What to do on the North Shore this Easter weekend.

So you have a four-day weekend and you’ve decided to hang around the North Shore for Easter, I mean who wouldn’t, the North Shore is such a great place to live! We have made things easy for you this long weekend by creating a list of amazing activities for kids and adults.

For the kids:

1. JUMP – located in Mairangi Bay, JUMP is a spring loaded urban playground – basically an indoor trampoline park. Made up of thousands of square meters of interlocking trampolines, a 20ft foam pit, trampoline dodge ball and a basketball hoop for extreme dunking. A perfect place to get the kiddies along to burn off some of their energy from all the Easter bunny’s chocolate.

2. Snowplanet – located in Silverdale, Snowplanet is an indoor snow recreation center. For those learning, it features a beginner’s ski slope, and those a little more experienced a 200m full terrain park. And for those who are not so keen on hitting the slopes there is snow tubing plus a restaurant and café.

3. Gloputt Minigolf – Located in Takapuna, Gloputt is Auckland’s first glow in the dark mini golf course. With a 16-hole custom designed course that includes foliage, pathways, buildings and much more. The illuminated, technicolor course really is a memorable and unique outing for all.

4. Silverdale Adventure park – Located in Silverdale, the Adventure Park has over nine rides ranging from moderate thrill to those extreme thrill seekers. A downhill luge, dual zipline, vertical bungee, tube slide and much more. Get the children along for all the excitement, breathtaking views and fun the Silverdale Adventure Park has to offer.

5. Paint The Earth – Located in Rosedale, Paint The Earth creates handmade ceramic pieces for your kids to paint. Choose your piece, paint it, leave it for the professionals to glaze and fire and its ready to go. Your child’s hand and foot prints as a keepsake or gift to the grandparents, platters, trinket boxes and more. Added bonus, no artistic talent is needed… at all (*only open Saturday of Easter weekend).

 6. Xtreme Entertainment – Located in Wairau, Xtreme Entertainment has it all – tenpin bowling, megazone lazer tag, timezone games area and kidzone – do I need to say more?

For the whole Family

1. Walk the Te Ara Tahuna Estuary – Located in Orewa, and only a short walk from the beach, the 7.6km track makes for a great day out with the family. The route offers a variety of environments, from park areas, estuary’s, beaches, bush trails and quiet residential areas. With the whole track being mostly flat and sealed, it’s a great place for the kiddies to get out and ride their bikes, take a picnic and spend the day exploring Orewa.

2. Beaches – Visit our blog about the best little beaches to visit on the North Shore this weekend. https://www.cooperandco.co.nz/north-shores-best-little-beaches/

 3. Long Bay Regional Park –Long Bay Regional Park is thriving with activities for the whole family to do. From cliff top walks, sunbathing on the golden sand beaches, swimming in the calm and shallow waters, to a great adventure playground for the kids. Pack the backyard cricket set, a good old Frisbee or rugby ball, a picnic blanket and some sausages for the free for public use BBQ areas, take the family and spend the day away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Plus, don’t forget to get a picture of the family in one of the many infamous golden frames to remember the fantastic day.

 4. Coatesville Market –From hand made goods, to freshly backed treats, wood carved sculptures, homemade New Zealand clothes, to local craft beers and wine and many fantastic food trucks and stalls, the Coatesville market has something for those of all ages. It is well worth the drive out to the country for the live music and great atmosphere. Open Sunday 1^st April 10am – 2pm, take the family along for a great day out.

 5. Catch the ferry from Devonport to the City – With the city being only a 12-minute ferry ride from Devonport it is perfect for a half day adventure with the family. Pack a picnic and sit under the old silos in silo park, or head out to one of the many restaurants around the Viaduct or Wynyard Quarter for some delicious food and drinks.

6. Find your sweet tooth or head out for brunch – Takapuna Beach Café, Little King Café, Black Cottage, Little and Friday Café, Scout, Jam Organic Café – these cafés are open all Easter weekend on the North Shore. Head out for brunch or enjoy a sweet treat, plus if your children LOVE cats, head along to The Cat Café in Glenfield – comfy couches, sweet treats and the home to some cuddly and friendly rescued cats and kittens (*Closed Mondays).

7. North Head Historic Reserve – Located in Devonport, the North Head Historic Reserve is filled with gun emplacements, bunkers, shelters and military tunnels. Originally built as a defense force, the defense port was built to protect Auckland from a feared Russian Invasion in 1800’s. Take the kids along for a day of exploring through the old war tunnels, getting them to learn about the history of North Shore on the way. Don’t forget your torch to make the most of the adventure.

