Event Venues

You are here > Home > Visiting New Plymouth > Event Venues > TSB Bowl of Brooklands

TSB Bowl of Brooklands

A packed crowd at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands.

Unique outdoor venue shines day or night!

The TSB Bowl of Brooklands is a unique venue comprising an impressive outdoor sound stage and a large grass amphitheatre set against the backdrop of New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park. The bowl is a spectacular venue for summer concerts and when night comes, visitors and performers are spellbound as the lighting on the stage and surrounding trees takes effect.

Check out our Events Calendar to find out what's on.

Location

Located in the heart of New Plymouth, the TSB Bowl of Brooklands can be accessed by foot from numerous entrances. Vehicle entrance is via Booklands Rd.

See the location map

Venue description

The TSB Bowl of Brooklands consists of an outdoor sound stage and a grass amphitheatre suitable for a variety of entertainers, as well as functions such as concerts, corporate events, weddings and dinners. A lake, situated in front of the stage, is a unique feature of the bowl that wows artists and audiences alike.

Bookings

For all enquiries please contact us on 06-759 6060 or email enquiries@npdc.govt.nz.Return to top

Facilities

Stage: Concrete stage raked 1.5 per cent with a step down to lake level (approximately 1.5m deep), separating from audience. Stage depth 24m, width downstage 25m, width upstage 14m. Covered by permanent arched roof (open sides downstage). Height centre of arch 11m. Roof loading up to 12 tonnes, point loading up to two tonnes.

Seating: The grassed amphitheatre provides seating for up to approximately 15,000 people. The stage caters for up to 200.

Access: The backstage loading bay accommodates up to four trucks or parking for 20 cars.

Dressing rooms: Eight carpeted dressing rooms with direct access to the stage, three with own shower and toilet, one with disabled facilities.

Power supply: 400 amp three-phase supply to stage area and 100 amp three-phase to front of house, including a designated sound desk positioned 30m from the front of the stage (behind the seating area).

Other areas: Production office with four phone lines, and kitchen facilities for 30 people.

Previous events

Sir Elton John, Jack Johnson, R.E.M., Santana, UB40, Michael Crawford, Stevie Nicks, John Farnham, Mark Knopfler, The Doobie Brothers, World of Music Arts and Dance (WOMAD), Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Cliff Richard, Split Enz, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

History

The TSB Bowl of Brooklands was built from swamp land in New Plymouth's Pukekura Park. The venue opened in 1956 with the first Festival of Pines, which later included the popular Miss Brooklands contest.

In 1997 the Bowl of Brooklands Trust and the Council began a major upgrade of the venue which included realigning the existing seating areas, narrowing the lake to accommodate a larger stage with curved roofing, plus improving the backstage areas, dressing rooms and facilities.