The town itself, though not large, has a very pleasant feel with shops, cafés and bars, which are often open late and provide an ambience all of their own. There are also several art galleries, befitting a region that has more artists per capita than any other region in the country. Indeed, the Govett Brewster Art Gallery is renowned as a contemporary art gallery and is one of the town’s "must-see" attractions.
Most visitors to New Plymouth, however, are probably drawn more by the natural attractions of which, there are plenty. The coastline for one is almost as big a draw as Mt Taranaki… well at least for surfers and windsurfers, with several world-class surfing beaches located nearby. Even for those less inclined to ‘riding waves’, these are beautiful beaches that are simply worth seeing.
There are several walking trails in the New Plymouth area, totalling over 60-kilometres. These are well marked out trails and are less demanding that the hike up Mt Taranaki. Alternatively for more casual strolling, New Plymouth’s parks and gardens are a delight with the perfect climate for flowers such as rhododendrons, azaleas and roses to grow.
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Northland