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School Holidays in Central Hawke's Bay

Keep the kids entertained these school holidays with great activities in Central Hawke's Bay.

A short 30 minute scenic drive south of Hastings, you'll discover quaint townships, secluded beaches and outstanding coffee spots.

Check out our pick of some family fun activities for your the school holidays in Central Hawke’s Bay.

Beaches & Te Angiangi Marine Reserve

While the days are getting shorter there is still the lingering warmth of summer. Pack the car with the kids, a picnic, snorkels, togs and wetsuits and head to the coast to explore the beautifully scenic Central Hawke’s Bay Beaches!

Explore rockpools and marvel at all the sea life at the Te Angiangi Marine reserve, the perfect spot for a day of exploration with the kids. Just make sure you time it with the tides.

Russell Park Playground

Russell Park is an exciting outdoor space with lots of fun activities and big open spaces, the perfect place to enjoy some family fun.

The Park is home to a big colourful playground, including swings and a flying fox, heated indoor pool complex, scooter and bike tracks as well as a popular skate park, great for all ages. There is also lots of green spaces to burn some energy, shade and seating areas. Through to the end of the April holidays, the kids can enjoy water fun at the park's Splash Pad

Tukituki Trails and Mountain Bike Park

Throw the bikes in the boot and head out along the Tukituki Trails, featuring a swing bridge stretching across the Tukituki River, a great easy mountain biking track for the more adventurous families and well maintained limestone tracks for walking and cycling.
~ Allow 30 minutes or longer

Short walks

Central Hawke's Bay offers your perfect rural escape, with stunning landscapes and bushlands at every turn. Explore this rural paradise on foot with a short walk. Check out some of these great walks

• Lindsay Bush
• A’Deanes Bush
• Moncktons Bush

Central Hawke’s Bay Museum

In the Heart of Waipawa, Central Hawke’s Bay Museum is a treasure trove of history. Take a step into the everyday life of early settlers with fun interactive exhibits for the whole family to enjoy. ~ Allow 1 hour

Ongaonga Historic Village

Explore beautiful Ongaonga Museum’s collection of historic buildings, and take a step back in time to how our early settlers lived. The Ongaonga Historic Society manages the Ongaonga Museum and Coles Bros factory, a category 1 listed former Carpentry factory. A wonderful collection of history with old buildings and historic homes to explore, as well as historical documents, photographs, tools, and machinery. Open from 11:00am – 3:00pm every Sunday, you can delve a little deeper into the history and collections, or explore at your own pace when suits.

• $5 adult 
• Children are free

 

Ranui Farm

Get out on the farm these holidays with the kids and enjoy the popular Sunday Funday at Ranui Farm. On the first Sunday of the month, the Sunday Fundays are guaranteed to wear out even the most energetic of small people! (And their parents!) Families are invited to come and enjoy scenic walks across the farm! There is a large playground for the kids to enjoy including a sandpit, a 70-metre water slide, 80-metre flying fox, archery, paintball targets, and a golf-pitch or chip. Take a picnic or try some good wholesome food from our rustic home-style cafe.

A working sheep and beef farm which offers adventure & mountain bike park that offers a variety of both relaxing and exhilarating activities for visitors of all ages, and abilities. Professional athletes, campers and leisure seekers visit the park to bike, run and walk the purpose-built mountain bike tracks through rolling hillsides and gentle bush tracks while taking in the country air

• Adults - $15
• Under 18 Years - $10
• Under 2 years - FREE

 

Need to Grab a bite with the kids? The Paper Mulberry Café in Pukehou is a great family-friendly stop with a delicious menu and a playground for the kids, not to mention a spot of shopping for mum and dad.