PADDLING POOL AT GREY LYNN PARK If you have a pre-schooler, this free pool next to the playground in Grey Lynn park is heaven! Open Monday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm, weather dependent. The pool is monitored by a trained lifeguard throughout the summer. Grosvenor Street (off Williamson Avenue), Grey Lynn. www.aucklandcity.govt.nz PAINT THE EARTH You chose it and you paint it! From mugs to platters go and get creative. Allow a couple of hours to design and paint and 4-5 days to fire. A great way to entertain the children for a few hours. Bookings recommended for weekends and school holidays. 38 William Pickering Drive Albany (Behind Columbus coffee) T: 09 489 1117 www.painttheearth.co.nz PARADICE ICE RINK Fun skating for all ages. School holiday programme includes ice skating and ice hockey lessons. Check out the website for full details. 150 Lansford Crescent, Avondale T: 09 828 3800 www.paradice.co.nz PARAKAI Discover a best kept secret just over 40 minutes from Auckland’s CBD lies Parakai Springs. Large indoor and outdoor pools and two thrilling hydro-slides have been the main attractions for decades. Check out the website for details. 150 Parkhurst Road, Parakai. T: 09 420 8998 www.parakaisprings.co.nz PARNELL BATHS A popular pool with salty water of Olympic size. From its location at the foot of Parnell there are splendid harbour views. The baths are only open seasonally so now’s the time to take the plunge. This summer the SwimMagic Swim School is running at the Parnell Baths from 6 -16 December! Visit the website for details. Judges Bay Road, Parnell T: 09 373 3561 www.clmnz.co.nz POINT CHEVALIER BEACH AND COYLE PARK You really get it all here! A great playground, the park itself and Pt Chevalier beach all in one. You can even exercise your dog off-leash at specific times. 528 Pt Chevalier Road www.aucklandcity.govt.nz POINT ERIN POOLS The whole family can enjoy Point Erin’s outdoor recreation facilities. A large main pool, diving well (with slide and diving boards), spa pool, sauna, basketball and volleyball court, barbecue area and children’s playground are nestled among pohutukawa trees. Cnr Sarsfield St & Shelley Beach Road T: 09 376 6863 www.aucklandcity.govt.nz SHEEPWORLD (still Brigid’s Top Choice!) Sheepworld Farm & Nature Park, presenting all the farm favourites. Sheepworld is fascinating and fun whatever your age, whatever the weather, just 45 minutes north of Auckland Bridge. Shows include sheep and dog and dog and duck! 324 State Highway 1, Warkworth T: 09 425 7444 www.sheepworldfarm.co.nz SKY TOWER At 328m the tallest building in New Zealand and Auckland’s most popular tourist attraction, with an average of 1,450 visitors a day. Spectacular sights from the ultimate viewing level make it a worthwhile visit for any visitor. Corner Federal and Victoria Streets T: 09 363 6422 www.skycityauckland.co.nz SNOWPLANET An easy way to stay cool this summer. This is a unique snow experience, at temperatures well below freezing you better wrap up warm. School holiday programme includes skiing or snowboarding lessons. 91 Small Road, Silverdale T: 09 427 0044 or 0800 SNOWPLANET www.snowplanet.co.nz
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
STARDOME This is New Zealand’s leading astronomical attraction. Stardome delivers an information resource and ‘edutainment’ experience to close to 60,000 people a year, 60% of which are children. Stardome can, through its planetarium, show you the sky at any time day or night, rain or shine. Stardome Observatory’s new 360˚ planetarium show, We Are Astronomers, reveals the collaboration, technology and dedication required to tackle the mysteries of the Universe. Showing during December, bookings are essential. School holiday programme runs from 10 - 28 January 2011. 670 Manukau Rd, One Tree Hill Domain, Royal Oak T: 09 624 1246 www.stardome.org.nz TAKAPUNA A great sandy beach with a new café along by the boat ramp and campsite. The Sunday market is worth a visit. There is a children’s playground by the market site. The Aquatic centre has a great warm small pool for younger children. Worth a day trip over the bridge. TENPIN BOWLING Tenpin Takapuna is a 28 lane up market, total entertainment venue located on the North Shore just ten minutes from Auckland City. An easy way to spend a relaxing few hours in rain or shine. See website for latest offers. 2 Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna T: 09 489 9199 www.tenpintakapuna.co.nz THE LINK BUS The Link will get you to many of Auckland’s top attractions, including Newmarket, the Museum, Parnell, the Britomart Transport Centre, Queen Street, Victoria Park, Ponsonby and K’Road - all for one low fare of $1.80 per ride and running every 10 minutes. For more information about which bus to catch or information about the best fare for you, call or check the website. T: 09 366 6400 www.maxx.co.nz THE LEYS INSTITUTE LIBRARY Hot Summer cool books is an incentive based programme designed to encourage children to develop a love for reading. This is a free and fun programme with some little prizes to be won. Register from 6 December at The Leys or any Auckland Library. 20 St Mary’s Road T: 09 374 1315 www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz TIP TOP ICE CREAM TOURS New Zealand’s largest ice-cream manufacturer. Enjoy a magical tour and experience the wonder of ice-cream production. Oh and the best thing is the sampling of the fine ice-creams. The tours last about an hour and there is also a cool playground. Tours commence January 2011. Fonterra Brands (Tip Top) Ltd, 113 Carbine Road T: 09 573 7269 www.tiptop.co.nz TRAIN This has got to be one of the cheapest activities in Auckland. Take the train! From Kingsland station to Newmarket costs just $1.60 for an adult and .90 for a child guaranteed to delight under five boys and more. www.maxx.co.nz/train.html WAIWERA Auckland’s most visited water destination attracts over 350,000 visitors each year with its naturally hot mineral pools, water slides, picnic & BBQ areas and licensed café. Just 35 minutes drive from Auckland, it is the perfect place to unwind with family and friends. 21 Main Road, Waiwera T: 09 427 8800 www.waiwera.co.nz WESTERN SPRINGS Western Springs Park is a sanctuary for both people and wildlife. It surrounds a natural spring-fed lake, one of Auckland’s early water supplies. Enjoy feeding the ducks and the native orea (eel), which can be seen trailing the swans and ducks. There is a fabulous kids playground with lots of space to run around. 731 Great North Road, Grey Lynn www.aucklandcity.govt.nz
DEADLINE – 20TH OF THE MONTH December 2010 PONSONBY NEWS+
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