A short bush walk winds downhill ending in a beach from which you can see Split Apple Rock in all it’s glory! It’s a nice beach for sand play or paddling although you can’t actually get to the rock without a kayak or boat but you can admire it from…
On the Miramar Penninsular, to the east of Wellington airport, there are a series of bunkers that were built to protect the city. Many of these date from the second world war but the bunkers at Fort Balance were used from 1885 as a defence against the Russians who were…
This is an easy access reasonably spectacular set of waterfalls between Havelock North and the coast. In the summer, it’s a popular swimming spot as a fresh water alternative to the sea for cooling down. There are no life guards on duty here though so please take extra care to…
Tucked at the Eastern end of Golden Bay and roughly 15 minutes drive from Takaka, this is a quintessential golden sand beach. Waves for boogie boarding, course sand for playing in or take advantage of it’s length and go for a stroll, it’s worth bypassing the other beaches along the…
The orange carrot is an icon of Ohakune and right next to the enlarged model at the entrance to the village, is a carrot (and other vegetable) themed playground! The equipment is more suited to kids up to around the age of 6 years with a seesaw, swings (1 bucket,…
Around Queentstown Gardens a course is laid out for people to play frisbee (sometimes known as ‘disc’) golf. Rather like a golf course there are 18 tee off areas and 18 targets to aim for. These are all metal chain baskets. Also like golf there is a ‘par’ number for…
It’s not every day that you get to see some of the animals at Wellington Zoo for free but a section of the huge Southern Walkway allows you to do just this. Parking just off Russell Terrace, the walking track leads you up past a skatepark (previously Newtown Skating Rink),…
Situated just over an hour south east of Auckland and about the same distance from Hamilton, the Miranda Shorebird Centre is a great place to explore and learn about the coastal birds that visit this area. The mudflats here are an important source of food for native birds as well as…
Away from the throngs of people that can crowd the centre of Taupo at certain times of the year, this playground was replaced in 2016 and has a pirate ship at its centre. With opportunities for climbing, sliding and lots of role play especially with the steering wheel. There’s a…
The Maitai river runs so close to the city centre of Nelson that it’s a great alternative to pavements for getting around without the disturbance of cars. The path is suitable for buggies, bikes and scooters and there are lots of places to join and leave the track. If you’re going to…
