The Old Coach Road is a very doable cycle that’s part of a much longer ‘City to Sea’ track in Manawatu-Horowhenua. With younger kids, this is best tackled as a oneway cycle from Horopito back towards Ohakune giving a very enjoyable roughly 14km cycle that has more downhill than uphill.…
Between Lake Ferry and Cape Palliser, just off the main Cape Palliser Road are the awesome Putangirua Pinnacles. There are a couple of walking routes 2 of which start/finish from the main carpark (where there’s a toilet and map). About 500m from the start, the signpost shows two options. Our…
If you think of a typical lighthouse, this one on the Tutukaka Headlands probably isn’t one that comes to mind but this is a functioning beacon (solar powered) that still warns boats about the surrounding rocks. To get to this lighthouse, you’ll need to check the tide times here and aim…
There are a few different activities to do near Auckland airport and this one is a great free activity if the weather is OK and you want some fresh air and gentle exercise before catching a flight. At just over a kilometre from the international terminal (a little less from…
Sea swimming in Opotiki can be a bit wild for kids. The Waioeka River can provide a good alternative and there’s no salt or sand to wash off after you’ve finished! At the boat ramp, there’s a slide and two rope swings which both make exciting ways of getting into…
If you’re visiting the Eastern Bay of Plenty in the warmer months, chances are you’ll be spending time in or near water but sometimes you need a break from the sand and sea and this domain, 8km from the centre of Opotiki provides a different activity and some shade. In…
At the end of the peninsular, east of Matakana and 80km north of central Auckland, Tawharanui Regional Park is a great place to come to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. There are a whole lot of free activities to choose from, any of which make for a…
This playground and mini road is set within a large park area just off the Oneroa Cycle and Walkway. The equipment is set out in individual areas which would be tricky with young children who wanted to be at different sections but great for self-managing children as an adult could…
This is one of the largest skateparks in the Wellington region. It’s a good place to take kids that are still getting the hang of a scooter or skateboard as there’s space to make mistakes and even some decent flat surfaces, as well as lots of different levels of ramps.…
If you’re at the township of Waikanae, rather than the beach area or if you just fancy a change from sand and sea, this playground and skatepark are a good option. Just round the corner from Waikanae Pool, the playground has a decent size structure of monkey bars, slide, rock…
