Main Street Playground

If you’re passing through Katikati on SH2, this little spot is worth pulling over for. It’s tucked just off the main drag so it’s quieter than you’d expect — genuinely good for spreading out a picnic lunch without the traffic noise ruining it. The toilets are right there and actually clean, which matters more than people admit when you’re mid-road trip with kids. Suits toddlers through to primary school age, and the whole place is kept tidy enough that you’re not side-eyeing the ground before you let the little ones loose.