Travel Diaries (New Plymouth)

Graduating in 2014 and having a gap year before I scored a job, left me with a lot of time on my hands. So I decided to fill this time with dance, music and of course as much travel as I could. Making an escape down to New Plymouth was one of my favorites, it meant I could get away from the hustle and bustle of Auckland.

New Plymouth, to me, is like Auckland, but on a smaller scale. It isn’t a small town like what many people perceive it to be (and sadly that included me). It is a developing town with a lot to offer from great fashion boutique stores, to even better restaurants, but because everything is in such close proximity, you can manage to squeeze in breakfast, shopping, a swim, a trip to the mineral pools, lunch and dinner into one day ( just like I did!).

Once in New Plymouth these are just some of the few things that you can do ;

• Taranaki Mineral Pools
  • There are spa pools which have warm mineral water continuously pumping through. This comes straight from rainfall in Mount Taranaki. Having a soak in the alkaline antioxidant water is believed to help balance acidity in the body, which in turn would help decrease the acceleration of  body aging.
  • There are private and public spa pools to choose from as well.
  • Below is the link for the webpage of the Mineral Pool.

http://www.pureone.co.nz/

• Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.  

Unfortunately the day that I did go to the museum, part of it was closed down for maintenance. So all I was able to see was the moving arts, which was quite neat in it self.

 

• Seaside Market on Ocean View Parade
  • The market happens every first Sunday of the month and it is one of the biggest events for the community. Local traders, farmers, artists, creators come together and set up their stslls to sell hand made items. You can get anything from coasters to candles, wall hangings, fresh vegetables and fruits, kitchen sauces and chutney’s, crystals and what not.

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  • The market not only has sale stalls, they also have a wide range of food trucks parked on one side. The wood fired pizza and quesadillas are for sure one of the best that I have tasted. Along with the food stalls they have entertainment available. I was lucky enough to get a chance to meet the “Bubble Man” of New Plymouth and create some of my own giant bubbles!

 

• Paritutu Rock
  • If you want to get one with nature and get some exercise done, this rock climb is for sure something to do!
  • The climb starts of with wooden stairs at the bottom but as the rock gets steeper the stairs disappear and the only support you have are chains on poles, which are stuck into ground. To my horror some of the poles were very unstable but it seemed to not matter to the other climbers who zoomed right past and climbed the rock. I, of course, couldn’t give in so biting down my terrified cries I climbed the rock after them.
  • This is a climb that you will have to go fully prepared for, with comfortable work- out attire. You need not be like me, who turned up to do the climb just in my flip flops. Yes, I regretted my decision when I saw the stairs end and the rock climb get steeper.

 

• Oakura River and Corbett Park Beach
  • This is a little pool of river that joins out into the ocean. The river is perfect for families and people who want a lazy dip on a hot summer’s day. I had a great time floating around in my giant donut!

I purchased this giant donut from The Ponsonby Pony Club. It is the perfect item for your summer and beach days! Link is below!

https://ponsonbyponyclub.co.nz/

Places to eat!

• Gusto Restaurant
  • I cannot deny my love for squid, obviously I had to eat squid on my trip to New Plymouth, so I set my brother and partner out on a mission to find me a place that sells some good squid! And here they found the Gusto Restaurant! Situated on the wharf with a pretty view and tables out on the deck. Food prices are reasonable with lovely staff. Needless to say; the squid was mind blowing!
• Radio Malabar
  • A South Indian cuisine. My inner Indian tends to get homesick on trips away, so I just had to make a visit to Radio Malabar! They have the amazing dosa’s and sambaars with one of the best cardonam ice creams that I have ever tasted!
• Salt
  • This is a restaurant you can afford to avoid. It is over priced with very bland and average food. If you are a vegetarian then, sadly, there is not many options for you other than fries, which weren’t that well done either.
• Deluxe Diner
  • If you are into your American style dining, then this is the place to be! Stepping into the restaurant you will be transported back in time, with a very themed setting for the restaurant. Their serving size is massive; one dish and two little girls like me can make a meal out of it!
• Manous Seaside Restaurant
  • They are situated on the wharf as well. Their theme is quite rustic looking and it is quite easy to drive past mistake it for a wrecked boat shed. But their food is very good, especially their seafood baskets.
• Petit Paris
  • This is by far my favorite eat out in New Plymouth. It is a small little cafe in the city which sells amazing French mocha and hot French croissants and chocolate danishes which are baked fresh each morning. This is the ideal place to go for a nice romantic breakfast date, catch up with your girls or just to have the best dam french coffee and croissants on your lonesome.