Pukekura Park New Plymouth
New Zealand's premier botanical garden, Pukekura Park offers stunning landscapes, free entry, and magical light festivals.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Magical light displays!
Pukekura Park New Plymouth
Best Time
Magical light displays!
Highlights
Must-see attractions
New Zealand's premier botanical garden, Pukekura Park offers stunning landscapes, free entry, and magical light festivals.
"An absolute gem and highlight in New Plymouth, a must-see if you are passing through or staying on holiday."
🎯 Free Entry & Zoo Access
Enjoy Pukekura Park and Brooklands Zoo for free! A great budget-friendly option for all.
👟 Wear Comfy Shoes!
The park is huge! You'll be doing a lot of walking to see everything.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
TSB Festival of Lights
Pukekura Park
Experience a magical wonderland with dazzling light displays and live entertainment. Free entry!
The Fernery & Display Houses
Pukekura Park
Step into a lush, tropical haven filled with exotic ferns and plants. A unique escape!
Bowl of Brooklands
Pukekura Park
A world-class natural amphitheater hosting major concerts and events. Stunning lakeside setting.
Poet's Bridge
Pukekura Park
A charming and picturesque bridge, perfect for photos and adding to the park's romantic ambiance.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything for the Festival of Lights
Embrace the Outdoors: Wear Comfortable Shoes
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Free Entry & Zoo Access
Enjoy Pukekura Park and Brooklands Zoo for free! A great budget-friendly option for all.
👟 Wear Comfy Shoes!
The park is huge! You'll be doing a lot of walking to see everything.
📸 Capture the Magic
Don't forget your camera for the stunning gardens, bridges, and light displays.
🧺 Picnic Perfection
Pack a picnic to enjoy amidst the beautiful scenery. Plenty of lovely spots.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Free Entry & Zoo Access
Enjoy Pukekura Park and Brooklands Zoo for free! A great budget-friendly option for all.
👟 Wear Comfy Shoes!
The park is huge! You'll be doing a lot of walking to see everything.
📸 Capture the Magic
Don't forget your camera for the stunning gardens, bridges, and light displays.
🧺 Picnic Perfection
Pack a picnic to enjoy amidst the beautiful scenery. Plenty of lovely spots.
🚗 Parking Tips
Parking can be tricky. Try parking inside the park rather than at the entrance.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Pukekura Park is widely praised as a stunning, meticulously maintained urban oasis offering diverse landscapes and free entry. Visitors highlight its beauty, tranquility, and variety, from formal gardens to native bush and iconic features like Poet's Bridge and the Fernery. While the Festival of Lights is a major draw, it can attract large crowds.
"Maybe with the exception of the Hamilton Gardens, this park is easily my favourite in NZ. It is an absolute gem and highlight in New Plymouth and a must see if you are passing through or staying on holiday.
There are many nice walks, but equally as great is the big pond, bridges and many nice minor sights along the tracks.
It is an easy walk and you can choose how far you go. There is a cafe as well, which is nice for views and relaxing. Overall, highly recommend!"
Straan Wadsworth
"It’s a beautiful park. There are enough things to do to keep you entertained. There’s a cafe you can relax after a nice walk around the park. There’s a buggy you can ride on for $5 per person and a gold coin donation for children, it takes you around the park effortlessly. There’s a fernery where you can see various of plants and flowers, free of entrance! It is a big park, you can definitely get those steps in easily. There’s a public toilet too. You can see different age groups hanging around. You can meet different dog breeds too as they take a stroll on the park with their owner. You can also find ducks waddling around. Parking may be a struggle though. Best to park your car at the park rather than at the entrance of the park! Oh and it’s also wheelchair friendly too!"
JC
"A great park to spend some time with. Had a nice walk and lots of fun enjoying looking at the cutie ducklings."
Tess Lin
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Pukekura Park is conveniently located right in the heart of New Plymouth. It's easily accessible by car, with parking available both at the park's entrances and within its grounds. Public transport options are also available, with local bus routes serving the area. For those arriving from further afield, flying into New Plymouth Airport (NPL) is an option, and the park is a short drive from there.
Yes, Pukekura Park is generally very accessible. The paths are well-maintained and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, allowing everyone to enjoy the beauty of the park.
Dogs are welcome in Pukekura Park, but they must be kept on a leash at all times. It's a popular spot for dog walkers, so you'll see many furry friends enjoying the space.
The best way to explore Pukekura Park is on foot, allowing you to discover its many hidden corners. You can also rent a buggy for a small fee to tour the park effortlessly, which is great for families or those who want a more relaxed experience.
Yes, parking is available at Pukekura Park. However, it can get busy, especially during peak times like the Festival of Lights. It's often recommended to park inside the park rather than at the main entrance to avoid congestion.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Pukekura Park offers free entry year-round, making it an accessible attraction for everyone. The TSB Festival of Lights, held during summer, is also free to attend.
