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 Ocean Beach although kids will still need to be actively…
Activity Category: Outside
Waimarama Beach, near Havelock North
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 Waimarama beach although kids will still need to be…
Te Mata peak, near Havelock North
Drive up one of the few substantial hills in Hawke’s Bay to admire the huge landscapes of farmland that make up the area. You can park near the peak and just walk up the last bit for the views or you can go for a longer walk around Redwood Forest.…
William Nelson skatepark, Hastings
This is a world class skatepark designed for multiple ages and levels of kids with skateboards, BMX bikes, or scooters. Some say it’s the best skate park in the country, but you can let your kids decide! The designers have thought about younger kids too by including a small playground with…
Cornwall Park, Hastings
There are various things to do in Cornwall Park during cooler months, although the attractions are quite small so may not fill more than an hour. There’s an aviary, a Chinese garden and playground with a small but interesting selection of equipment (wobbly bridge, monkey bars and obstacle courses. Swings including…
Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market, Hastings
There is a great family friendly atmosphere at the Sunday Farmers’ Market at the Show Grounds in Hastings. This is a weekly event held no matter what the weather is like. It’s inside during the winter and outside in the summer. The stalls are filled with food and drinks that are locally…
Napier Aquatic Centre Spray Park
Formerly known as Onekawa pools, there is a year round indoor pool that has the only indoor hydroslides in Hawke’s Bay, but this recommendation is for the summer outdoor splash pad. There is no standing water here so it’s great for all ages with lots of fountains and spraying water…
Ocean Spa, Napier
There have been hot salt water pools on this site since 1903 – thought to benefit lots of different illnesses! Today this is a complex made up of several different pools of varying temperatures. For families there’s a cold ‘active’ pool which starts off very shallow and gradually gets deeper. Despite…
Marine Parade Playground and Mini Bike Track, Napier
This is a huge completely fenced playground with something for all ages with a separate but equally good, fenced, mini road system bike track on the other side of a small carpark but linked via the walkway on the sea side. Both are right on the sea front, within walking…
Te Huruhi School Summer Pool and Playgrounds, Waiheke Island
On the way to /from the ferry terminal on Donald Bruce Road, on the Western side of the island, Te Huruhi Primary school allows supervised kids to use their playground equipment and school pool during the school summer holidays. The playground areas are great with lots of climbing, balancing and swinging opportunities…