Listings

Two crescent shaped coves form beautiful Matai Bay. With its fine sand and safe swimming, it is a very popular beach for families and is a great place for a picnic.

Queens Gardens is a beautiful example of a classical Victorian ornamental park. Centrally located information panels placed around the garden reveal its history and encourage the kids to walk. The gardens are part of a designated Historic Places Trust precinct. Stroll around and make a game of finding the park’s sculptures, which include The Cupid Fountain, the Water Wheel, the Boer War memorial, Sentinel and fine memorial gates at both main entrances.  Cross the 'Rainbow Bridge” linking the Queens Garden to the Chinese Garden - with its traditional Chinese pavillion with upturned tiled roof, beautiful water features and see if the kids can spot the two stunning Fu Dog statues.

As you drive from Frankton, you'll see a carpark at the end of the Ladies Mile Road, as you descend towards Lake Hayes, or continue to the pavilion where there' s lots of parking. The track is either well-graded, or a wooden walkway, to create an easy stroll around the lake, famous for its stunning reflections. Native birds to be seen along the way include the deep blue pukeko, also known as the New Zealand Swamp Hen! There are some inclines, but they're pretty short, and mostly the track is easy. There are toilet facilities at the recreation and picnic area at the Arrowtown end of the lake, which is also a great spot to pause for a dip in the lake! The path has some steep drop offs at some points, so keep small children with you.

An unique beach experience as the beach is filled with massive round boulders - some which are split open to expose the layers beneath. A fun natural playground to explore and have a wander. It's a short walk down to the beach with parking at the cafe.

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.

Otago Childcare Centre was established in a character villa creating a similar atmosphere to a family home.  We have been providing quality child care since 1986.

We offer integration of age groups while also offering times for separate smaller same-age groups to work together.

An attractively landscaped 35 hectare park. Lots of easy walking and bike trails, picnic / bbq spots and toilets. In the centre is Lake Henry - this small lake has a stock of brown trout and has been developed as a children's fishery.

Welcome to the world famous Blue Pub in Methven, Mt Hutt Village - located right in the centre of town!  With great value, family-friendly accommodation, and a bar and restaurant onsite, plus the super-handy location, this is the place to be for your family visit! Accommodation is backpacker style with shared bathrooms and lounge area. There is a small kitchenette with microwave and fridge. After a hard day tramping, mountain biking, rafting, fishing, skiing, snowboarding or any of the outdoor pursuits we have on offer; there is nothing better than settling down on the verandah enjoying a cold beer with some friends and reflecting on the day's adventure. Please be aware that often on weekend nights we host awesome live music in the Main Bar - if you are not planning on joining us and prefer to work on your shut eye, please make sure you check our online gig guide prior to booking as band music does carry upstairs...

The Hamurana Playcentre is 20 minutes north of Rotorua and is set amongst lifestyle blocks. They have a large outside play area which is shaded, extensive play equipment and a children’s library.

This centre is in a handy central location with experienced, caring and well qualified staff. They offer all day programmes as well as morning programmes from about 8am to 12pm and afternoon programmes from 1pm to 5pm. Morning and afternoon tea is provided. Abacus has a staff ratio of one to three for under 2s and one to seven for over twos. The centre is well resourced with a separate area for under and over twos.

With Bright Beginnings "Assess, Transition and Enjoy" philosophy, your child can develop into a life-long learner like hundreds before them.

Junction Ski Shop supplies skis and boards for rent and has a large selection of top ski and board brands for sale. Their specialist ski and board technicians offer waxing to full overnight tuning.

A quick stretch your legs walk on the way to Milford Sound. A 15 minute return walk over the Cleddau River offer dramatic views of a series of powerful waterfalls.

A unique, 55 hectare family-orientated park on the outskirts of Christchurch. The disused quarry makes for an interesting (and fenced off) stroll, with its striking amphitheatre of steep, jagged rock walls. There’s plenty of grassy spots and picnic areas to spread out and play, plus loads of walking and bike tracks that wander through woods and orchards. Take a walk through the ‘sister-city’ gardens, with Korean statues and bridges. Toilets and water on-site. To get there from Halswell, take Kennedys Bush Road south toward the hills. A marked turnoff at the base of the foothills leads into the park. A lake on the left is surrounded by the new plantings of the Sister Cities' Gardens, and on the right, the abandoned buildings of the quarry are visible.

This popular beach venue is only ten minutes from Auckland city and is an easy stroll to lots of shops, restaurants and cafes and the Sunday markets. There is good parking, toilets and a changing block and there is free entertainment for the kids during the summer holidays.

The track is a figure 8 shape. For a shorter walk take the return track to the Lake Wanaka viewpoint. The entire track takes around 3 hours return but the views from the summit are stunning. Note: the track’s steep and uneven in parts – not suited to poor weather conditions.

This 376 hectare coastal park has an amazing view of Auckland city and the inner Hauraki Gulf. There is a wonderful variety of birdlife including peacocks, herons and tui. There is a campground and several walks. Picnic sites are available and Okoromai Bay is a normally safe swimming beach and good for children to paddle in at high tide, while Army Bay offers a sandy beach backed by cliffs and Te Haruhi Bay is a sandy beach with sand dunes. There are toilets and changing facilities available.

Positioned in a good central location your family will have the choice of one or two bedroom apartments, with full kitchen facilities. There is wireless internet available, SKY TV, DVD library, a solar heated pool available in summer, playground and a BBQ and outdoor area.

A visit to the spectacular Huka Falls, just outside Taupo, is a must! Huka is the maori word for 'foam' - very apt when you see this amazing set of thundering rapids, the largest, and final drop being 11 metres. Imagine kayaking down them - some more intrepid paddlers have done just that! You can cross the bridge over the falls and there's an easy walkway on the other side, so you can walk either back to Taupo, to the Aratiatia Dam or just for a short wander.

This Kidz Go! favourite has it all! Immerse yourself in miles of sandy beaches, walking tracks galore, superb forest mountain bike trails that are easy yet varied and fun, mountain bike terrain park and a recreation area with adventure playground, flying fox, paddling pool, tennis courts, sandy volleyball and BBQ pits. The flat trails are ideal for buggies but this area really comes into it’s own as a perfect place to take the kids mountain biking. Try the Pegasus Bay track which skirts the forest, following the beach from Spencer Park to New Brighton’s North Shore. Otherwise discover the maze of fun, winding mountain bike trails that criss-cross the forest. You can pick up maps of the forest from the information centre at Spencer Park (Off Lower Styx Road.) Alternative access and recreation area off Waitikiri Drive.

There are a couple of options around the Blue Lake area in St. Bathans - the 2km, 50 min option will take you on a loop that skirt a portion of Blue Lake. A 3km, 90min return option will take you all the way around Blue Lake.

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.

This small friendly playcentre gives parents and caregivers the opportunity of first hand involvement with their children’s education and development. There is a huge sandpit and playground equipment and plenty of activities to keep the children entertained and educated. Plus your child’s first five visits to the centre are free!

Children's playground, paddle pool, an aviary - with the popular resident Jimmy the cockatiel, flower gardens, and walking paths make this an ideal destination to relax, go for a walk or have a picnic.