8. Movies in the Park – Thursday 29^th March, at 7.20pm Beauty and The Beast (2017) will be playing in Milford Reserve, Craig Road, Milford. Or, Friday 30^th March at 7.20pm, Paddington 2 will be playing at Harvey Wright Sportsfield, Birkenhead Memorial Park, Recreation Drive, Birkenhead. Head along and secure your spot to watch these movies on the big screen in some amazing North Shore parks.

For the adults:

1. Takapuna Golf Course – The Takapuna golf course, is a full 18-hole course. You can play the full 18-hole course, 9 hole course, or if you feel like just going and smacking some golf balls around there is a 220 meter, two story driving range offering 48 covered bays. Be sure to book your slot in before you go though, as this is one of the most played golf courses in all of Auckland.

2. North Head Devonport– Yes the North Head tunnels are great for kids to explore, however another option is to pack a picnic and maybe a bottle of wine and head there in the evening to watch the stunning sunset over Auckland City. But don’t forget, daylight savings ends this Sunday the 1^st of April, so sunset time is 7.18pm on Easter Friday.

3. Hallertau – Located in Riverhead, Hallertau Brewery and Restaurants is one of New Zealand’s finest craft beer and local dining spots. Being home to over a dozen of their own hand made craft beers and a restaurant with exquisite dining, Hallertau is a destination not to be looked past this long weekend. Also, see what goes on behind the scenes with a brewery tour and tasting (*Not open good Friday).

4. Auckland Night Market – Located in the car park underneath Glenfield mall, the night market runs every Sunday from 5.30pm – 11pm, with a large variety of food, fashion, toys, live music, buskers, magicians and dance troupes. There is an amazing atmosphere with all ages and ethnicity’s meeting together to share some fun.

5. Hoyts Gold Class Movies – The Gold Class movies are a truly unique and luxurious way to enjoy the movies. Reclining armchairs, waiter services and a delicious food and beverage selection. Take that special someone along, or head there with the guys or gals for a relaxing, yet lavish evening.

6. Puhoi Pub Hotel and Stables – Established in 1879, is one of the last historical pubs left in the Southern hemisphere. How lucky are we that its only 20 minute drive from Albany.  Head along and enjoy the exceptional bistro menu, or a glass of your favorite drink and take in the historic surroundings and atmosphere.

7. The Hunting Lodge Winery and Restaurant – Located in Waimauku, The Hunting Lodge is a 80 arce estate with a restaurant in the property’s historical villa, a cafe, a cellar door and a family zone complete with giant jenga and petanque. The Hunting Lodge has its doors open this Easter weekend (*closed good Friday only) for you and the family to head along and experience their exquisite estate.

If you don’t mind the short drive into the city from the North Shore, then here is a few more activities that might be of interest this Easter weekend.

1. Royal Easter Show – Since it’s Easter you can’t go past taking the family to the Royal Easter Show, located at the ASB showgrounds in Greenlane, from the 29^th March until the 2nd April.  With a huge line up of activities ranging from circus acts, carnival rides, strong man challenge, live music from some of New Zealand’s top performers, fireworks, an A&P show and much, much more. The Royal Easter Show will provide a great day trip from the North Shore that those of all ages are able to enjoy.

2. Giapo –  This Easter Giapo have created a Hot Cross Bun ice cream. Yes you read that correctly, a waffle cone topped with a warm sweet and spicy hot cross bun then filled with any ice cream of your choice – YUM!!

3. Grand Mercure Auckland -Easter Sunday Brunch – This Sunday 1st April from 11.30am – 2pm, The Grande Mercure is helping you celebrate Easter. With a glass of bubbles on arrival, an Easter brunch, and a special visit from the Easter bunny, all whilst looking over the breathtaking views of Auckland City.

4. Silo Park – The Lion King – Bring out your inner child this Easter weekend. Head along to Silo Park this Friday 30th March to enjoy food trucks, a sundowner or two, and THE Disney film of all Disney films – The Lion King. The movie will commence at 9pm on the corner of Beaumont and Jellicoe Street in Silo Park. Bring along a comfy picnic blanket and be sure to get there early, you wont want to miss out on an enjoyable evening with Simba, Timon, Pumbaa and friends.

Plus to make it even easier for you, we have double-checked and all of these will be open over the long weekend (*Subject to those mentioned with closure dates or on specific dates).

And if worse comes to worst, just relax at home with friends and family and indulge in too many hot cross buns and Easter eggs.

Happy Easter from all of us here at Cooper & Co.