Top Family-Friendly Picnic Spots

From golden beaches to riverside reserves and forest clearings, Hauraki Coromandel is full of scenic places to roll out a blanket and relax. Whether you're after sea views, bird song, or somewhere for the kids to run free, there's a picnic spot waiting for you.

Waiomu Kauri Grove (Thames Coast)

A shady bush walk leads you beside a stream and up to towering kauri. An easy, beautiful escape into nature.

Why it’s great for families:

• Flat, easy track for all ages

• Shallow stream for safe water play

• Plenty of shade and birdsong

What else to do: Spot freshwater eels, look out for native birds, and bring gumboots for stream-hopping.

Morrison Road Wetland Reserve (near Tairua)

This quiet wetland walk offers peaceful family time, with boardwalks, birds and space to roam.

Why it’s great for families:

• Stroller-friendly flat paths

• Lots of birds for curious kids to spot

• Calm, peaceful vibe away from crowds

What else to do: Combine with a beach stop at Tairua or a climb up Paku Hill afterwards for a treat.

New Chum Beach (Wainuiototo Bay)

Reachable only by foot, this wild and undeveloped beach rewards the effort with stunning beauty and space to explore.

Why it’s great for families:

• Feels like a secret adventure

• Gentle surf 

• Space to run, dig and roam freely

What else to do: Do the short but steep climb to the lookout, or bring a nature bingo sheet for beachcombing.

Oamaru Bay (Coromandel Town area)

A peaceful, safe bay just north of Coromandel Town with calm waters and a large grassy area.

Why it’s great for families:

• Safe swimming and flat foreshore (no lifeguards)

• Shade, tables and BBQs

• Easy parking and access

What else to do: Bring kayaks or paddleboards, fish off the rocks, or wander the shoreline collecting shells.

Opoutere Beach & Estuary

A forest-framed beach with dunes, bush and a calm estuary perfect for paddling.

Why it’s great for families:

• Forest trail adds a sense of adventure

• Calm estuary

• Wide beach great for games

What else to do: Bodyboard in the surf or spot dotterels and other coastal birds, but don't disturb them.

Thames Coast Beaches (e.g. Te Puru, Waiomu, Tapu)

Peppered with sleepy coastal settlements, the Thames Coast offers great low-key picnic spots with river access and reserves.

Why it’s great for families:

• Quiet, pebbly beaches with shallow entry

• Public BBQs, picnic tables, and shade

• Great base for beachcombing or biking

What else to do: Combine with a bush walk or visit nearby Rapaura Watergardens. Grab fish and chips in Thames on the way home.

Broken Hills Campsite (Hikuai)

Nestled in native bush beside a river, this DOC site is a perfect picnic-and-play area, even if you’re not camping.

Why it’s great for families:

• Swim or splash in the river

• Plenty of flat space for games

• History and mining relics to explore

What else to do: Walk the short loop trail or grab torches for the gold-mining tunnels.

Karangahake Gorge (near Paeroa)

A magical place where history and natural beauty combine, perfect for a riverside picnic with a side of gold rush adventure.

Why it’s great for families:

• Easy walks, tunnels, and bridges

• Shady picnic areas by the river

• Safe spots to dip your toes

What else to do: Bike the Hauraki Rail Trail, do the Windows Walk, and explore old mining tunnels.

Shelly Beach (Coromandel Harbour)

A calm bay with rock pools, shell-hunting, and safe swimming, ideal for young beachgoers.

Why it’s great for families:

• Great paddling

• Rockpools full of sea creatures

• Picnic tables and shaded areas

What else to do: Stay at the nearby holiday park, explore the rocky edges at low tide, or kayak the calm harbour.

Long Bay & Tucks Bay (Coromandel Town)

Just minutes from Coromandel Town, Long Bay is a laid-back picnic spot with easy access, while Tucks Bay offers more seclusion via a short walk.

Why it’s great for families:

• Great swimming and big grass areas

• Easy walk between two beaches

• Wildlife, shade and space

What else to do: Walk the short track to Tucks Bay, swim, or spot shags and kingfishers near the shore.

Lonely Bay (near Cooks Beach)

Secluded and stunning, Lonely Bay feels like an undiscovered treasure, framed by white cliffs and native bush.

Why it’s great for families:

• Quiet and uncrowded

• Often calm waters

• Magical scenery for memorable moments

What else to do: Combine with a visit to Shakespeare Cliff lookout above, or walk further to Flaxmill Bay for fish and chips.

Wentworth Valley Picnic Area (Whangamatā)

An easy drive inland from Whangamatā leads to this tranquil riverside clearing, surrounded by bush and birdlife.

Why it’s great for families:

• Large flat grass area for ball games

• Walk to the waterfalls for a family adventure

• Shallow pools for paddling

What else to do: Pack a nature scavenger hunt sheet, or take the longer walk to the impressive Wentworth Falls if everyone’s up for it.

Kauaeranga Valley (near Thames)

A lush inland escape just 20 minutes from Thames, the Kauaeranga Valley is full of grassy riverbanks, crystal-clear swimming holes, bush tracks, and DOC picnic areas that feel far away from it all.

Why it’s great for families:

• Loads of safe swimming and wading spots along the river

• Picnic tables, toilets and grassy clearings at multiple DOC campsites

• Short walks perfect for little legs — including nature trails, swing bridges and old logging relics

What else to do:
Bring your togs and towels for a river dip, or explore the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail Visitor Centre with its interactive displays and local knowledge.
Try the Nature Walk or the Billy Goat Landing Track for a gentle bush walk with views.
Older kids might love the Hoffman’s Pool jump rock or the ladder climb on the Pinnacles Track, even if you don’t go the whole way.