As New Zealand’s only real theme park, Rainbow’s End can be a great day out for those that enjoy the thrill of rides. To some extent there is something for everyone from a soft play area for toddlers, to a mini-rides area for under 8 year olds and everything from…
The Orongorongo track is part of the Rimutaka Forest Park and compromises several different walks that are great for kids just starting out on their tramping adventures! The paths are really well maintained and apart from an initial climb up from the Catchpool car parking area, they’re relatively flat with…
Set away from both the beach and town centre, this is a fully fenced, quiet skatepark and mini road system perfect for a range of ages that want to practice their wheel skills without going onto the ‘real’ road! The mini road system is a series of roads with a…
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…
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…
Just off SH1 this is a good spot if you need a break from the car or are looking for an alternative to the beach in Otaki. The large fortress in the centre of the playground has ropes, a wooden bridge, twisting tunnel slide at one end and a preschooler…
This central park and playground is a hub for the local community when time away from the beach is needed. There’s a large grassy area for running around, picnics, kite flying, ball games etc. There’s also lots of playground equipment, some aimed at preschoolers including swings, small slides, an abacus and others aimed…
Once a shop, now a cart on a trailer, the gelato and sorbet served by It’s Quite Cool is still delicious! Great choice of flavours and extremely friendly servers. They’ll even sell a kiddie size to adults that just don’t want a huge ice cream. There are tables, chairs and…
