Easter is the perfect time to head to one of our beautiful parks or reserves and enjoy the golden autumn weather, or if it’s raining head to the Auckland War Memorial Museum where an egg hunt awaits! Check out these Easter activities that will entertain the whole whānau.
Feed donkeys at Highfield Garden Reserve
Easter is all about fluffy baby chickens, bouncing bunnies and – if you head to this picturesque park – adorable donkeys! The kids will love acquainting themselves with the charming drove of donkeys at Highfield Garden Reserve in Mahurangi. The reserve is situated between Snells Beach and Algies Bay, and has stunning views across to Kawau Island.
Feed the donkeys (BYO apples, carrots or silver beet), then once you’ve had your fill of cuteness, explore the paths through the reserve or have an al fresco feast at one of the picnic tables. There are also some steps down through the bush to Algies Bay if you feel like adding a beach walk as well, but note that it’s not suitable for pushchairs.
Go on an Easter egg hunt at Auckland War Memorial Museum
The Auckland War Memorial Museum is like something from a picture book with its neoclassical architecture, stained glass windows and dinosaur skeletons. You can marvel at ancient ocean-going waka, check out the Spitfire plane and learn about New Zealanders who served their country, or get hands-on in the Weird and Wonderful gallery using microscopes and exploring the natural science collections.
This Easter tamariki can also take part in an egg-citing egg hunt. Collect a list of rhyming clues from Te Ao Mārama South Atrium and use them to find beautifully decorated eggs in the galleries. Each egg contains a special letter you’ll need to complete the trail. Once you’ve completed your entry, you can put it into the special box to go into the draw to win an egg-stravagant chocolate hamper, which the museum warns will delight children but alarm parents.
Head to Auckland War Memorial Museum this Easter weekend for an egg-citing egg hunt!
Discover Duder Regional Park
If you’ve never explored the stunning Whakakaiwhara Peninsula, then you’re in for a treat. Just 50km from the central city, an excursion to Duder Regional Park will take you through rolling green countryside and the pretty beachside suburb of Maraetai.
The peninsula offers 360-degree views of the surrounding hills, Hunua Ranges and the islands of Tīkapa Moana / Hauraki Gulf. Much of the regional park is pasture, with pockets of regenerating native bush, and the tidal waters are home to many wading and rare shorebirds including the endangered tūturiwhatu (New Zealand dotterel).
There are a range of walking tracks of different lengths to choose from. The one-hour Whakakaiwhara Pā Walk is the shortest but its also the furthest from the car park and only accessible off the farm walk. The walk takes you to a Māori pā site traversing the remains of a defensive ditch. The Farm Loop takes two hours to walk, or 40 minutes to cycle.
There’s also an orienteering course. Maps and helpful information can be downloaded from Auckland Council’s website, so make sure you print these out before you leave home (or download them onto your phone). You’ll also want a pen so you can check off the markers as you go, and a chocolate egg or two to keep everyone’s energy levels up.
Walk,cycle or orienteer your way through Duder Regional Park.
