Getting There & Getting Around

By Plane -- Air New Zealand Link provides daily flights from Auckland, Wellington, and Wanganui, with connecting service to other cities. Call tel. 06/755-2250 for flight information. The New Plymouth Airport is approximately 8km (5 miles) from the city, a 10- to 15-minute drive. Withers Coachlines (tel. 06/751-1777) provides shuttle service to and from the airport and they're much cheaper than taxis.

By Coach (Bus) -- InterCity (tel. 06/759-9039) and Newmans (tel. 06/759-6080) provide daily coach service. New Plymouth City Bus (tel. 06/753-9646) operates local city buses.

By Shuttle -- Cruise NZ Tours, 8 Baring Terrace (tel. 06/758-3222), departs New Plymouth daily at 7:30am for the North Egmont Visitor Centre at Egmont National Park, returning to the city at 4:30pm. Reservations are essential; the trip costs NZ$50 (US$36/£18) round-trip.

By Car -- New Plymouth is reached on State Highway 3 from Wanganui via Stratford and from the north via Waitara; or on State Highway 45, the coastal highway, via Opunake.

By Taxi -- Call New Plymouth Taxis (tel. 06/757-3000) or Energy City Cabs (tel. 06/757-5580).

Orientation

Devon Street East and Devon Street West are the main thoroughfares. Running parallel and to the north are the one-way streets Powderham and Courtenay, and to the west, Vivian and Leach streets. The main road into the city from the south is Eliot Street. Once you've memorized the one-way pattern, it's very easy to find your way around. The small towns of Stratford and Hawera lie to the south of New Plymouth.

Visitor Information

The New Plymouth Visitor Centre, Puke Ariki, 65 St. Aubyn St. (tel. 06/759-6060; fax 06/759-6073), is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm (Wed until 9pm), and Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays from 9am to 5pm (closed Dec 25). You can also find information on the area at on the Taranaki website.

Information South Taranaki, 55 High St., Hawera (tel. 06/278-8599; fax 06/278-6599), is open year-round Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm, with additional hours November through February; and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm (closed Dec 25).

Special Events

During October's Taranaki Rhododendron Festival, more than 100 private and public gardens open their gates. The TSB Bank Festival of Lights (tel. 06/759-6060) takes place in Pukekura Park, nightly from late December through early February, weather permitting. Call the visitor center for details of other events, or check the events calendar on the website.