Kaiiwi lakes Playground

Right next to one of Northland’s best-kept secrets, this little playground sits just steps from Kaiiwi Lakes — those impossibly clear freshwater lakes with the white sand shores that look like something out of a postcard. The sandbox keeps the younger kids busy while parents actually get to sit down in the shade, which honestly makes a huge difference on a hot summer day. It’s pretty spacious, so there’s room to spread out without feeling on top of other families. Most people combine it with a swim in the lake or a night or two at the campground, and it’s genuinely one of those spots that works well for kids anywhere from toddlers up to about twelve.