Just five minutes from Turangi is the village of Tokaanu. A short walk around the loop track on well formed paths and boardwalks allows you to see steaming hot mineral pools and bubbling mud pools. Take a picnic with you as there are areas for picnics and fishing. You can swim in the nearby Tokaanu Thermal pools at Mangaroa Street and there are often rainbow trout swimming in the cold Tokaanu stream which flows beside the thermal area. As with all thermal area, children should be supervised at all times.
Tongariro Domain has a playground which is suitable for children and there are picnic tables. The Domain’s toilets also offer a parents’ room with a changing table and microwave, sink and toys for the children. The Lion’s Club operates children's rides on the Domain on a small monorail, weather permitting, for $1 per person. Check with the Visitor Centre for train times during the winter months.
Location11km from SH2, 45 minutes drive from Napier
This stretch of golden sand is in the picturesque settlement of Waipatiki, 45 minutes north of Napier and a short walk from the car park. The sandy area of the beach is flanked by cliffs and the beach is reported to be a good place to find paua shells, although the current here is strong so swimming is not recommended. There is a beach picnic area, toilets and a camping round nearby.
The reserve is very family orientated with attractions like the Volcanic Playground for the children and cruises around the lake. The Rotorua Walkway passes through the Lakefront Reserve, which is within walking distance of the city centre and is close to restaurants and cafes. The reserve often hosts activities like pony rides, amusements and craft markets. There are BBQs, toilets and picnic tables at the reserve. Please note that dogs are not allowed at the Lakefront Reserve.
The Blue Lake Reserve is an ideal place for a picnic and is very popular for water sports such as water-skiing, jet-skiing and power boat racing so there should be plenty to watch! The south side of the lake has good swimming beaches and there are toilets, a playground, BBQs, picnic tables and a boat ramp. A walk around the lake will take about one and a half hours. Please note dogs are not allowed in the playground and are only allowed around the walkway on a lead.
35 km from Gisborne, this unique forest and garden dating back to 1910, contains New Zealand’s largest collection of Northern Hemisphere trees and shrubs. Set among hills, valleys and ponds there are easy walking tracks through the gardens. The Blue Walk which wanders through the Circus, Corner Park and Pear Park, is the flattest walk and takes about an hour. Eastwoodhill can also provide morning teas and lunches by prior arrangement.
This easy walk will take you about twenty minutes one way.and is a 15 to 20 minute drive from Rotorua central. Hamurana is famous for its beautiful crystal clear fresh water spring and surrounding the area is a variety of bird life. There are peaceful spots for a picnic after your walk.
This unique banana research establishment, located at Wainui Beach, is set in a tropical paradise of exotic plants and is only a few kilometers away from where the film Whale Rider was filmed. The gardens feature plantings of environmentally friendly bananas, a water feature area, a palm grove, a fairy dell and a play area for children.
