If you have the use of a boat or kayaks at Lake Taupo, it’s worth going out to Mine Bay in the North East corner of the lake to see the huge carving of Ngātoroirangi, an ancestor of the artist, Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell, who completed the carving in 1980. Only accessible by water,…
One of the larger rivers flowing into Lake Taupo, the Tongariro River to the south is very popular with anglers in search of trout. Anyone can have a go, so long as you have the right fishing licence but if walking or cycling is more your family’s thing, then there’s…
Between Turangi and Kuratau, just off SH41 is a long, old wharf dating back to the 1880s when goods were shipped across Lake Taupo rather than being transported by road. Today the wharf is 260m of walkway out onto Lake Taupo and a very peaceful place to spend a couple…
This walk is not for all families. A good level of fitness is required and planning needs to happen. First off, this is a 19.4km walk that reaches 1,886m at the Red Crater summit so checking the weather forecast is a must and you will need to postpone your plans…
There are lots of bays that are great for swimming in along the Pacific Highway (SH35) east of Opotiki but this particular bay, most commonly known as Schoolhouse Bay has shallow, usually calm water that is great for kids wanting to paddle. The beach area sweeps round giving plenty of…
Fully gated and right near SH2, this playground makes a good stopping point on a journey between Gisborne and Hawkes Bay. By the river with a path that is suitable for bikes, scooters and buggies, this playground can also be easily reached as part of a riverside walk/ride. There’s a…
This playground was new in 2018 and has lots of equipment that should appeal to a variety of ages. The playground is also next to a skatepark and a half basketball court and also within the huge park with lots of flat grass (for picnics, kite flying and ball games),…
The walkway along the sea side of Napier’s Marine Parade is great for buggies, bikes, skate boards, scooters and rollerblades because it’s wide and mostly smooth concrete. Along the way there are plenty of things to stop and look at or play on making this an area you could easily…
Capital E is a great place to go if you’re in the city centre of Wellington and need to get out of the weather! The main PlayHQ in the TSB Arena building is an oasis of calm with plenty to keep a pre schooler occupied on a term time weekday.…
This once secret playground is incredibly unique. Nestled among the trees in the private forest to the south of Waitarere, this is the most natural of playgrounds with most pieces of equipment being made out of rope and wood. The playground is also a lesson in up-cycling with an old…
