel driveway (public), turn left at the bottom (you are now on the Te Henui walkway), follow this along the riverside past the bowling green, turn left over the bridge above the river mouth, walk for about 2km following the coastal walkway - you can't miss it!
Beautiful bridge with a stunning walk and view. From Ancombe a great way to get there is to go to the very end of Lemon Street (heading North, it's only one block), down the gravel driveway (public), turn left at the bottom (you are now on the Te Henui walkway), follow this along the riverside past the bowling green, keep going straight (don't cross the bridge at this point) along the coastal walkway, following this for about 4km, you can't miss it!
50 locals recommend
Te Rewa Rewa Bridge
Beautiful bridge with a stunning walk and view. From Ancombe a great way to get there is to go to the very end of Lemon Street (heading North, it's only one block), down the gravel driveway (public), turn left at the bottom (you are now on the Te Henui walkway), follow this along the riverside past the bowling green, keep going straight (don't cross the bridge at this point) along the coastal walkway, following this for about 4km, you can't miss it!