Pukekura Park

New Plymouth, New Zealand, New Zealand

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Pukekura Park is one of New Zealand's premier botanical gardens and a nationally significant park spanning 52 hectares (128 acres) right in the heart of New Plymouth, Taranaki, on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island. Often described as the jewel in New Plymouth's crown, the park was first opened in 1876 and transformed from once barren swamp land into an exquisite inner-city botanical wonder and public recreation ground. The park features a diverse range of landscapes including many plant collections, exotic specimen trees, formal gardens, two artificial lakes (one with wooden rowboats for hire during summer), walking trails through native bush, a fernery and display houses, a historic band rotunda, fountains, waterfalls, children's playgrounds, a cricket ground, and a tea house next to the lake. Adjacent to the park is the Brooklands estate, home to the acclaimed natural amphitheater Bowl of Brooklands located at the edge of the lake where national and international shows are performed, with the lake's water reflecting stage lights especially impressively at night, plus beautiful English-style gardens and a free children's zoo.