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Long New Zealand road trips are unforgettable - but when you’re travelling with young children, they can also be… a lot.
Between Taupō and Wellington stretches several hours of winding roads, big landscapes, and limited places where kids can actually get out, run around, and reset. That’s where Awastone, in the small riverside village of Mangaweka, quietly shines.
If you’re travelling with young children and looking for a relaxed, family-friendly place to stop for one or two nights, Awastone is exactly the kind of place parents wish they’d known about sooner.
Awastone isn’t a theme park. It’s not a busy resort. And that’s precisely why it works so well for families.
Set right on the banks of the Rangitīkei River, Awastone offers space, safety, and simplicity — three things parents crave mid-trip, and kids instinctively respond to.
Here, children can:
And parents can:
For families moving between Taupō and Wellington, this combination is gold.
Awastone is located in Mangaweka, just off State Highway 1 - no long detours or stressful back roads required.
Drive times:
That makes it a perfect halfway pause, especially for families who don’t want to push through a full travel day with overtired kids.
Instead of “Are we nearly there?”, you get:
“Can we stay another night?”
Travelling with young children means flexibility matters. Awastone offers several options depending on how much comfort (or adventure) your family wants.
Ideal for families with toddlers or younger kids who need proper beds and easy nights.
For families keen to experience classic New Zealand camping without the stress.
No matter how you stay, everything is walkable - no packing kids into the car again just to find dinner or a playground.
You don’t need big adrenaline activities to keep young children happy — and Awastone understands that.
The Rangitīkei River offers calm areas near camp that are perfect for supervised swimming and splashing. It’s the kind of natural play kids remember long after the trip.
For families with slightly older children, short, gentle river trips introduce paddling in a safe, guided environment. Many kids experience their first river adventure here — and beam with pride afterwards.
Birdsong in the morning. Open skies. Space to explore without crowds. For many international children, this is their first taste of real New Zealand nature — unfiltered and unforced.
Let’s be honest: travelling with young kids often revolves around food, snacks, and timing.
Awastone’s Riverside Café makes life easier.
Parents can sit by the river with a drink while kids play within sight — no negotiating silence or staying seated. It’s relaxed, forgiving, and genuinely welcoming to families.
On some evenings, there’s live music or a casual event — relaxed enough that kids can be kids without anyone batting an eye.
Awastone works beautifully as:
Many international families arrive planning one night and stay longer once they realise how easy it feels.
There’s no pressure to “do it all”. The joy of Awastone is in not rushing.
Big attractions are impressive — but they often blur together.
What families remember about Awastone is simpler:
It’s the kind of place where parents realise they’re finally relaxed again — and kids don’t want to leave.
Best time to visit:
November to March for warm weather and river time, though spring and autumn are quieter and just as beautiful.
What to pack:
Who it’s best for:
New Zealand rewards travellers who slow down — especially families.
If you’re journeying between Taupō and Wellington and wondering where to stop that won’t drain your energy or overwhelm your kids, Awastone offers exactly what you need: space, nature, kindness, and time.
Stay a night. Stay two.
Let the river do the rest.
