Something for everyone at this park – 2 playgrounds (including slides coming out of a rocket ship!), mini putt (see under ‘contacts’ for more details), outdoor pools in the summer months and a miniature train. There are also BBQs, lots of grass for running around on and big old trees providing…
If your kids love summer berries perhaps they’d enjoy picking their own to take home? Somerfield’s Berry fruit farm PYO is a very popular place during the summer season and they often have to close the PYO section as the fruit runs out. As well as PYO strawberries, you can…
This 9km boardwalk track loops around the Waikareao Estuary in Tauranga and makes for a lovely walk or even better bike ride. The surface is a mix of boardwalk and gravel so better for bikes than scooters and fine for sturdy buggies. It’s completely flat! It’s worth keeping in mind…
Kairakau is a beach settlement made up of baches, a tennis court and a holiday camp. There are no shops although an ice cream van visits during the summer. Take your provisions with you as the closest shops are at least 30 minutes away. Like most Hawke’s Bay beaches, the…
These hot pools are surrounded by scenic reserve with several bush walks available to do, varying from 20 minutes to 2 hours. It’s probably a good idea to walk before you soak in the pools. The bush setting makes this a truly wonderful place for soaking in the hot and cold pools.…
At low tide there are lots of rock pools teeming with life at the Northern end of Mahia – an area known locally as Snapper Rock. General tips for rock pooling: Check the tide times and aim to go within 2 hours each side of low tide. You can do…
There are plenty of small sprats to keep young fisher boys and girls happy off the wharf at West Quay, Ahuriri. Take your own tackle (a patient child should even get bites with a hand line) and a bucket if your child wants to admire their catch before throwing it…
The closest safe swimming to Napier is at Hardinge Road where there’s a small sandy beach and kid friendly swimming. There’s a playground at Spriggs Park with equipment for younger and older kids, grassy areas for picnics and a concrete path going all the way along from the port to…
This farmyard zoo is home to pigs, sheep and calves as well as the more exotic ostriches, alpacas, turtles and peacocks. Kids can interact with the animals and feed them (animal food $1). Springtime is especially popular with baby animals being fed by volunteers. Train rides and pony rides (additional charges,…
Most Hawkes’ Bay beaches are quite dangerous for kids due to the undercurrent but beaches both north and south of Napier sometimes have a lagoon at a river mouth which can be safer for family swimming. This is the case at Waipatiki beach although kids will still need to be…
