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New Plymouth Coastal Walkway Cycle Trail
New Plymouth Coastal Walkway Cycle Trail
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This expansive promenade has won over a dozen design awards and stands out as one of the most spectacular walkways in New Zealand.
Distance: 13 km one way, 26 km return
Ride Time: 1–2 hours each way
Route Description
From New Plymouth’s central shops, head straight down to the coast. The Len Lye Wind Wand is a good landmark to start from. If you are driving, head down Egmont Street, to the car park by the coast. If you are biking, then go to Puke Ariki Park (next to the i-SITE) and take pedestrian tunnel under St Aubyn Street to the coast. From the Wind Wand, head east (to your right) and follow the main concrete path around the coast.
You’ll see interesting sculptures, views across the Tasman Sea and on a fine day, many people out along the path. After 2 km you will reach East End Reserve, where there is a coffee cart, a bike hire service called Wind Wanderers and a Skating Rink. Continue following the path around the coast and through a holiday park to the breathtaking Te Rewa Rewa Bridge. It is shaped like a giant wave, or whale skeleton. From the northern end you can look down the visual tunnel, directly at the 2518 metre high Mt Taranaki.
This volcano last erupted in 1854. At the Bell Block end you’ll reach the unique Taranaki Cycle Park, which has a velodrome, a traffic free road circuit and a kids skills track. It is at the end of St Andrews Drive. Most people head back from the Taranaki Cycle Park, but you can follow the coastal walkway for another 1.5 km, to Tiromoana Cres, which is on the coast at Bell Block. For more information about the Taranaki Cycle Park, go to www.taranakicyclepark.co.nz. It is open 24/7, except during events.
Don’t Miss
The Len Lye wind wand, and the Len Lye Centre on Devon Street West. Len is an internationally acclaimed innovator of twentieth century art, and his work continues to fascinate people today. The Puke Ariki Museum and Library at 1 Ariki Street (opposite the i-SITE) is well worth delving into. They usually have exhibitions on show. If you love gardens and large trees, take a stroll through the famous Pukekura Park, which was established in 1878, and Brooklands Park next door, which has a 2000 year old Puriri tree.
Cafes: There are plenty of cafes in New Plymouth, all within a few hundred metres of the Wind Wand.
Bike Hire: Wind Wanderers at East End Beach (right beside the Coastal Walkway) and at the Te Rewarewa Bridge. Normal bikes and novelty bikes. www.windwanderer.co.nz, phone 027 358 1182 Open 9:30am till late in the weekends and holidays.
Nearby Rides
Te Henui Walkway. Start from East End Reserve and go up beside the river, crossing it a couple of times, to Cumberland Street. This is 3.5 km each way.