Listings

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.

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.

Our mission is to provide the highest quality early childhood education services for young children in settings that inspire active learning and support inclusion.

Island bay is surrounded by small bays with calm, clear waters. Between the beach and the Parade is Shorland Park. Popular with local children, the park has a long slide, swings, pirate ship, junior area and basketball half-court. There are also picnic tables, changing sheds and toilets

Little Wonders Childcare (Oamaru) is a large, high-performing, privately-owned centre that has been in operation for five years. It provides care and education for children from three months to school age.

A small lake (takes approx. 90 minutes to walk round) and an ideal swimming spot. Lots of space to spread out and play, perfect for cycling, walks, games and picnics. Longdrop (bush) toilet on site. 25mins from Queenstown, the Moke Lake turn off is along the Glenorchy Road. Part of the access is unsealed. No dogs allowed.

Travel from the town of Te Anau to New Zealand's' famous underground network of glow worm caves nearby that is illuminated by the light of hundreds of native local glow worms! This glow worms tour will take you into their heart to view this amazing natural display up close. A must-do experience for anyone visiting the Fiordland region, the glow worm caves are located in the lower section of a much larger cave system which extends deep under the nearby Fiordland National Park and consist of a wondrous underground world of flowing water that plays home to hundreds of the shimmering glow worms.

This is the safest beach in Raglan for swimming. It is accessible from either the road or from the footbridge at the lower end of Bow Street. The beach is black-sand but is popular with families. There is a children’s playground.

The track crosses the peninsula’s clifftop, with excellent views of the Seaward Kaikoura Range, ocean and coastline, to South Bay. It returns to the township via South Bay and Toms Track. Potential to observe wildlife including seals and sea birds.

This family friendly walk can be done in parts or if you want to explore the entire walk allow 3 hours.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to survive on such an amazing but highly dangerous continent? Now you can experience what it is like living in Antarctica (the coldest, driest and windiest continent) without leaving NZ. Take a journey with the family for a great day out that’s fun, exciting and full of interactive experiences. Here you can watch snow fall, experience a snow and ice storm in the four seasons room (a re-created environment of Antarctica), meet with the Little Blue Penguins and watch a 4D extreme show that simulates the stunning scenery and animal close-ups as if you were cruising through this ice continent! You can also delight in a ride on the ‘Hagglund’ – a highly authentic ride in an all-terrain amphibious Antarctic vehicle that replicates the conditions scientists experience as they travel over ice, across crevasses, up and down hills and through water. You will also see polar tents, how they eat plus get to try on some authentic Antarctic Extreme Cold Weather (ECW) clothing. An awesome day out for all ages, fantastic birthday party venue plus they offer great school holiday and education programmes.

Just a short 15 min walk takes you to excellent views of the blue-green waters of the Hokitika River as it makes its way through the rock sided Hokitika Gorge - this short, easy walk is a great option for kids. From the car park, follow the walking track for a few minutes through dense podocarp/hardwood forest before emerging onto a viewing platform. From here you can look down to the stunning Hokitika Gorge and out to the lush farmland of Kowhitirangi. This part of the track is accessible for wheelchairs. From the viewing platform, continue for another 6 minutes along the curving boardwalks and you will reach a swing bridge. From here there are excellent views of the blue-green waters of the Hokitika River as it makes its way through the rock sided Hokitika Gorge. For good views further up the gorge, cross the swing bridge and when you come to the end of it turn left (straight ahead leads to private farmland). The track continues for another 200 m through the bush to another viewing platform with looking out to the gorge upstream of the bridge.

Gisborne is blessed with a fantastic, sunny climate, year round. It is famed for its gorgeous, golden beaches and turquoise sea. While you can swim at any spot along the Poverty Bay coastline, if you’re with children we would recommend you stick to the popular main beaches as there’s a consistent swell, and surf lifesavers are on duty during the summer, at key swimming spots. Try Waikanae Beach, with toilets and café nearby. These spots are just ideal to learn to surf, or just to play on a boogie board, as the swell tends to be clean and not too large.

The Cairnmuir track follows the range of the same name and runs from Cromwell to Clyde on the south side of the Cromwell Gorge. Because of its central location it has 360 degree views and on a clear day mountain peaks many kilometers away may be seen. There is a 6km (2.5hr) walk which provides wonderful views of the Cromwell area and the mountain ranges beyond. The track starts at the Conservation Department sign on Cornish Point Road, reached by turning into Cairnmuir Road just over the Bannockburn Bridge. This is vineyard territory and there are options to stop and enjoy food and wine along the way before or after your walk.
The track winds steeply up the hill and when a small saddle is reached, goes through the gate up the main ridge on an old four wheel drive track. There are markers to guide you the whole way. This is an arid landscape with wild thyme predominating in many places. 3 km up this track, just before a small descent, there is a good place to stop, soak in the view, have a bite to eat, and then return the way you came. All the way down the views are spectacular and combined with the fragrance of thyme this is a memorable Central Otago walk.

This playcentre backs onto a reserve and has a warm, friendly atmosphere with hot beverages for the adults and organised family social activities. They welcome you to drop in and have a look around.

This mostly flat walk will give you amazing views of the lake and the mountains. Start on the east end of the lake. Information along the walk will fill you in on highlights and history.

This 2 hour, 4km loop track is a great option to explore the native bush and the view points along the Te Apiti Gorge.

We promote the development of active and confident learners who think, question, seek information and apply knowledge to the best of their ability. All our children go on to have a lifelong thirst for learning thanks to the many and varied learning experiences they get with us in all of our fabulous I-Kids centres.

At Fox Glacier township, turn onto the Cook Flat road and drive for 5km, where you’ll see the turn off for Lake Matheson. The walk around Lake Matheson is best done at sunrise, and if the weather is clear and still, you will be rewarded with incredible reflections of Mount Cook. Any time of day, however, it’s a pleasant lakeside/ancient forest walk, with backdrop views of the Southern Alps, flanked by Aoraki/Mt Cook. Restaurant, toilets and carpark onsite.

This large, flat area lies between Rotorua airport and the shores of Lake Rotorua. There is an all mobility playground, horse bridle trial and a dog exercise area. The reserve has large open spaces for recreational activities and the beach is popular for swimming and windsurfing. There are toilets, BBQs and picnic tables.

2 and 3 bedroom, Qualmark rated 5 star apartments, just a few minutes stroll from the Hot Pools and restaurants of Hanmer Springs. All rooms have King beds and the spacious living space includes a private balcony and separate dining area. Our three bedroom suites have two separate bathrooms, ideal for families.

Resting place of The Rainbow Warrior, Matauri Bay looks out to the Cavelli Islands. This golden, sandy beach, which is over a kilometre long and has crystal clear water, is safe for swimming and excellent for surfing at high tide and fishing. Maturi Bay has its own beachfront camping ground and general store.