Newtown Park (by the Zoo), Manchester Street
A small playground, tucked in between the zoo, the athletics track and the carpark, this one still packs a good punch. It captures great sunshine, particularly in the later afternoon, while also offering large trees for shade. It only has a couple of pieces of play equipment, but if you’ve had a battle getting your kids out of the zoo, it’s worth the stop to reset everyones moods before you have to commute across the city to get home. Not a destination playground, but definitely worth a stop.
PoTW – Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton
Dixon Street / Memorial Drive, Masterton
I grew up visiting this park, as my grandfather lived a block off the back corner of the wider park, so my brother and I often took our bikes past the cemetery, around the cricket oval and over to the play area. The only things that remain of that playground are a couple of old tractors for clambering on, and the train on the island over the bridge.
That’s not a bad thing – the new(ish) wooden play space is great for exploring by kids of all ages, there’s even a pre-schooler section. The flying fox out the back has good speed, and a great flick at the end if you’re heavy enough.
Toilets are a little bit of a walk down the main road (and there are only 2 cubicles), and parking can be tight if there is something on at the pool or events centre across the road. But its a great option to drive down the accessway into the park, grab a spot in the shade and walk through the park, stopping for a picnic maybe.
The wider park is great for exploring. Across the old swing bridge are some deer in a large paddock, and to the west of there is a BMX track.
PoTW – Haruatai Park, Otaki
Mill Road, Otaki
Nestled just below the Otaki swimming pool is this hidden gem of a play area. A good sized grass area to run around on, a range of play equipment options (including a pump track), some good shade on a warm day, and public toilets right next to the playground. The giant swing is a particular recommendation, it is AMAZING.
A great place to stop and stretch the legs.
We highly recommend the neighbouring swimming pool too – the outdoor splash pad is free to access and has a BBQ space, or you can pay for entry to the pools, which include a good sized kids pool and clean changing rooms.
PoTW – Waitangi Park, Wellington
Oriental Parade, Wellington
This is a strange wee play area. On the one hand, the sand play area is very much aimed at the very small kids, while the larger free-play structures are very much aimed at older kids. There’s not really anything here for those aged about 4-10. But there are toilets and a cafe that serves ice cream, along with a massive grass area to run around on adjoining the park, a basketball court, and is near to the skate bowl, so it’s also got a lot going for it.
A popular stop-off point when visiting the Sunday produce market just up Cable Street, or after Te Papa.
PoTW – Westburn Reserve, Christchurch
Westburn Terrace, Christchurch
We spent a week in Christchurch the other summer. Then-Mr4 would have happily given up nearly everything else we did in return for just spending his time here, even if most of the time he didn’t want to be on his bike.
Thankfully, in addition to an AWESOME bike circuit that is off and away from main roads with easy parking and a toilet, there is a great wee playground with some good shade. The playgrounds best feature is its super fast merry go round, although its traditional style and fairly tall slide is also a great treat.
The bike circuit has intersections, imitation level crossings, pedestrian crossings, and interesting corners. Its big enough for Mum or Dad to ride along too. Highly recommended, one of the best small-scale public bike parks we’ve come across.
PoTW – Tongariro South Domain, Taupo
Access off Story Place
Scattered through a generous sized grass area is this gem of a playground. There are several parking areas within close walk and the fancy paid superloo behind the trees (carry cash if you visit with small kids).
A range of play equipment beckons – from modern net swings, to older-fashioned climbing frames, there are also a reasonable number of picnic tables scattered around the play equipment. Grab a mate and play chess on the giant chess set near the bus stop. Sheltered by a range of mature trees, even in summer this can be a lovely cool area for kids to explore.
Tongariro Domain is a huge expanse of recreational space. In the North Domain there are often travelling fairs and circus tents during the summer, and at the lake end of South Domain, alongside Ferry Road, is a Lions train that runs on weekends and during school holidays. This “train” is a bit different from others in that its a monorail. Your $2 ticket will get you three circuits.
PoTW – Khandallah Park
Woodmancote Road, Khandallah
This is a well-shaded playground that is great for exploring on warm summer days. It recently had a new slide installed and its flying fox upgraded. If you’re really warm, there’s even a sun-heated outdoor pool between the carpark at the playground. It’s also an access point for the walking tracks on the flanks of Mt Kaukau, if that’s what you are keen on – you can walk just a short distance, or you can launch from here onto the Wuu2K route (a 62km mostly trail route to the South Coast then back to Mt Vic)
Reasonably close to public transport, if you can manage it, I’d recommend not taking your car here on a sunny weekend day, as the access road is narrow and the carpark at the end fills up fast. The really good news though is there are toilets at the carpark, and a café at the park entrance. So even when its busy, its still good.
