Close to Home: Much to enjoy

The Kawakawa steam train. Photo / Northern Advocate

Walking weekend
The Mangawhai Walking Weekend runs March 26-29, and offers a selection of guided, graded walks, with each walk following a theme such as art, food, history or conservation. Bookings are essential as numbers are limited.

Contact: (09) 431 5096
On the web: mangawhaiwalkingweekend.co.nz

Steam train ride
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during March, you can take a trip through the middle of Kawakawa on a steam train. The 3km trip takes about 30 minutes and departs from the Kawakawa Station at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. Fares are $8 (adults), $3 (children).

Contact: 021 171 2697
On the web: bayofislandsvintagerailway.org.nz

Go off-road
Take in the spectacular scenery at the northern end of the Coromandel Peninsula during the Kona Colville Connection mountain bike adventure on March 14. The event offers experienced riders a challenging off-road course, plus a 24km Jungle Safari for recreational riders.

Contact: 021 648 085
On the web: colvilleconnection.co.nz

Arts in Rotorua
Te Ihi Te Wehi, the Rotorua Festival of Arts, provides an eclectic mix of music, performing arts and visual arts. It runs March 6-20 and includes many free events.

Contact: (07) 348 9134
On the web: rotoruaartsfestival.co.nz

A lot of hot air
The skies over Wairarapa will be studded with gigantic hot-air balloons during Balloons over Wairarapa, March 20-23.

Contact: (06) 377 1572
On the web: nzballoons.co.nz

Down in the garden
The Hamilton Gardens are the setting for the Summer Festival, featuring theatre, cabaret, family events, a programme for readers and writers, film, culinary arts, opera, classical concerts and more, on February 20 to March 1.

Contact: (07) 838 6782
On the web: hamiltongardens.co.nz