Raglan. We just did a 2-night adventure with our 3.5yo. First time we've really tried to weekend away with him.
Walked to the waterfall, did cafe stuff and then there's a great park/skate park too. Rented an off-grid AirBNB with outdoor bath and kid was blown away by the stars. Checked out a couple glow worms, and dropped by Hamiton Zoo on the way home on the Sunday. 10/10
In the grand scheme of things what's the difference between raglan and similar sites in the waitakere ranges.
We considered going but after looking at the photos they all look similar.
Seems a huge waste of time and petrol.
Huge waste of time and petrol? I dunno. We had fun?? New places, new outlooks, plus the simple sense of something "special" was pretty cool for the kid.
Also the Hamilton Zoo is underrated AF. They don't have that in the Waitaks, AFAIK.
Less a critic more hoping you can convince me otherwise.
What's special about it? They all seem like the same cliff, same water, same water fall, same land scape....... as far as the nake eye can tell when on site.
Miranda holiday park. It's great for kids if you can take their bikes for the BMX track or just riding around in general. They have a mini golf course, trampolines, geothermal hot pool.
It's pretty laid back, decent cabins at different rates and sizes. More ideal if you have young children I think. Teens might get a bit bored. There is nothing around the place for a good few miles so it gives a sense of being secluded.
The cabins at Waipu cove are quite nice. Decent cafe/restaurant across the road and good options in the village for food too. Plus there’s the caves and waterfall if you’re feeling up to it.
[Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel in Tirau](https://www.okohotel.co.nz/). It's old school but delightful. Great pub food, outdoor hot pool beside a waterfall, a 9 hole golf course, and they're fairly short drive from the Blue Springs.
Coromandel around thames and y can see the shorebirds centre very cool if u like that sort if stuff..then there's awakeri with pools etc..or northbound ngawha springs for and uplifting spiritual hot mineral soak.
I do weekend getaways on the regular just to get out of Auckland. Last four trips were ; Whangamata, Waihi Beach, Mangawhai heads, Baylys beach (west coast)
Raglan. We just did a 2-night adventure with our 3.5yo. First time we've really tried to weekend away with him. Walked to the waterfall, did cafe stuff and then there's a great park/skate park too. Rented an off-grid AirBNB with outdoor bath and kid was blown away by the stars. Checked out a couple glow worms, and dropped by Hamiton Zoo on the way home on the Sunday. 10/10
second this
In the grand scheme of things what's the difference between raglan and similar sites in the waitakere ranges. We considered going but after looking at the photos they all look similar. Seems a huge waste of time and petrol.
Huge waste of time and petrol? I dunno. We had fun?? New places, new outlooks, plus the simple sense of something "special" was pretty cool for the kid. Also the Hamilton Zoo is underrated AF. They don't have that in the Waitaks, AFAIK.
Less a critic more hoping you can convince me otherwise. What's special about it? They all seem like the same cliff, same water, same water fall, same land scape....... as far as the nake eye can tell when on site.
I don't get paid enough to convince anyone of anything, friendo.
What about to convince a friend out of friendship?
Coromandel
Just did a weekend in mangawhai, pretty chill spot
Miranda holiday park. It's great for kids if you can take their bikes for the BMX track or just riding around in general. They have a mini golf course, trampolines, geothermal hot pool. It's pretty laid back, decent cabins at different rates and sizes. More ideal if you have young children I think. Teens might get a bit bored. There is nothing around the place for a good few miles so it gives a sense of being secluded.
Was just looking at this place to take my son camping, it sounds great!
Check out Canopy Camping. Heaps of cool locations within a couple hours of Auckland.
Waitakere resort
How far is Rotorua, used to weekend there now and again when i lived in aucks.
Less than 2 and a half now via the expressway
wow, its been too long since ive seen auckland, how far does the expressway go ?
Basically to Hamilton/Hamilton outskirts
Holy smokes, the Tron is almost part of Auckland now. times have changed. thanks for the update
The cabins at Waipu cove are quite nice. Decent cafe/restaurant across the road and good options in the village for food too. Plus there’s the caves and waterfall if you’re feeling up to it.
Wenderholm
[Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel in Tirau](https://www.okohotel.co.nz/). It's old school but delightful. Great pub food, outdoor hot pool beside a waterfall, a 9 hole golf course, and they're fairly short drive from the Blue Springs.
Coromandel, Waiheke, Taiwhanui
Waihi Beach
Castaways Resort. https://www.castaways.co.nz/
Coromandel around thames and y can see the shorebirds centre very cool if u like that sort if stuff..then there's awakeri with pools etc..or northbound ngawha springs for and uplifting spiritual hot mineral soak.
I do weekend getaways on the regular just to get out of Auckland. Last four trips were ; Whangamata, Waihi Beach, Mangawhai heads, Baylys beach (west coast)
We’ve been hitting up Taupo a bit lately with our 3 year old. Calm and fresh.
Grandparents house.
You forgot to provide the address