Best playgrounds in Hauraki

Pioneer Park, out the front of Hugh Hayward Domain, is Ngatea's playground and community gathering point, flat and open on the plains, with parking, picnic tables and toilets close by. It works better as a practical stop for families passing through the service town than a day trip destination on its own.

Kerepehi Playground has just been rebuilt, opening in June after a design process that included a hui with tamariki at the local school, and is now the district's newest play space. Morgan Park in Waihi leans more sports ground than playground, once known simply as the recreation ground before a 1990s renaming, with football, touch and croquet pitches, a bike track, picnic tables and toilets alongside. Across the district expect flat, open sites with little shade in summer and soft ground after winter rain.