[nippa&pippa]

Has anyone stay there? http://www.thefarmyardholidaypark.co.nz/index.html
Any good for children under 5years old?

[SharpBlade]

Hi Sophia ,
Sorry, I can`t help but it sounds like a good place to stay with the kids, especially with young ones like yours. Geraldine is supposed to be nice too.
Let me know what it is like because that`s something we might like to do on a two days trip at some stage.
We are just back from the west coast and Abel Tasman and really, it doesn`t matter too much where you stay as there is always so many things to do/see in NZ, wherever you are !
Take care, Laura

[Moorf]

What did you think of the Abel Tasman area Laura?

[SharpBlade]

Well, we didn`t stay very long (3 and half days) and the weather wasn`t that great... but despite this, I could see myself living there once we are a bit older. We stayed at the top ten in Motueka, great place for the kids and very friendly staff. Our initial plan was to stay in Marahau in a little cabin but once we saw it, we realise it wouldn`t work. Plus we had driven all the way from the West coast in the lashing rain and we really needed a break, I couldn`t face being cramped in a little cabin with the kids driving me up the wall. But Marahau is lovely once the sun comes out, the beach is really nice. We took a water taxi one sunny day and it dropped us around Bark bay from where we followed a walking track to Torrent Bay (very pretty), that`s a 2hours and half walk. It feels a bit paradisiac with all the lovely shelves and turquoise water.
But what I liked best was the West coast. We stayed at the backpacker in Punakaiki, great place. I am amazed by all these lush never ending forests and there is a lot to see on the west coast. Tauranga bay is supposed to be beautiful but we didn`t stop (rain). We went to Shantytown (mainly for the kids) and walked in a cave, but we had to cancel most of our plans because of the weather. We walked the Iron Bridge over the mighty Buller river (I don`t know why we have to pay for this.. ) and over the next few days , we managed to do a few walks. I find the NZ roads very good (coming from the west coast of Ireland) and most picnic areas are good too.
Doing a little trip like this makes me realise how big and empty NZ is, and we haven`t been very far !
One thing I would recommend is to stick to the main roads. My husband decided to take a "little shortcut" and we ended on a narrow stone track winding up through some forest reserve, had to cross a few "puddles" and I could see our car ending up down the cliffs at each turn..No cell phone coverage, 4 young kids in the car (and not a very good car at that!! an old nissan serena..) and a 6 1/2 pregnant woman.. Took us 35 min to do 7 kms !

Anyway, Tasman is beautiful but 3 days doesn`t do it justice. When is the next holiday ??
Laura

[Familyofmonkeys]

That place looks fab......could just see OH and sprogs having a wail or a time with all the animals. Apparently, we are going to visit an Alpaca farm for daytrip soon :) .