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Coastal Walkway

The award-winning Coastal Walkway is an 11km path that forms an expansive sea-edge promenade stretching from Port Taranaki all Coastal Walkway. the way to Hickford Park in Bell Block with numerous pedestrian access points dotted along the way.

The walkway is ideal for walking, running, cycling or skating, or simply enjoying the view of the dramatic west coast.

What can you see along the way?

Beginning at Hickford Park, meander through picturesque farmland continue past the Waipu Lagoons, then start hugging the coastline where you will walk alongside the New Plymouth Golf Club before reaching Te Rewa Rewa Reserve.

Te Rewa Rewa reserve is managed by the Te Rewa Rewa management committee, comprising of trustees from the Ngati Tawhirikiura A Hapu and Council officers, as a partnership to meet the aims and aspirations of both the Hapu and Council.

Cross the dramatic Te Rewa Rewa bridge, which frames Mt Taranaki, then go on to the Fitzroy Motor Camp, and visit surf beaches at Fitzroy and East End - all the time watching the ever-changing sea. Coastal Walkway.

Leave the walkway and meander up the Te Henui Walkway, or take a break at one of the picnic tables at the East End playground.

Approaching the central section of the walkway see New Plymouth District's iconic Wind Wand, a number of interesting stone carvings and pieces of public art or access the central business district - home to the award-winning and innovative heritage and information centre Puke Ariki and the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.

Heading west, the walkway winds past the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre, Kawaroa Park and playground then heads to the marina at the port and Ngamotu Beach - a safe swimming beach for the family. Return to top

Are dogs allowed on the Coastal Walkway?

Dogs are allowed on the walkway but must be on a leash. Te Rewa Rewa Bridge.

Read our Walking Your Dog webpage for more information about where dogs are allowed in the district.

Coastal Walkway Design

The Coastal Walkway has been designed to suit the greater coastal landscape. The design uses robust and simple materials with strong lines and textures to stand up to, and reflect upon, the character of the west coast.

The promenade is designed without an edge, to accentuate the sense of being on the edge of the sea, while the curved seawall and location of the path provide protection from the waves. The seawall is also punctured by finger piers, which are designed for people to view and enjoy the open coastline.

The walkway was designed by Richard Bain Landscape Architects and the isthmus group.

Te Rewa Rewa Bridge

The 83m long Te Rewa Rewa bridge is reminiscent of a breaking wave or a whale skeleton. It was designed and built by a consortium led by local company Whitaker Civil Engineering Limited and included Novare Design, CPG and Fitzroy Engineering. Coastal Walkway.

Coastal Walkway Awards

NZ recreation Association Awards 2012 - Outstanding Project Award for the Coastal Walkway Extension.
Footbridge Bridge Awards 2011 - Winner Aesthetics Medium Span.
International Bridge Conference Awards 2011 - The Arthur G. Hayden Medal for Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, for outstanding achievement in bridge engineering that demonstrates innovation in special-use bridges.
New Zealand Recreation Association presented New Plymouth District Council with the Outstanding Project Award for the Coastal Walkway Extension.
Boon Goldsmith Bhaskar Brebner Team Architecture won the Urban Category in the Western Architecture Awards by the New Zealand Institute of Architects for the construction of the Coastal Walkway’s pedestrian railway overpass at the end of Liardet Street in 2009.
LivCom Awards 2008 - Natural Section of the Environmentally Sustainable Projects Award (gold).
Gemini Cycle Friendly Awards 2008 - Best Cycle Facility Project Award (Coastal Pathway).
NZ Institute of Landscape Architects - George Malcolm Award 2006.
International Federation of Landscape Architects - Eastern Region Awards 2005.
NZ Institute of Landscape Architects - Gold Award 2003.
New Zealand Recreation Association - Outstanding Project Award 2003.
NZ Institute of Architects - Resene Award for Architecture: Public Amenities, Foreshore Toilets 2002.
Creative NZ, Creative Places Award - Judge's Citation 2002.

Mobility Scooters

Thanks to a generous donation by TSB Bank, mobility scooters are available from the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre for use on the Coastal Walkway.

The scooters are free to use between 8am and midday and from 1pm to 5pm, and are available every day except Christmas Day. A bond, such as car keys, is required and it's best to book ahead. For enquiries and bookings please contact us.

History

Late 1980s: The Ministry of Defence declares the 26ha Te Rewa Rewa Reserve surplus.

June 1995: NPDC buys the land with the intention to manage it jointly with Ngati Tawhirikura hapu and use part of it to extend the Coastal Walkway northward.

1997: Planning for the Coastal Walkway began.

October 1999: Construction of the 7km-long Coastal Walkway from Ngamotu Beach in the east to the Waiwhakaiho River in the west began and was completed in December 2001 (excluding the lower Woolcombe Terrace path).

2003: The Woolcombe Terrace cliffs were strengthened, and the lower path in front of the cliffs (between the city and East End Reserve) was constructed. The pathway was raised by 2m to a finished height of 7m above sea level.

20 December 2003: The walkway was formally opened.

11 June 2004: The new ‘lightning bolt’ bridge over Te Henui Stream opened.

October 2006: Pedestrian bridge and viewing platform from Liardet Street opens.

6 June 2007: NPDC and Ngati Tawhirikura Hapu signed Te Rewa Rewa Agreement. NPDC gets a coastal strip to extend the Coastal Walkway to Bell Block, and the hapu can develop the rest of the site for the cultural benefit of the hapu as well as the wider community.

May 2008: Land Transport New Zealand announces it will pay $1.88m of the cost to extend the Coastal Walkway the 3km from Waiwhakaiho to Bell Block. The rest of the cost is met by NPDC and the Whitaker Family Trust.

June 2008: At the request of the hapu, the design of the bridge is turned around so that the span opens towards the mountain.

September 2009: Construction of the abutments on both banks of the Waiwhakaiho River begins.

15 February 2010: Te Rewa Rewa Bridge is trucked into place across the Waiwhakaiho River.

15 March 2010: Construction of the pathway begins.

5 June 2010: Te Rewa Rewa Bridge is formally opened for public use. The public can walk the pathway up to The Links accessway.

December 2010: The entire 11km (measured from the Settlers’ Monument on Breakwater Road through to the Smeaton Road entrance at Hickford Park, Bell Block) length of the Coastal Walkway extension is opened for public use.

We endorse smokefree parks, playgrounds, sport grounds and walkways.