This beach in Eastbourne is the perfect beach for relaxing and has calm waters making it safe for swimming. It is accessible by ferry and there are picnic spots and walking trails nearby.

The Wellington Botanic Garden features 25 hectares of unique landscape, protected native forest, conifers, specialised plant collections, colourful floral displays, and views over Wellington city. The Botanic Gardens has a play area with a rocktopus, double-pipe tube slides, swings, slides and flying fox. There are also picnic tables, toilets and an enclosed area for small children. There are glow worms in the main garden, from the duck pond up to Glen Road; these are best spotted at night after rain and at full moon. The Botanic Gardens Café is expected to re-open in Spring 2007.

Worser Bay has sandy beach areas and calm waters, making it ideal for families. There is a children’s playground and refreshment kiosks nearby.

Otaki Forks is 19 km inland from Otaki township, approximately one and a half hours’ drive from Wellington and is the main entrance to Tararua Forest Park. The two tributaries of the Waiotauru River and Waitatapia Stream meet here. The last five kilometres of the Otaki Gorge Road is unsealed, narrow and windy so care needs to be taken when driving. There are a number of short tracks which descend from Otaki Gorge Road into the gorge, giving access for picnicking, swimming, fishing and watersports. Boielle Flat, next to the Waiotauru River, is a popular picnic area and has flush toilets. The Waiotauru River has several safe swimming pools.