This Tuesday is International Picnic Day! Though the date may be hugely biased towards our friends in the Northern Hemisphere, Kiwis have never been one to turn down a good picnic. So sling on an extra pair of shorts, pack up a lunch and head to one of our top spots for a picnic around Aotearoa.
Auckland Domain
Central Auckland
This wide open space in the heart of the city is full of grassy expanses, perfect for a meal in the open air. With plenty of hidden trails in the park’s northern sector, you can walk off your lunch with a stroll through the native bush – link up the Domain Walk with the Lovers’ Walk for a good hour of nature-soaked wandering.
In poor weather, check out the Domain’s Wintergarden greenhouses, full of tropical plants and free all year round.
Wellington Botanic Garden
Central Wellington
Take a trip up the Wellington Cable Car funicular railway for a wander around the city’s beautiful botanic gardens. The gardens celebrate their 150th anniversary this year, and entry is free. After your picnic, visit the giant Begonia Greenhouse, peruse the Botanic Garden Shop, or take a self-guided tour of the Biosecurity Trail, featuring more than 10,000 native and exotic plants. Pick up a guide to the trail at the visitor centre, open seven days a week.
Bowenvale Park
Port Hills, Christchurch
If you’re in the mood to truly get away from it all, head south of Christchurch to the Port Hills for a stunning panorama to mull over with your sandwiches. It could get breezy up on the hills this time of year, so make sure you pack something warmer than a second pair of socks. And footwear sturdier than flip flops is recommended.
Whangarei Falls Scenic Reserve
Whangarei
For a picnic with a touch of the dramatic, head North to Whangarei, where you can watch the famous waterfalls as you snack. Though a crowded tourist attraction in summer, Whangarei Falls is less busy in winter, plus with all the rain the waterfalls will be in full flow. After your lunch, take a 30-minute walk on the 1km long Otuihau Whangarei Falls Loop path. Or, for the more adventurous, the Sands Road Loop is a 3-hour option, 4.8km in length.
St Omer Park
Queenstown
Omer Park sits on the side of Lake Wakatipu. With gorgeous views of the Lake and the Remarkables mountains, the park is a popular spot for walks and picnics. Queenstown is, of course, chilly this time of year, but bring a few blankets and a few containers of spicy food and you’ll be all set for a dreamy lakeside picnic.
