For some people, visiting Hawkes Bay is synonymous with checking out a winery or two! The problem with visiting a winery with kids though is that often there’s little to keep the kids occupied while the adults enjoy a glass of the local beverage and that isn’t very enjoyable for…
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…
The water around Poor Knights Islands arguably provides some of the best diving and snorkelling to be had in New Zealand. If you’re around Northland and want to get a taste for what lies beneath, Perfect Day Ocean Cruises come highly recommended as being great for families. With tours meeting…
You don’t have to even be interested in bikes to visit this cafe situated on the harbour right in the heart of Porirua city. Although if you are interested in bikes, they have a repair shop, rent bikes out and can give advice on local bike trails. Rented bikes can…
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…
