Try something new these holidays

Sick and tired of taking your kids to the same old places every holidays? Or are you a bit low on cash this year? The Aucklander tracks down a few budget-conscious holiday spots within 90 minutes of Auckland.
Pakiri Beach
Pakiri Beach has cheap cabins available ($25 per night for each adult, and $12 per night for children under 16). You can also get fancier models with kitchens and private bathrooms. For the real camping experience, there are powered sites at $15 per adult. Visit www.pakiriholidaypark.co.nz What to do You can take a glass-bottomed boat to nearby Goat Island Marine Reserve or take a horse ride along the beach. For younger kids there's a playground at the holiday park, or scope out pretty Matakana and Leigh. Location 90 minutes north of Auckland. Take the scenic turnoff through Matakana and Leigh from Warkworth, or take the direct route from Wellsford.
Miranda Hot Springs
Try one of the many hot pools to the south of Auckland. Miranda has a holiday park next door offering campsites for $18 per adult and $9 per child, with access to kitchen, showers, toilet and Sky TV. Lodges are available from $30 per adult. See www.mirandaholidaypark.co.nz What to do Miranda (adults $10, under-14s $7, toddlers $4.50) has the largest hot pool in the Southern Hemisphere. Location 45 minutes southeast of Auckland. Turn off the motorway towards Thames just before Pokeno, then take SH2. The turnoff to Miranda is signposted.
Other hot pools
Waingaro Hot Springs (near Ngaruawahia) Adults $8, children $4 (pools only). Visit www.waingarohotsprings.co.nz Te Aroha Hot Springs (near Matamata) Visit the quaint Edwardian baths (including luxury health spas). www.tearoha-info.co.nz/HolidayPark
Sandspit
Camping costs $13 for adults and $6 for under-13s, with cabins starting at $50 for two people, additional children $8. See www.holidayparks.co.nz/sandspit What to do The holiday park has free canoes and dinghies, a free nine-hole golf course, fishing, safe swimming and bush walks. Location 80 minutes north of Auckland. Turn right at Warkworth, and keep straight on.
Great Barrier Island
Not the cheapest option?ferries start at $184 for one adult and up to three children. Added to the $315 for your car, it's best if you hire transport on the island or bike. There are many camps at $6 a night for adults and $3 for children up to 15, with vehicles an extra $1 per night. Visit www.islands.co.nz/camping/barrier. Find lodges at www.greatbarriernz.com What to do Go for bike rides and enjoy the lack of traffic, walk through the bush to Windy Canyon, visit the Kaitoke Hot Springs or kauri dams, or swim or kayak at the many gorgeous beaches. You can take your dog, but you must keep it on a lead. Getting there It's a two-hour ferry trip from Downtown Auckland to Tryphena, via Sealink, three days a week.
Clarks Beach
One of Greater Auckland's best-kept secrets, but not for much longer. Campsites cost $13 for adults and $6.50 for each child. There are also caravans and cabins starting at $45 per night for two adults, children $10 extra each. What to do There's a gorgeous beach to swim at, plus kayak and dinghy hire, a golf course, indoor pool, minigolf, archery, croquet, fishing You're also not far from Spookers in Kingseat ($35 for two adults and three children), home of chainsaw-wielding madmen, and Little Spookers for little ones. Location 40 minutes south of Auckland. Take the Papakura off-ramp and head through Kingseat, turning right to head towards Clarks Beach.
Huia
A farm park close to the Waitakere Ranges, Barn Paddock campsite costs $10 per adult and $5 per child. There are several other campsites: visit www.arc.govt.nz and look in the Parks menu. What to do Tramp through the bush to the waterfall, have a picnic, admire the animals on the farm or swim at the nearby beaches, Huia, Little Huia or Cornwallis. For an educational experience, go to the Arataki Visitors Centre on Scenic Drive (it's free) or take a tram (adults $10, children $5) or a train (adults $25, children $12) through the Ranges. Location 50 minutes west of downtown Auckland. Take Huia Rd through Titirangi.