The Margaret Mahy Family Playground

Honestly, this place is a bit of a local institution — right in the heart of the city and genuinely worth the trip even if you’re coming from out of town. The zipline and big slides are the obvious drawcards, but the water play area is where the little ones tend to disappear for an hour without you noticing. There’s a sandpit, climbing structure, swings, BBQ spots, and usually a food truck or two parked nearby, so you can actually settle in for a proper afternoon rather than just a quick stop. Works for a wide age range too — my two-year-old and her older cousins have both been kept busy here at the same time, which doesn’t happen often.