If you fancy getting a little active with the family then I’d like to introduce you to Mitre Peak Cruises. If you’d like to climb rocks, explore native forest and meat some local seals, then grab the cruise boat and head forth – Mitre Peak Cruises are the best in helping you explore the Milford Sound in a fun and educational way!

Take the family on a trip to Mildford Sound and explore the spectacular views. Together you’ll see wildlife, learn about the area and you may even get to see wildlife. This was one of my favourite ever NZ experiences.

Get the kids back in to nature at Kepler Oaks. They’ll love getting to know the horses, rabbit, sheep, chickens and dog – I certainly did! They’ll learn to care for animals, go pony cart riding and explore Lake Te Anau. An amazing experience.

Want to know the best places to explore in Te Anau and Fiordland? Well, I have the secret for you … jump on a Takitimu Tiki Tour and let them take you on a fun and informative two hour trip around the area. You’ll see amazing wildlife and fauna on your trip.

A ski field with amazing views, Mt Hutt is another family activity which is worth a try. The laidback vibe here is all about safety and learning to ski the right way, so if you’re kids are just learning, head to Mt Hutt this winter.

Love to snowboard go to snow planet! of course not the same as the mountain but still an awesome day out! Perfect for advanced and especially beginners! Perfect day out for the kids!

This place is awesome, such a fun, different thing to do with your Friday or Sat night! So much fun! And they have a bar! Win Win!

Really cool day out with a bunch of mates or with the family! Different obstacle courses that are so much fun! Full induction to ensure safety! I took my little cousin and he loved it! Awesome location - great day out!

No better way to relax than this! great range of pools and slides for those adventure seekers! Cannot beat relaxing while watching a movie! private spa's are the best!!!

This is without a doubt one of the most fun action packed activities to do! I am not a great paintball player but had an awesome time, staff were friendly and so helpful -  safety first! Must try

Great for Boot Camps

Great organiser for Rock Climbing activity for Summer

Lifetime experience

Great outdoor adventure in forest

Great for clay target shooting

If you’re like me and don’t have your own boat or aren’t too confident about finding where the best fishing spots are in Auckland then I highly recommend booking a charter with Doctor Hook Fishing Adventures. They do great packages at twilight (when the fish are jumping in the harbour and out by Rangitoto Island) that consist of $80pp for four hours. This team know what they are doing and have years of experience so you are almost guaranteed to get a feed. Now that’s value for money!

There's nothing more satisfying than casting a line in the channel and waters around Rangitoto Island, both of which make for great Auckland fishing if you’ve got a boat (or can sweet-talk someone you know who has one). Head out from Narrowneck Beach near Devonport on Auckland’s North Shore to get your fill of snapper and kahawai. Watch out for birds working to trawl through schools of kahawai. If you’ve got a dinghy, stick to the Auckland shoreline for safety.

Out East near Bucklands Beach, Musick Point Reserve is a wonderful place to take the kids rock fishing. There’s lots of great rocky outcrops where you can bait up, set a line and cast out into the calm, clear waters. And if you are lucky enough to have a boat - there is one boat for every four people in Auckland, don’t you know - you can head across to Pakatoa Island where in summer the schools of fish are jumping.

Early summer in Auckland means snapper season and in December and January there are usually schools of snapper that travel down past Rakino Island, making it one of the best fishing spots to snag this precious white-fleshed fish. If you are land-based then the fishing is best off Rakino Wharf and if you have a boat you can head out to the hole, which sits just off the wharf. One of the most remote islands in the Hauraki Gulf, yet just over a 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland, this is one place that both locals and visitors alike should have on their summer to-do list.

If you want to catch snapper from land then one of the most ideal fishing spots in Auckland is under the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Known by avid anglers as one of the best places to go when the fish are biting, you are almost guaranteed to get something on the hook. Plus, it’s a really cool fishing spot to take kids because they can watch all the action on the harbour if the fish aren’t taking the bait.

When I was three I was given a year long pass to the Auckland Zoo. It was perhaps the best gift I was ever given. Each week without fail I’d trek around the zoo and check in on all of the animals. It still is a pretty magical place, my nephew seconds this (the meerkats were a highlight). With a wide range of animals and great layout it’s a perfect day outing, especially for families.

This week I headed to Eden Park for three days to watch the Black Caps vs England test match. It was a nail biter to put it lightly. Aside from the actual test the stadium itself is world class, spacious and easy to navigate. The only department that could do with some improvement is the food, someone needs to sort out their burgers!

