The restaurant at this brewery is very child friendly with great, friendly staff. The kids’ menu has a platter of different finger food to pick at with the choice of 3 main protein items to choose from. The regular menu lends itself to sharing so if your kids are into trying different…
If you need to escape the heat or just fancy a change from the beach while you’re in Otaki, the pine forest is a great place to go. It’s sheltered and peaceful and you might stumble across the huge rope swing (how did someone get it up so high??) or…
Set in a large grassy area, this playground stands out along the main road in Kuratau as it must be one of the few playgrounds in New Zealand to have a ‘giant game’ set up. Tucked into the custom made wooden seats, are all the giant sized pieces you’ll need…
At the end of the road at Ti Point there’s a wharf that’s perfect for kids to fish off – plenty of little fish for kids to spot swimming around the wooden posts and enough space for several youngsters to each cast a line in. If you’re lucky you might…
Bright airy café, popular with locals. There’s a large menu covering breakfast/brunch and lunch options. There’s also a cabinet with lots of savoury and sweet baked goodies – GF, DF and refined sugar free options are all available. Vegetarians are also catered for throughout. There’s a small kids’ menu (crepes,…
It’s 12km along a mostly gravel road that at times twists and turns – not ideal for anyone who gets car sick but what awaits you at the end of the drive, is an amazing cave that’s easily accessible. Parking is just off the road next to a grassy reserve.…
***Only open during some school holidays. Check the website or Facebook page before you go*** Set high above the vines, this small café specializes in woodfire pizza, made to order and served piping hot on wooden boards. There’s a range of around 8 different pizzas with a GF base option…
Tirau is a good place to stop if you’re travelling north or south from Auckland along SH1. There are lots of shops and cafes but if your focus is just getting out of the car and stretching your legs, park up at the back of the BP petrol station and there’s…
Around since 1857 this is certainly an old pub which happens to have a good restaurant. It feels like a world away from Auckland yet is actually less than 30km from the central downtown area. The menu is extensive covering brunch, lunch and dinner and there’s a separate kids’ menu…
If the weather means that you can’t snorkel or watch the fish in a glass bottomed boat, or perhaps you just don’t feel like getting wet, the Auckland University run Marine Discovery Centre is a great option. On first look, it seems like there’s an awful lot to read and…
