Keeping the kids entertained

KAREN GOA finds 10 top attractions for toddlers to teens in Hawkes Bay

Planning a visit to Hawkes Bay for an art deco tour or a wine and food festival but don't know what to do with the offspring? Napier's Marine Parade - styled as a seaside family summer place after the 1931 earthquake - is the main place to be, but there's lots more to do nearby.

1. NATIONAL AQUARIUM OF NEW ZEALAND

Revamped into a svelte stingray shape the new-look aquarium shows off New Zealand's largest range of marine life and native species. See divers feed the fish, hop on the travelator and watch sharks and stingrays swimming overhead in the oceanarium, visit Nemo the Clownfish's younger relation.

For a night away from your brood, book them into a Piranhas in Pyjamas sleepover.

Adults $12, children (up to 14 years) $6, family concessions available. Open 7 days. Fish feeding times 10am and 2pm.

100 Marine Parade. Ph 06 834 1404; email info@nationalaquarium.co.nz; website National Aquarium

2. MARINELAND

New Zealand's only marine zoo and wildlife centre. Swim with dolphins, visit the Penguin Recovery Workshop and take a Behind the Scenes or Touch and Feed the Dolphins tour.

Entry and show: adults $9, children $5, family pass available. Tours extra. Open 7 days, shows at 10. 30am and 2pm.

290 Marine Parade. Ph 06 834 4027; email
info@marineland.co.nz; website marineland.co.nz


3. SEASIDE PLAYGROUND/SKB ZONE SKATEBOARD BOWL/TOM PARKER ILLUMINATED FOUNTAIN SWINGS

Lots of activities for the small fry, skateboard bowl and jumps down the road for the older ones. Pretty coloured lights play on the waterfront fountain for everyone at dusk. Playground and fountain free.

Marine Parade. SKB Zone: ph 06 835 6003 for opening hours and admission fees.

4. PAR 2 GOLF

Play either or both of the 18-hole games - Caddy's Trail putt-putt or Fairways - in seaside garden settings. All equipment provided, free tutor available.

Adults $7 per 18-hole game, children up to 11 years $4. Open 7 days.

Marine Parade, next to I-SITE Visitor Information Centre. Ph 06 834 0248; website Par2golf

5. OCEAN SPA

Opened only a year ago on the site of the original 1900s Hot Sea Water Baths, this thermal complex has deep to shallow pools and a toddler's pool. Spacious and family-friendly changing rooms and onsite cafe with children's options. Lifeguard on duty.

Adults $6, children 2-14 years $4, under 2s free. Open 7 days.

42 Marine Parade. Ph 06 835 8553; email napier@h2omanagement.co.nz; website Ocean Spa

6. KIWI ADVENTURE COMPANY

For those rare rainy Hawkes Bay days gear up for an indoor rock climb. There are up to 50 climbs on offer and a bouldering room for the littlies.

Adults (12 years and over) $15, children 6-12 years $12, under 6 years $6. Climbing gear extra. Closed Mondays, phone for opening times Tuesday-Sunday.

58 West Quay, Ahuriri. Ph 06 834 3500; email info@kiwiadventureco.co.nz

7. JUNGLE JUNCTION

This multilevel indoor playland suits children up to 10 years with its bouncy castles, soft-toy area and ride-on tractors.

Adults and children under 12 months free, children 3-10 years $7, children 12 - 35 months $5. Open 6 days (closed Mondays except during school holidays).

Cnr Bridge & Waghorne Streets, Ahuriri. Ph 06 833 7077; email junglejunction@actrix.co.nz; website Hawkes Bay NZ

8. SEAHORSE FARM

See thousands of baby and adult seahorses entwining their tails, tanks of fierce paddle crabs, and Tonka the cantankerous 100-year-old rock lobster.

Adults $9, children $5, family pass available. Open 7 days, tours at 10am, 1pm and 3pm (no 10am tour Sundays).

Main Road Awatoto (6km south of Napier). Ph 06 834 0998; email info@theseahorsefarm.co.nz; website The Sea Horse Farm

9. SPLASH PLANET

Fifteen minutes down the road from Napier are lots of wet and dry rides for children - Bumper Boats, Pirate Fortress, Double Dipper. Cafe for worn-out parents.

Day pass adults $25, children 2-15 years $19.50, under 2s free. Open 7 days, closed during winter.

Grove Road, Hastings. Ph 0508 SPLASH (775 274) or 06 876 9856; email info@splashplanet.co.nz; website Splash Planet

10. RUSH MUNRO'S ICE CREAM GARDENS

New Zealand's oldest ice cream parlour is set in cute gardens in Hastings. Choose from more than 28 natural flavours.

Open 7 days. 704 Heretaunga Street East, Hastings. Ph 06 878 9634. WebsiteHawkes Bay NZ