If you’re in the city fringe and looking for the perfect spot to watch the sunset I would recommend heading down to Cremorne Bay. At the bottom of a step set of stairs you’ll find a small sandstone ledge with foot holes. Navigate your way to one of the plateaus and grab a seat. From here you’ll have one of the best views in the city. Romance? Guaranteed.

Western Park is my favourite inner city outdoor area. When I need to switch off from big smoke life, I head to this park located in the suburb of Freemans Bay. It’s a midsized park with several walkways, a kids playground and a small performance space amongst the scenery. If you need an escape Western Park’s well worth checking out.

We decided to do something a little different with our Saturday and caught the ferry across to Devenport. On the way up to the Devenport lookout we picked up a deep fried package from the Riba Fish and Chip shop. Their was a good menu of options and the staff were friendly and helpful. The fish, chips and fritters, which were ready within ten minutes, were all crispy and well cooked, and boy the view was exceptional!

So much fun exploring all the tunnels in this amazing historic site. it's a unique New Zealand experience the whole family enjoyed.

This beautiful spot is always a hit even in winter. Our 8yo loves finding all the hidden tracks and can spend hours watching the birds and hunting for rabbits.

One of our favourite places in Auckland. Watching the animals works for the whole family. Always an in-depth discussion on which ones to see first!

Rain or shine, day or night the museum will always fascinate our family. Not only informative, it's a fun way to learn about New Zealand's past and the world around.

Great way to spend a wet afternoon... who doesn't love glow in the dark and mini golf? It's a fun way to get the kids out of the house!

Most picturesque beach outlook in Auckland.

These people know their cycles. Always a pleasure to pop in.

Sizzle in a hot spring, just don't go on the last Saturday of every month!

Do some laps after work and then head to either the dry or steam sauna.

Fly a kite at one of Auckland's iconic hills.

We go to Kelly Tarlton's at least once a year on camp - and that means we get to sleep over, right in the tunnel under the aquarium where you can see the sharks swimming above you all night. This is an amazing place. They have huge 300kg Stingrays, a giant squid (dead of course) and so many other attractions. It also changes every year. The first year I saw mantis shrimp which are a great find!

I love coming here for parties or relaxation times with the kids. They are always happy to spend a few hours climbing the enormous fig trees or going on adventures down by the massive redwoods. We spent some fun times feeding leaves to cows too! There are toilet facilities nearby and a fancy restaurant if you'd like some delicious tea and scones.

This is a great venue for parties. We spent a whole day here, tiring out kids. There's trampolines of course but also tarzan ropes and climbing areas.

This is a very good high energy kids party place! The staff are great, safety is well monitored. You'll probably want to bring some adults to help belay kids up the wall - or to climb themselves. You don't need ropes to go "bouldering", which is climbing under an overhang. If you fall off you just end up on mats, something I did plenty.

This is my favourite beach, we often come here for walks with the kids or do a bit of body surfing. The waves are wild so I stay quite shallow with young kids and we always have a good time. The perfectly calm swimming pool beaches on the east coast are better for really young kids. Another attraction here is the Gannet colony, quite a sight. We sometimes grab some food in Kumeu and park at the beach to eat and watch the sunset.

It might not give you a natural glow but you'll have a lot of fun winding through this visual spectacle.

Rainy day? Too lazy to walk around a golf course? Dislike grass? Place yourself in this virtual world and have some fun.

Get your friends together and make a team. Rain or shine, the weather is always fine at Action Indoor Sports. Side effects may include increased heart rate, excessive sweating and a good time.

Went here with workmates, booked a few lanes, ordered some pizza, a few strikes later and I could call it an evening well spent.

Hiring bats and balls has never been easier. Especially if you enjoy a classic table tennis battle. Classic fun. Classic times. Remember your sweatband.

Great place

Great picnic spot

Stunning beach

Love the hot pools

Love to picnic

Fun for the whole family!

Great for events and fun for young kids

Beautiful place to play, wander and explore

A lovely park for kids to play - and when the tide is up a great place to swim!

A short ferry trip to Devonport is a lovely way to spend the day.

Best camp ground in Auckland for fine dinning , cafes , bars and night life . But also if you just wanna go camping .

Best place to find a camp ground in Australia and New Zealand even Tasmania . www.park-sleep.co.nz

Find on www.park-sleep.co.nz and photographs of the camp ground

best camp ground on the West Coast near Auckland , but please swim between the flags find on www.park-sleep.co.nz aussie camps Tassie campsites

just a wonderful park for camping or just being near nature