New Plymouth, pop. 79,800, is in the Taranaki region on the SW side of the North Island. All we really knew about the area was Mt. Taranaki and thought we'd basically bypass New Plymouth on the way north. However, the ranger at Egmont National Park (Mt. Taranaki) said it was worth a visit to Paritutu Rock, the Coastal Walkway and Te Rewa Rewa bridge, and he was certainly right!
After arriving at the New Plymouth shoreline, we climbed Paritutu Rock, a short and steep ascent with an amazing view of the coast and Sugarloaf islands. You start up some steep stairs and then it's pure rock and there's a chain hand rail for safety as you continue to climb. We met a guy who is soon off to Mt. Kilimanjaro and is training here. What took me about 30 minutes to climb, he did it in about 10. There's nothing like good training!
We then walked along the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway. We passed Chaddy's Charters and met David Chadfield, a former boxer-turned-charter-captain. His "office" is chock-full of marine and personal memorabilia including a picture of him as a boxer. One of 12, his father taught all the kids, including girls, how to box and Chaddy started at 7. Interesting fellow!
The Coastal Walkway was beautiful.
We walked a few kilometers as far as the Wind Wand, a 48-meter kinetic sculpture. The sculpture includes a 45-meter tube of red fiber glass, and was made posthumously in 1999 to designs by artist Len Lye.
Before leaving New Plymouth, we went to see the Te Rewa Rewa bridge built in 2012. The bridge is designed to evoke a sense of wind as a metaphor for the enduring spirit of the dead buried around the Rewa Rewa Maori Pa site. We thought it looked like a whale skeleton.
The best part was when we turned around--BAM--there was Mt. Taranaki fully visible!!!
We ended our day in Opunake, another small coastal town about an hour from Stratford.
First we took a walk to the beach.
It was Christmas Eve and we made it back to town in time to see the annual Christmas Parade. It was a wonderful small-town parade--felt like we were back in another era.
The next morning we walked the Opunake Coastal Path.
After arriving at the New Plymouth shoreline, we climbed Paritutu Rock, a short and steep ascent with an amazing view of the coast and Sugarloaf islands. You start up some steep stairs and then it's pure rock and there's a chain hand rail for safety as you continue to climb. We met a guy who is soon off to Mt. Kilimanjaro and is training here. What took me about 30 minutes to climb, he did it in about 10. There's nothing like good training!
Paritutu Rock
Climbing up STEEP stairs
And then climbing with chain assist
View from top
We then walked along the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway. We passed Chaddy's Charters and met David Chadfield, a former boxer-turned-charter-captain. His "office" is chock-full of marine and personal memorabilia including a picture of him as a boxer. One of 12, his father taught all the kids, including girls, how to box and Chaddy started at 7. Interesting fellow!
Chaddy (picture of him as a young boxer on the wall)
Chaddy had many interesting things including a Liverpool Class C lifeboat that rights itself within 15 seconds. We didn't get a chance to go out with him to check the self-righting feature. Maybe next time!
He also had an aquarium.
He also had an aquarium.
Pregnant male sea horse in Chaddy's aquarium tank
We walked a few kilometers as far as the Wind Wand, a 48-meter kinetic sculpture. The sculpture includes a 45-meter tube of red fiber glass, and was made posthumously in 1999 to designs by artist Len Lye.
Wind Wand
Before leaving New Plymouth, we went to see the Te Rewa Rewa bridge built in 2012. The bridge is designed to evoke a sense of wind as a metaphor for the enduring spirit of the dead buried around the Rewa Rewa Maori Pa site. We thought it looked like a whale skeleton.
Te Rewa Rewa Bridge
Mt. Taranaki
We were so excited! We got some great shots as we were leaving the area.
We ended our day in Opunake, another small coastal town about an hour from Stratford.
First we took a walk to the beach.
Opunake Beach with very black sand
It was Christmas Eve and we made it back to town in time to see the annual Christmas Parade. It was a wonderful small-town parade--felt like we were back in another era.
Bagpipers
Balloons and school kids
Steampunk participants
Windy lookout along the walk
Very pretty planted gardens
Cute doggie drinking pool in the gardens
Just goes to show...some of the best views are from the most unexpected places. Plus you got to practice for your future ascent of Mnt. Killimanjaro
ReplyDelete(as in it's a killer practicing for this hike) xo M/M
OH MY. After climbing the steep steps of Paritutu Rock, you can do anything! What a gorgeous view! I am overwhelmed at how much you took in on this sojourn; the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, Opunake and the coast path, the wind wand sculpture and Te Rawa Rawa bridge,(so unique) Mount Taranaki. Beautiful.
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