This white-sand beach is safe for swimming and you can also fish, surf or sail. Shops are nearby with a bakery and licensed restaurant and it is not too far to get to the cinema or local attractions.
This 2 km track can be walked in either direction and will take about an hour each way. The track crosses farmland and leads up a steep ridge, across stiles and an unbridged stream to a large flat grassy area which is ideal for picnics and leads to the Caves Road entrance. The Waipu Caves feature stalactites, stalagmites and glowworms near the entrance. Be careful when walking the track as there are sinkholes underground. The inner caves should only be accessed by experienced cavers.
The dunes which border this estuary are constantly changing. The estuary is safe for swimming but you need to be careful of the outgoing tide near the mouth of the harbour. Kids will enjoy collecting cockles and pipi further up the harbour.
This beach is quite different from any other beach in Doubtless Bay with its pink-coral beach, rockpools and a small lagoon for the children to explore. There is a children’s playground and store nearby.
Location25 kms from Auckland CBD off State Highway 1
This beachside park on Auckland’s North Shore is only half an hour from Auckland City and a great place to bring the children. The one kilometre long, sandy beach is part of the Long Bay Regional Park and is usually a safe swimming beach. There is a playground with a flying fox at Long Bay as well as barbecue and picnic areas. The Long Bay Restaurant at the south end of the park on the beach front is open for lunch and dinner. Toilets are available and there is a restaurant and kiosk if you need food or a drink.
The Puketi Forest is easily accessible from Hokianga Harbour and there are several short walks through the forest which are suitable for children.
Manginangina Kauri Walk
A 15 minute loop track walk which is easy and has a well formed path. Access is via unsealed roads from South Highway 10, Waipapa.
Puketi Nature Trail
This 1 hour return walk starts at the Puketi Recreation Area and has an easy and well formed walking track.
Pirau Ridge Road
This 11 km track is more suited to older children, and provides the opportunity for mountain biking as well.
This beautiful park is a wildlife sanctuary and surrounds a spring-fed lake where you can feed the birds and the tame eels or watch the native pukeko, swans and ducks. The park has a walking track, boardwalks through the wetlands and there are picnic tables and a children’s playground.
