With the summer holidays well and truly here, day trips are a great way to keep
the family entertained. Astrid Austin looks at five ways to spend a day out.
1 Shine Falls
The 58m waterfall is situated on the Boundary Stream.
It is a one-and-a-half hour drive from Napier to a car park on Heays Access Rd, Putorino, before enduring a further one-and-a-half hour return walk on Shine Falls track, leading to the base of the waterfall.
The track winds through the farmland and beneath sandstone bluffs, before entering the reserve.
The mixed lowland forest includes kanuka, kawakawa, kowhai and titoki, with Kaka beak grows on the cliffs.
Before reaching the waterfall, the track crosses Boundary Stream.
There is a picnic table near the waterfall for people to sit and rest while taking in the beauty of one of Hawke's Bay's most spectacular waterfalls.
If it is a warm day, people can choose to enjoy a swim in the waterfall.
For more information visit: http://waterfalls.co.nz/waterfalls-by-region/83-new-zealand-waterfalls/north-island/hawkesbay/210-shine-falls
2 Sunrise Hut Track
Sunrise Hut Track is particularly popular within the Eastern Ruahine Forest Park.
It is a long trip to make for a day, being about 100km from Napier to North Block Road, but if you start early it should be fine..
Follow State Highway 50 for 66 km and turn right into Wakarara Rd for 20km, before turning left into North Block Rd. Once at the end of North Block Rd, visitors have a 2-3 hour walk to Sunrise Hut, where they can take in the scenic views of the Hawke's Bay plains and if at the right time, excellent sunrise.
At the hut, there is a 30-minute walk up to the sub-alpine herbfields at Armstrong Saddle, where Mt Ruapehu can be seen on a nice day. It is highly advised to bring plenty of water and food.
Upon returning to the car park, other tracks are available.
Although this can be a day trip, people can stay at Sunrise Hut for the night.
The hut has 20 bunks, heating and mattresses available.
It is $15 for adults and $7.50 for youth.
For more information, visit: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/hawkes-bay/hawkes-bay/sunrise-track/ and http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/backcountry-huts-by-region/hawkes-bay/hawkes-bay/sunrise-hut/
3 Waipatiki Beach
At just 40 minutes away from Napier, Waipatiki Beach is a scenic settlement with native bush and a broad stretch of sand and coastline.
Near the beach is a picnic area, toilets and a camping ground for people who want to extend their day trip.
For more information, visit: http://www.hawkesbaynz.com/index.php/see-do/day-trips-and-tours/waipatiki-beach
4 Maraetotara Falls
Roughly 40 minutes' drive from Napier, Maraetotara Falls is 15m high.
Visitors can park their car on Maraetotara Rd, before taking an easy 10-minute walk along the Maraetotara Historic Walk which leads to the falls base.
People are welcome to take a dip in the swimming hole at the base of the waterfall.
For more information, visit: http://waterfalls.co.nz/waterfalls-by-region/north-island/83-new-zealand-waterfalls/north-island/hawkesbay/207-maraetotara-falls
5 Taupo
Napier to Taupo is about one hour and 45 minutes' drive, making it a perfect day trip for the whole family.
Situated on the shore of Lake Taupo in the centre of the North Island, it offers a wide range of activities for people of all ages to enjoy. Visitors can swim in the lake, visit Huka Falls, or shop in the village, among many other things.
For more more information, visit: http://www.greatlaketaupo.com/