Victoria Esplanade Playground

If you’re local to the Manawatū area, you already know Victoria Esplanade Playground is a solid go-to for a full family afternoon out. The zipline tends to be the crowd favourite — kids will queue up for it repeatedly — and the slides keep the younger ones busy while you actually get to sit in the shade for five minutes. Those big trees do a proper job of blocking the sun, which matters when you’re there for a few hours. It’s worth knowing the mini-golf and the ride-on train are right nearby, so you can easily make a whole day of it without spending a fortune.