Right in the heart of New Plymouth you’ll find the multi-faceted Pukekura Park.
Established way back in 1876, the 52-hectare recreational reserve is a hub for sporting fixtures, festivals and garden rambles.
Each summer, Pukekura Park is home to the vibrant Festival of Lights (running from 21 December – 26 January) and the multi-day musical extravaganza of WOMAD (from 14-16 March) at the park’s Bowl of Brooklands, but you can visit year-round to appreciate the walking trails, the tranquil lake and gardens galore.
Colourful orchids, begonias, fuchsias and bromeliads abound in the Fernery and Display Houses – three glass-roofed caverns excavated into the hillside.
And, for a family outing, take the kids to the Brooklands Zoo on the outskirts of Pukekura Park, where they can spot monkeys, and meerkats and best of all, it’s free to visit.
