When was the last time you took the family out for a good old fashioned road trip? We’ve planned a quick getaway involving three key elements that make every short holiday better: fun, fresh air, and food!
Auckland
Fun: The whole family will enjoy a visit to Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium, a place where everybody can learn more about the mysterious creatures that inhabit our seas and oceans. We love the Penguin Discovery Exhibit, which gives you the chance to get up close and personal with the fluffy feathered friends of the aquarium!
Fresh Air: The ideal spot for a family picnic, Auckland’s Wintergardens are filled with towering trees and beautiful flowerbeds, making them the perfect setting to stop for lunch while the kids explore. Make sure you check out the greenhouses that are home to a host of exotic plants.
Food: Begin your day with a fresh bagel from Best Ugly, a charming place offering a delicious combination of flavours, from your classic cream cheese, to the more daring Chickaboom!
Tip: For those with a sweet tooth, try the new chocolate bagel!
Auckland to Hamilton
Fun: If vintage cars and memorabilia are your thing, the Classics Museum is definitely the place to visit. Filled with a large collection of vehicles (including the extremely rare 1937 Bugatti Atlantic) that have been restored from their previous life, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported back in time.
Fresh air: Pining to reconnect with nature? Hamilton Gardens showcases a range of botanical settings, acknowledging all types of cultures from traditional Indian gardens, to modern day Chinese gardens. The stunning sights and smells of these blossoming beauties have something for everyone; quite a contrast from the former city rubbish dump of the 1960s!
Food: A fresh twist on authentic Asian cuisine, Madam Woo offers a selection of exquisite dishes that draws inspiration from Malaysian hawker food, aiming to tantalise all tastebuds. The Woo Family Favourites menu features sweet, sour and spicy dishes, including the famous “Lamb Madras Curry”.
You’ll want a place to rest after exploring Hamilton – here are a couple of accommodation options for you to consider!
Hamilton to Tauranga
Fun: Explore and engage with a selection of finest historical and contemporary art at the Tauranga Art Gallery. The gallery showcases art from regional to international artists working in a range of media. Various education and visitor programmes are also offered to visitors looking to enhance their experience.
Fresh air: Maunganui Beach is a slice of paradise waiting to be discovered, perfectly situated between the hustle and bustle of the Tauranga city scape. Dip your toes in the clear blue sea and relax on the soft white sandy plains at one of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches.
Food: For a genuine Mexican dining experience, we recommend heading over to The Barrio Brothers, where the tacos are crunchy and the hot sauces are… hot! Kids will enjoy the quesadilla platters, while your wallet will enjoy Sunday’s ‘Nino Night’ – $5 kids meals!
Organise Your Trip: NSW School Holidays | VIC School Holidays | School Holidays QLD | SA School Holidays | NZ School Holidays
