[suebeenz]

Can someone recommend some things to see with kids, say within 2 hours or so of Auckland? Or perhaps recommend a tour book that keeps the kiddies in mind?

Seems like there would be plenty to do in Rotorua, but not sure if that's too far ...

Thanks :cheers

[jubjub]

There is sooo much for kids to do, you probably wont get it all done!

Loads of ideas on this thread http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9421&highlight=holidays

And I find this site quite useful too http://www.viewauckland.co.nz/whats_on.asp

Enjoy!

[swissmissdesigner]

I was very impresset from the remodelled Auckland Museum in Parnell!

[movefromus]

As the previous poster stated - the Auckland Museum is fun, as are the grounds surrounding it (The Auckland Domain).
- Cornwall Park (the grounds around One Tree Hill) is a great place for a picnic. As kids we used to love climbing in the huge roots of the trees there.
- If you have money there's the Auckland Zoo and Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World.
- Long Bay Beach is a nice beach to visit - good amenities.
- Waiwera Hot Pools (don't know the cost though) is just past Orewa and is great fun - water slides, etc.
- Shakespeare Park is a great place for camping by the beach.
- You could catch the ferry to Waiheke Island (35 minute trip from Auckland City) or to Rangitoto Island.
- Devonport (North Shore) is nice to walk around and has park by the beach for kids - you can catch a ferry from there into the city also.
- Rainbow's End is the small Amusement Park New Zealand offer's (in Auckland)...nothing like the ones overseas but fun for NZ children (when they can afford to go).
- There's a large park area by the zoo called Western Springs Park....it would be a good place for riding bikes.
- The different Mt's around Auckland can be fun to visit...North Head (I think it's that one) has a bunch of old cement tunnels going through the hill from war times (world war 1 perhaps).

Hope that gives you some ideas - I'm not sure how old your kids are. Most of this stuff is in the city or within 45 mins.

Rotorua might be about....3.5 hours away?

[Debbie]

Im a big fan of MOTAT and my kids love it too. I think it's great that if you only see half of it, (it's in 2 sections) you just bring your ticket back and do the other half another day. My kids are 5 and 3 so they never get round more than half in a day.
Debbie

[westies]

This we thought was an amazing find, The Rainforest Express - absolutely fantastic you do have to book though!! http://www.watercare.co.nz/default,recreation.sm
Enjoy!

[suebeenz]

Thanks for your suggestions here guys. :-) Very much appreciated.

[Milliemoo]

This we thought was an amazing find, The Rainforest Express - absolutely fantastic you do have to book though!! http://www.watercare.co.nz/default,recreation.sm
Enjoy!

Nevermind kids, that looks cool :nice1

Milliemoo

[willowshouse]

Have a look at this for info on Tree-Climbing in Woodhill Forest

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=10925&highlight=woodhill+forest

It is great!

Dawn