[foolsgold99]

Thought it might be a good idea to have a thread where people post suggestions for places to spend a fun day in NZ.

I'll start with Western Springs park in Auckland. Really nice place, big lake with lots of birds / fish and eels. lots of grass to sit on, kick a ball about etc.

Really clean and well looked after, take a picnic and it'll cost you nothing.

Here's a photo that I didn't take


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/asjohnstone/WesternSprings-023.jpg

[wilson182]

No piccies I'm afraid, but two suggestions

Spencer Park, Spencerville Christchurch. Part of a holiday camp, two great kids playgrounds + bbq's (50 cents for the gas, it cost us about two dollars when we went and there were 10 of us), loads of space for ball games etc, plus a nice walk to the beach if you want.

The Groynes, Christchurch. Loads of picnic and bbq areas, two great lakes, boating, kids playgrounds, and again loads of space for ball games etc.

[Singel]

Wow, that is really nice and tranquil.

Thanks for sharing :nice1

[dave k]

Karori Wildlife Reserve in Wellington is nothing short of amazing!!
How many major cities have a 250 acre valley of unspoilt wilderness in them??

A MUST see in Wellytown!

Actually, I'll add the Botanic Gardens too. Awesome!

[sizzlingbadger]

Sorry no pictures

Cape Palliser, Wairarapa. You get to see the seals for free. Also the drive down is amazing along with the lighthouse.

The endless supply of beaches we have on the doorstep that aren't over crowded and heavily polluted

We've also been told Kaitoke National Park is worth a visit. This is next on the agenda.

[jubjub]

Only an hour and a half from Auckland, very relaxed and tranquil feel to it. We packed a lunch and drove over this morning.

Plenty of empty beaches, blue skies and sunshine. The 20kms north of Thames are great fun to drive, a bit like the Big Sur in California. No nice pub to stop for a beer though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v690/asjohnstone/IMGP0594.jpg

[gil]

What a fabulous picture!
Gil

[Moorf]

Or go for a walk up on the Port Hills for great views across Christchurch and the coast :)

[Moorf]

Or a walk on Brighton Beach..... :)

[kiwidebs]

Will you lot stop torturing me with these beautiful images of places I either love or would love to see!! It is making me homesick. Our house sale is dragging - not as straight forward as we were led to believe - and all we want is to be out of here :wah :wah .

Just kidding folks - keep posting the inspirational pics, they help keep me going when it really doesn't seem worth the effort anymore.

Debs

[gil]

omg, reminds me of West Wales.......!! Thanks for the lovely inspiring pics, they really help!!
Gil

[kiwidebs]

Funnily enough Gil, I found that many parts of Wales reminded me of New Zealand.

Debs

[gil]

Really??! I've always been told there's an "affinity" between Wales and NZ, praps it's true. We're off for our annual long weekend in Pembrokeshire end Oct here's the cottage http://www.coastalcottages.co.uk/new_template2005.asp?cottageref=32675&pricecode=&checkbox=0
It's by the sea and in the middle of nowhere....bliss!! :D
Gil