A real New Zealand favorite! Castlepoint is the destination of choice for many Kiwi's and tourists alike. The weather is great, the water is warm and the sand is perfect for building sandcastles. A great place to holiday or just visit for the day, but you may never want to leave!

Riversdale Beach is where our family go every summer. It has a real community feel and it is such a lovely place to be. This fishing is great launch a boat, put out a net, dive for paua, catch a crayfish all the best fishing is here! A great place to take the kids swimming, find starfish in the rock pools and play in the soft sand.

During the summer you will find us here daily with our dog. It is the best place to take your dog in the area because there is so much room for them to run around without getting in other people's way. The road is far from the reserve so it's safe for both the dogs and kids. Our dog loves the river and it's normally calm so perfect for the dogs to chase some sticks and swim in!

This great little campsite is perfect for a quick getaway! If you are looking for a real kiwi outdoors adventure pack your tent, your togs and the BBQ, you can even bring the dog! With heaps of grass to run around on and awesome swimming holes near by this is a great destination for a camoing trip!

It's only 15kms from Masterton but it feels like you are in a different world altogether! This is perfect for a summer getaway with your tent, camper or caravan. There are toilet facilities, a creek nearby and a shelter for cooking.

Pack up the kids, the dog and a picnic and enjoy a spring day at the beach! Take a walk down the beach, build some sandcastles, dip your toes in the water or throw in a line and catch your dinner. It's the perfect way to see in the warmer months after being cooped up inside over winter!

Tangimoana beach has some great fishing, plenty of sand for the kids to play in and great waves for surfers. Fantastic for a day out or a family holiday that's not too far out of the way! A popular beach for quad bikers, wind surfers and great dunes for the kids to run up and slide down on their boogy boards!

This is a favorite spot for fishing with the locals, on a fine day you will see plenty of people dotted all along the beach with their rods in the surf! It's a great place for surf casting or if you are the owner of a boat there are plenty of great fishing spots further out.

I spent many summers growing up at Waitarere Beach, it's a great spot for families and the small township is buzzing in the summer months. Spend the days relaxing on the beach, swimming or launch your boat for a spot of fishing! It's a great atmosphere with lovely people, sunshine and picnics on the beach, what more could you want?

This is the home of Wanganui Surf Life Saving Club. As Well as being safe for swimming it's an awesome place to hang out in the summertime with family. Build sandcastles, go swimming, or just hang out on the sand. Perfect kiwi summer activity!

This is a great walk if you are just building your fitness or want to go somewhere that doesn't take all day, the whole walk is around 2-3 hours return. Tramps are an awesome way to get active because you are out in nature getting fresh air and these hills will really work out your legs! It's one of my favourite places to go because it's a free activity and much more fun than going to the gym!

I took my daughter here a couple of weeks ago and she loved it. There is a really small section of the Gorge walk that you can do from here which only took us about 15 minutes which is great for preschoolers! After that we had a play at the park and it was an awesome family outing!

If you want a real New Zealand Experience go on this 3 day walk. Hear the birds in the trees, smell the fresh air and enjoy the outdoors. You can even take a swim break at the river before heading off again. Such a great way to see this beautiful country of ours and get some excersize at the same time!

My husband has walked this track many times and he tells me the view is beyond amazing! This is for experienced and very fit walkers only and it is a very steep track. However, it's so worth it once you reach the the top!

This is said to be one of New Zealand's best private walks! With amazing views you can't see anywhere else in the world. This is a 3 day walk and is suitable for families, all of your meals are provided too so it's a real retreat!

This is an awesome free activity! No matter your fitness level, it's a great way to get outside, get active and get away from cell phones, emails and reconnect with nature! I love going on walks like this, it's a gre de-stresser!

Grab the family, a picnic lunch, a warm jacket and do the Manawatu Gorge Bush Walk. Stroll among the native trees and plants while listening to the birds chirping above your head. A great day trip that involves the whole family getting outdoors and active in this beautiful location!

Ride along the river, through the Esplanade and down newly made tracks made especially for scenic cycling. A great ride for both beginner and intermediate riders. A 20km round trip can be broken down into smaller rides with dozens of access points throughout the track. A great weekend activity for the family!

If you didn't know how magical it was you would probably pass through without thinking twice. But it really is a lovely place to visit, gardens, birds and an amazing fountain that comes to life after dark. A great place for a picnic, to feed the ducks and watch the fountain's light show!

If we get a fine day these holidays take a drive to Owlcatraz in Shannon. Pack the gumboots and get up close to their resident farm animals! The kids will love Jonah Low Moo the bull, Owlibaba the Alpaca and Oha Kune the pig! Their family of owls who have names like Owle Macpherson and Owlfalfa the day is sure to be entertaining! The staff know how to keep the kids engaged and there are many oportunities for some great photos to remind you day the kids will never forget!

Top 10 holiday parks should always be on your travel list. Their parks are always well equipt with both cabins and camp sites. They also have free WiFi which is almost essential now. The hosts are friendly and know all the best spots you should check out while you're in the area!

Camping or even glamping is a must do this summer! This is the best way to do it especially with kids. With the BB Q area and the kids playground the little ones would be happy, and with the free WiFi the teenagers will be content too.

What could be better than a winter escape, this is such a beautiful B&B who cares if it's raining outside, quite romantic actually! Get away and avoid the winter blues I know it's on my list of things to do this winter!

This great little backpackers is the perfect place to stay if you are passing through. The hosts are friendly locals who know the area well, the accomadation is clean tidy and has a homely feel.

If you are from a big city and would love a real kiwi farm experience this would be perfect! The kids will love seeing all of the animals and you will love the piece and quite of the country! The backpackers is also suitable for large events like family reunions.

This unique business offers a relaxing B&B for relaxing getaways and also a garden nursery where you can buy fantastic herbs and perennials for your own garden! If you are need of a relaxing post-Christmas break that's not too far from home this would be a great choice, or if you are keen to make a sanctuary in your own garden the staff can help you select the perfect plants to make that happen!

If you are looking for camping with a spot of luxury you need to visit this camping spot in Wanganui! Only 10 minutes from the city center this holiday park is complete with sauna, swimming pool, BBQ area, indoor dining room, tv lounge and there is also a beach and playground near by! This is great for families who want to get the camping expierence but still have the comforts of home close by!

A great place for a weekend getaway or an extended holiday, right by the beach and perfect for families. The park is complete with playground, skateboard rink, BBQ complex and swimming pool. A short drive from the center city with accomidation that will fit in with any budget.

About 40 minutes drive from Feilding you will find this great little camping spot. There is a great walking track which is home to many native plants and birds which feels like stepping back in time! With powered and non-powered tent sites along with caravan park sites there is something to suit everyone's comfort level. Clean drinking water, picnic area and kids playground makes it safe, fun and enjoyable for the whole family!

The hosts are friendly and helpful, the backpackers is located within waling distance of town and it is lovely and clean. The room rates are affordable for travelers or families. Wheither you are passing through or planning to stay a while for business or pleasure this is a great affordable option.