New Plymouth on a Budget
New Plymouth is the place to be for backpackers who love city life but want to enjoy it on a budget! Whether you are drawn to art, music and food, or can’t resist the lure of the surf, it’s all here for you in New Plymouth. So get ready for these free things to do in New Plymouth!
We love how art galleries and museums are free-entry, as well as the city being a hub for passionate locals eager to put on free or cheap events for visitors and long-termers. New Plymouth is also so close to many awesome outdoor activities. The city is the start of the epic Surf Highway 45, so surfers have the convenience of the city with the waves on their doorstep. For those who prefer to stay on dry land, we’ve listed some of the walks and parks well worth checking out all within walking distance of the city centre.
There you have it, a weeks-worth of free or cheap things to do in New Plymouth. (And that’s before you hop in the car and explore the great Taranaki region). Enjoy it out there!
All right, let’s go over our favourite New Plymouth attractions that won’t break the bank.
1. Explore Pukekura Park – FREE
Starting off our list of the best things to do in New Plymouth on a budget is Pukekura Park. Easily accessible from the city centre of New Plymouth, Pukekura Park is not just your average city domain. Take your pick of multiple tracks through native and exotic trees to lookouts over lakes, water fountains, and check out more gardens to explore below. The park is very photogenic with its red footbridges, waterfall and waterwheel.
Location: There are multiple roads to access Pukekura Park. From the city centre, follow Liardet Street all the way to the end.
© NZPocketGuide.com2. Surf! – FREE/CHEAP
The expense of this activity really depends on how well equipped you are. Some hostels in New Plymouth have free surfboard hire depending on availability, while wetsuit and board hire is usually around the NZ$30-$40 mark. But you just can’t put a price on the famous surf beaches of New Plymouth. Check out Fitzroy Beach and Back Beach, or travel out of the city and find a ton of surf beaches along Surf Highway 45.
Location: Fitzroy Beach is at the end of Beach Road on the east side of the city. Back Beach has multiple car parks along the Surf Highway 45 just past Paritutu Rock.
© NZPocketGuide.com3. Climb Paritutu Rock – FREE
Next on our list of New Plymouth activities on a budget is Paritutu Rock. See that big rock at the end of the city? Don’t you just want to climb it? Well, you can! There’s a 15-minute walk right to the top of Paritutu Rock with unmatched views of the Sugar Loaf Islands, New Plymouth, Mt Taranaki and even the central North Island volcanoes of Mt Ruapehu, Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe. Be prepared for a super steep climb to the top of the rock (which is more like a rock climb holding onto a chain fence).
Location: Just look at that big rock and walk towards it. There is a car park for the rock at the end of Paritutu Road.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. Walk Along the Coastal Walkway – FREE
New Plymouths Coastal Walkway is the most talked-about free activity in New Plymouth. Taking in stunning coastal views (especially at sunset) and passing various artwork, estuaries, coastal cliffs and farmland, there’s a lot to see along this 12.7km walkway. The free option is to walk the walkway, however, many people prefer to cycle it. (Hiring a bike usually costs NZ$10-$20 per hour). For more walks, see 8 Wonderful Walks in New Plymouth, Taranaki.
Location: Access from multiple points along the coast of New Plymouth.
© NZPocketGuide.com5. Visit the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery – CHEAP
Looking for what to do in New Plymouth on a rainy day? This cheap entry art gallery (only about NZ$15) gives first impressions from the curved mirror-like architecture that you can’t ignore. Exhibitions change three times a year, showing contemporary artworks by artists from New Zealand and the Pacific. The Gallery is also the global home for the research, care and presentation of work by New Zealander, Len Lye, who is widely regarded for his films and kinetic sculpture. (You may have seen the Wind Wand on the Coastal Walkway).
Location: On the corners of Queen Street and Devon Street West.
© NZPocketGuide.com6. Learn About Taranaki at the Puke Ariki Museum – FREE
The relatively small exhibition (in comparison to history museums in Auckland and Wellington), is packed with interactive exhibitions. Learn out the social history of the Taranaki region from the early Maori settlers to the European migration. Explore the volcanic activity underneath the mighty Mt Taranaki. See real whales bones and bones from the extinct native bird, the moa. Plus if you are looking for what to do in New Plymouth on a rainy day, this won’t break the bank. See more like this in the 10 Things to Do in New Plymouth with Kids.
Location: Ariki Street
© NZPocketGuide.com7. Go to an Exhibition Opening Night – FREE
New Plymouth has a happening art scene complete with monthly exhibition opening nights, free to attend by the public. Drinks and food are usually available either free or for a gold coin donation. Mingle with the locals, have a look at the art, and just enjoy the good vibes. Exhibition opening nights are popular in KINA NZ Design + Art Space and every first Thursday of the month at the Gallery at Jetcharm.
Location: KINA is located on Devon Street West. The Gallery at Jetcharm is located in the Jetcharm Barber Shop on Egmont Street.
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Check Out the Many Events Happening in the City – FREE
There are many New Plymouth attractions worth doing, but there are also many events! With such a prominent art and culture scene, no wonder New Plymouth has so many events! Annual events worth checking out at the Festival of Lights in Pukekura Park through December and January, the WOMAD Festival in March, the Get Up Festival during the Taranaki Anniversary, and much more!
Location: All over the city.
© JiaEnzed on Wikipedia9. Take a Stroll Down Te Henui Walkway – FREE
In the shadow of the Coastal Walkway, only the locals seem to take advantage of this river walk easily accessible from the city centre. You can even team the Te Henui Walkway with the Coastal Walkway. From the coastal walkway, take the Te Henui Walkway all the way to Durham Avenue in the south or make it into a loop walk by crossing over the bridge at Cumberland Street and returning down the other side of the river. The Te Henui Walkway takes around two hours to complete.
Location: There are multiple access points to the walkway, but most people start from the Coastal Walkway.
© NZPocketGuide.com10. Visit, Fish or Paddleboard at Lake Rotomanu – FREE
The last entry of our list of budget New Plymouth activities is Lake Rotomanu. A worthy stop on the Coastal Walkway or an exclusive visit all in itself, Lake Rotomanu gives some awesome views of Mt Taranaki on a clear day. Hire some fishing gear or a stand-up paddleboard from the hire stores in the city and you have a day of lake fun right here!
Location: Access is from Clemow Road or just off the Coastal Walkway near the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge.
© Phil Whitehouse on FlickrNow That You Have Done All the Free Things to Do in New Plymouth …
… Check out more great things to do with more New Plymouth attractions below:
- 10 Best Things to Do in New Plymouth
- 10 Taranaki Must-Dos
- The Guide to New Plymouth on a Budget
- The Complete Travel Guide to New Plymouth
That’s it for our list of cheap and free things to do in New Plymouth. For more free stuff, check out the 50 Best Free Things to Do in New Zealand.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2024])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