PotW – Waterfront, Picton
London Quay, Picton
For some reason, most people never stop in Picton – they drive off the ferry and head south, or purposely arrive with barely time to check in for their ferry on departure.
The ones who do this with kids are totally missing out.
For our last big South Island holiday, we purposely planned for our last night to be in Picton, so we could waste time at leisure in this gorgeous wee spot. Sadly, it bucketed down with rain, so we were forced indoors for the morning instead.
Between the huge pirate ship to clamber over, the water play area and the beach access, there is also the gorgeous (and cheap!) miniature train, mini golf (not as cheap, but totally cute), along with other opportunities to explore. Parking immediately between the playground and the Interislander terminal is generous and has a 4hr time limit.
There are toilets near the Memorial Arch that leads to the main road, and its not a long walk up the main road to find multiple eateries, and a reasonable sized supermarket.
Patuna Chasm – Local Adventure
Bookings Required
You’ll need to book early for this adventure, as it only allows 20 people at a time to book in for the trip across private farmland and into the amazing chasm. Tickets are relatively inexpensive – $30 adult / $15 child – for the 2019/2020 summer season. Kids under 6 are not able to participate.
What to Pack
You’ll need water, snacks / lunch, something warm to wear in the chasm if its not a hot day. Leave a change of clothes in the car, because you WILL get wet. Take a camera. Pack everything that you don’t want getting wet into waterproof gear bags. Make sure you wear reasonably sturdy shoes – the walk in involves a chunk of up and down and is exposed, the river is full of tiny bits of gravel and slippery algae. Sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen are essential for sunny days.
The Trip
You’ll meet in the farmers back yard. There’s a good amount of parking off and in the middle of the loop for everyone. Be a few minutes early to allow time to use the toilet in the corner of the parking paddock (it flushes, and there is a hose tap on the fence for hand washing after), and to ensure you have all your gear you need before you leave.
Health and Safety briefing was a bit haphazard for us – here, read this and then sign a waiver – and the briefing was even more so, a muddled run through of what we could expect from the walk as we drove across the farms in the 4wd. Apparently there is usually a trailer that they tow people out on, but it was broken, so they were using the bed of a truck and a 7-seater 4wd to do the transport instead.
Once you’re at the gate, you start with a walk. A small climb and solid drop down to the stream, where you can see the optional exit point. Then you climb up a heap more and sidle around the edge of the chasm for a while. Taking two pre-teens and stopping for some lunch along the way, it took us maybe an hour to get to the actual entrance to the chasm.
When you’re in there, drop off the bulk of your bag and take a wander upstream to the waterfall area. It’s a great introduction to walking in the river. Collect your bag on the way back down past this spot. You can take your time from here on out – we were near the very back of our time slot group, and we still got back to the carpark with more than half an hour to spare.
There’s some interesting bits of walking through the chasm – over a rock and down a ladder, through overhangs, a short thigh-deep section under a water splash (not big enough to call it a waterfall). When you get to the area where you can see the track again, there’s an option to use a rope to climb a rock to get on to the track, or you can go into the next puddle and find an easier walk onto the track.
From here, the option is to walk back along the track or to continue down the river. You will be chest deep (on a normal height adult) if you go down the river, so make sure your bag is suitably packed if you want to go that way. Pick up is back at the drop off point and then its back to the car and home!
Getting There
You’ll need your own transport for this one. The Chasm is about 20 minutes drive out of Martinborough along some gravel roads. Stunning country and on a good day you get some lovely views.
PotW – Te Kapua Park, Turangi
Ohuanga Road, Turangi
This is one of our new favourite places to stop for a picnic and run around on any roadie through the central North Island. The playground is compact and simple, with some unique features, like the low-slung hammock swing. There are raised terraced seating areas, a couple of rubbish bins and ample parking. Toilets are located within the carpark area, and the playground is right outside the local swimming pool.
As an added bonus, being Turangi (a rather small town), its not far to the cafes for some food, or there is a dairy immediately across the road that also does fish n chips.
If you’re passing through and need a leg stretch, make the time for this one. You wont regret it.
Explorastory 