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…
Hiding at the back of a tackle and all things fishing shop is this cute little cafe that serves very tasty food for breakfast, lunch and morning teas. The baking/pastry items are all made in house daily and the counter has a small but good selection to choose from. The…
This farm is conveniently situated off SH1 between Foxton and the Waitarere turn off, or 10km north of Levin and sells the most delicious real fruit strawberry ice cream and coffee! They grow their own strawberries and sell these too, along with asparagus and other vegetables according to the growing…
This popular summer pool gives a great alternative to the beach if you’re still wanting water action but perhaps without the salt and sand. Set within a large grassy area there’s plenty of space and some shade provided by big old trees. There are some tables and benches dotted around…
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…
Stella Café is family friendly with great staff, lots of options for those that suffer from food allergies. For entertainment while you’re waiting for your order, there is a beehive behind a glass window so the kids can watch the bees working. A popular place for breaking the journey along…
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…
Feeding stingray isn’t something that you get to experience everyday! This isn’t an aquarium and the stingray that you’ll see are free to come and go anywhere they want, so while the guides at Dive Tatapouri have built up a relationship with several stingray, there’s no guarantee of what or…
