Activity Category: Outside

Patuna Chasm Walk, near Martinborough

This chasm walk is not for the faint hearted but is a lot of fun for those up for a bit of an adventure! The chasm is only accessible via a farm trailer ride which you need to prebook (a couple of days before should be fine during school holidays)…

Split Apple Rock, near Kaiteriteri

A short bush walk winds downhill ending in a beach from which you can see Split Apple Rock in all it’s glory! It’s a nice beach for sand play or paddling although you can’t actually get to the rock without a kayak or boat but you can admire it from…

Fort Ballance Bunkers, Wellington

On the Miramar Penninsular, to the east of Wellington airport, there are a series of bunkers that were built to protect the city. Many of these date from the second world war but the bunkers at Fort Balance were used from 1885 as a defence against the Russians who were…

McKenzie Baths Summer Pool, Petone

Only open in the summer months, these outdoor pools are great on a warm, calm day! With 3 different pools and a splash pad there is something for everyone. The splash pad doesn’t have any standing water so is safe for littlies of all ages. There are buckets, fountains and…

Maraetotara Falls, near Havelock North

This is an easy access reasonably spectacular set of waterfalls between Havelock North and the coast. In the summer, it’s a popular swimming spot as a fresh water alternative to the sea for cooling down. There are no life guards on duty here though so please take extra care to…

Tata Beach, Golden Bay

Tucked at the Eastern end of Golden Bay and roughly 15 minutes drive from Takaka, this is a quintessential golden sand beach. Waves for boogie boarding, course sand for playing in or take advantage of it’s length and go for a stroll, it’s worth bypassing the other beaches along the…

Carrot Park Playground and Bike park, Ohakune

The orange carrot is an icon of Ohakune and right next to the enlarged model at the entrance to the village, is a carrot (and other vegetable) themed playground! The equipment is more suited to kids up to around the age of 6 years with a seesaw, swings (1 bucket,…

Disc (Frisbee) Golf at Queenstown Gardens

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Around Queentstown Gardens a course is laid out for people to play frisbee (sometimes known as ‘disc’) golf. Rather like a golf course there are 18 tee off areas and 18 targets to aim for. These are all metal chain baskets. Also like golf there is a ‘par’ number for…

Southern Walkway loop, with playground / skatepark stops, Wellington

It’s not every day that you get to see some of the animals at Wellington Zoo for free but a section of the huge Southern Walkway allows you to do just this. Parking just off Russell Terrace, the walking track leads you up past a skatepark (previously Newtown Skating Rink),…

Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre, Miranda

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Situated just over an hour south east of Auckland and about the same distance from Hamilton, the Miranda Shorebird Centre is a great place to explore and learn about the coastal birds that visit this area. The mudflats here are an important source of food for native birds as well as…