Family Fun

Russell Park

Located in the center of Waipukurau, Russell Park is a great stop for a picnic or to stretch little legs with all the usual playground activities, a flying fox and even a splashpad for the warmer weather.

Central Hawke's Bay Museum

In the heart of Waipawa, Central Hawke’s Bay Museum is a treasure trove of history. Take a step into the everyday life of early settlers with fun interactive exhibits for the whole family to enjoy. The Museum is FREE to enter and open 7 days from 10-4pm.

Tukituki Trails & Mountain Bike Park

Throw the bikes in the boot and head out along the Tukituki Trails, featuring a swing bridge stretching across the Tukituki River, a great easy mountain biking track for the more adventurous families and well maintained limestone tracks for walking and cycling.

Te Angiangi Marine Reserve

Pack the snorkels, buckets and spades and head out to Blackhead Beach to explore the Rock pools and play in the sand. Low tide is best time to enjoy an abundance of Marine life! Read more

The Paper Mulberry

Need to Grab a bite with the kids? The Paper Mulberry Café in Pukehou is a great Family-Friendly stop with a delicious menu and a Playground for the kids, not to mention a spot of shopping for mum and dad.

Hatuma Cafe

Hatuma Cafe on the way out of Waipukurau heading south is another great family-friendly cafe with a large outdoor area and playground.

Waipawa Spring Festival Duck Day

This is a long-standing institution in the Central Hawke’s Bay event calendar and is an absolute must do.

Market stalls, food and live entertainment kicks off at 9am with the day culminating in Hawke’s Bay’s only duck race.
This Central Hawke’s Bay Spring Fling institution sees Waipawa come alive as the yellow ducks chase each other down the river, and visitors and locals alike celebrate the new season under a canopy of cherry blossoms.
The feature event of the Waipawa Spring Festival, The Duck Race has more than 1500 duck tickets available, which can purchased from local retailers in Waipukurau and Waipawa.
Bring the family for some fun, delicious food and entertainment with stalls and games appealing to all ages, and watch the hilarious, and at times highly-competitive, annual duck race.