Today, the Rotorua Daily Post shares its favourite picnic spots in the region.
Government Gardens: With the iconic Rotorua Museum standing proudly in the background, the luscious Government Gardens is a perfect place to park your picnic basket and bask in the sunshine. After enjoying a sandwich or two, you cantake a stroll around the Klamath Falls Rose Gardens, the band rotunda, Te Runanga Tea House and the Blue Baths.
Rotorua Lakefront Rotorua's lakefront features barbecues, picnic tables and other areas perfect for family picnics. The reserve covers almost eight hectares and, like the Government Gardens, is one of the reserves gifted by Ngati Whakaue. Find a quiet spot to watch the float planes and helicopters take off, and if the children get tired of sitting, the Volcanic Playground is a source of endless entertainment.
Kuirau Park playground. Photo/file
Kuirau Park: A geothermal sweet spot, Kuirau Park boasts beautiful gardens, a crater lake, mud pools, hot springs, thermal foot baths, barbecues and picnic tables and a playground. Whether you're grabbing a bite from the Saturday morning market or have packed your own, Kuirau Park is a top picnic spot, and with recent work to upgrade the area, the park has never looked better.
Te Manawa The newly revamped Te Manawa (formerly City Focus) has plenty of grassy areas and wooden seats to park up on and people watch. Grab some lunch from one of the many eateries in the CBD and enjoy the bustle of the summer holidays.
Hannah's Bay The reserve sits on the shores of Lake Rotorua just behind the Rotorua Airport and is surrounded by the revitalising kahikatea forest. With large open spaces, a mobility playground and dog exercise areas, this reserve offers something for everyone. Pack a ball, some lunch and the sunscreen - you can easily spend a whole day here.
