01 January 2009: Regionwide news     
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Fill up on feast of Auckland holiday fun

Nature's fun fair: kids whoop it up on an Auckland beach while Rangitoto Island keeps watch.
Nature's fun fair: kids whoop it up on an Auckland beach while Rangitoto Island keeps watch.

Happy New Year, Auckland. We hope your first weeks of 2009 are full of days spent exploring and enjoying our region's natural playgrounds.

We've put together some ideas of where to go and what to do, as well as information about council services over the holidays.

See below for highlights of the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) events calendar and the list of 101 things to do in your regional parks.

You can also find out about the availability of ARC services over the holidays.

Go to Auckland Botanic Gardens

  • Holiday fun for kids
    From making kites and origami jumping frogs to colouring-in the 3D garden, there's more than enough to keep kids entertained until the start of the school year. To find out more, visit Botanic Gardens school holiday programme.
  • Music in the Gardens
    A variety of musicians, from string quartets to swing bands, will play during the series, every Sunday from 1pm to 3pm until the end of March.

To find out more about what's happening at Auckland Botanic Gardens, visit www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz.

Walk in the Waitakeres

  • Bat treks
    Go on a guided night trek through the bush in search of the only native bat species to inhabit this area. The treks run Mondays and Wednesdays, 5 to 28 January. Bookings essential - phone the Arataki Visitor Centre on 09 817 0089.
  • Montana Heritage Trail
    Follow this trail to Auckland's largest remaining stand of mature kauri, dating back 600 years.

Find out more about Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.

Surf at Tawharanui
Pack up the surfboard and head to Tawharanui Regional Park, one of Auckland's best-kept secrets.

Set out on a seashore safari
How about going on a seashore safari on the rocky platform at Omana Regional Park? You can also visit the goats on the perimeter walk.

Dig for pipi
Take the kids pipi-digging at Tapapakanga Regional Park, just south of Orere Point, beside the Firth of Thames. The beach is ideal for swimming and you can also enjoy camping, kayaking and mountain biking.

Have a Big Day Out
Now in its 14th year, the Big Day Out at Mt Smart Stadium on Friday 16 January, 11am to 11pm, offers a sizzling line-up of national and international acts, headlined by Neil Young. To get tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.co.nz or phone 0800 111 999.