Pukekura Park is open 24/7, allowing you to enjoy its beauty at any time. However, specific facilities like the Teahouse or Fernery may have their own operating hours. The TSB Festival of Lights typically runs from mid-December to late January.
No, the TSB Festival of Lights is a free event, so no tickets are required. You can simply turn up and enjoy the spectacular light displays and entertainment.
While entry to the park and the Festival of Lights is free, some activities like renting rowboats on the lake may incur a fee. Brooklands Zoo, located within the park, is also free to enter.
The TSB Festival of Lights is a popular summer event, typically running from mid-December to late January each year. It's a highlight for many visitors to New Plymouth. +1
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Key attractions include the enchanting Fernery & Display Houses, the picturesque Poet's Bridge, the serene lakes with rowboat rentals, and the iconic Bowl of Brooklands amphitheater. During summer, the TSB Festival of Lights is a major highlight.
Yes, the Teahouse on the Lake is a popular spot within Pukekura Park, offering refreshments and lovely views. It's a great place to relax after a walk.
The park is home to various birdlife, including ducks, shags, tui, and kereru (New Zealand wood pigeon). You might also spot various dog breeds being walked by their owners.
Yes, Brooklands Zoo, located within Pukekura Park, is a fantastic free attraction for children, featuring farmyard animals and more. The park itself offers plenty of open space for kids to run around.
The TSB Festival of Lights transforms Pukekura Park into a magical spectacle with hundreds of dazzling light displays, live entertainment, and food vendors. It's a free, enchanting experience, especially for families. +1
📸 📸 Photography
Poet's Bridge is a classic photo spot, as are the Fernery, the lakes with reflections, and the Bowl of Brooklands. During the Festival of Lights, the illuminated displays offer incredible photographic opportunities.
Absolutely! During the TSB Festival of Lights, the park is spectacularly illuminated, making it a photographer's dream. The light installations create a magical atmosphere.
A versatile camera with a good lens is recommended. For the Festival of Lights, a tripod can be helpful for low-light shots. A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive gardens and landscapes.
Generally, photography is encouraged in Pukekura Park. However, always be mindful of other visitors and avoid intrusive photography, especially during events.
Golden hour (early morning or late afternoon) offers beautiful light for the gardens. For dramatic shots, consider visiting during the Festival of Lights for nighttime photography.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider packing a picnic to enjoy by the lake, and take advantage of the free entry to make it a budget-friendly outing. The park's accessibility also means it's easy to navigate with young children.
🚶♀️ Budget Travelers
This expansive park provides hours of exploration and enjoyment, making it an excellent value for money. It's a perfect example of how to experience a beautiful destination without breaking the bank.
📸 Photographers
+1 Visiting during the summer months for the TSB Festival of Lights provides unparalleled opportunities for stunning nighttime photography with its elaborate light installations. Early mornings and late afternoons offer beautiful golden hour light for capturing the park's natural beauty. Consider bringing a tripod for low-light shots during the festival and a wide-angle lens to encompass the expansive landscapes.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The TSB Festival of Lights: A Summer Spectacle
Beyond the visual spectacle, the festival often features live entertainment, food stalls, and activities for all ages. It's a popular event that draws large crowds, so visiting on a weeknight or earlier in the evening can help you avoid the busiest times. The combination of natural beauty and creative lighting makes it a must-see experience for anyone visiting New Plymouth during the summer months.
Key features of the Festival of Lights include themed light displays, illuminated bridges, and often performances at the Bowl of Brooklands. It's a fantastic opportunity to experience the park in a completely different, vibrant light.
Exploring Pukekura Park's Diverse Landscapes
+1Central to the park's charm are its series of artificial lakes, fed by natural streams. Here, you can rent traditional wooden rowboats for a peaceful paddle or admire the picturesque waterfall. Iconic features like Poet's Bridge add to the romantic ambiance and are popular spots for photographers. The park's layout encourages exploration, with winding paths leading to new discoveries around every corner.
Key areas to explore include the Fernery and Display Houses, which offer a tropical escape with a vast collection of ferns and plants, and the adjacent Brooklands estate, home to the Bowl of Brooklands and Brooklands Zoo. This variety ensures that Pukekura Park offers something for every visitor, from avid gardeners to families seeking outdoor fun.
+1Family Fun at Brooklands Zoo
The zoo's manageable size makes it easy to navigate with little ones, and its inclusion within the park means you can easily combine a visit with exploring the gardens or enjoying a picnic. It's a well-loved spot that adds significant value to a visit to Pukekura Park, offering a fun and accessible outing for the whole family.
Highlights for families include the interactive farmyard animals and the opportunity to see meerkats up close. It's a simple yet effective way to entertain children while enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding park.
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