CARVE DIEM

A trip is what you make it, and though a Ruapehu ski adventure is guaranteed to be a good time, you can always up the ante. UNO editor Hayley Barnett finds the best spots to play, stay and eat during a family road trip.

PLAY WHAKAPAPA SKI FIELD

There’s something about a trip to the mountain in winter that you just can’t beat. Yes, in New Zealand the weather is always a bit of a gamble, but even on the worst days you come away exhilarated, having made the most of a full day on the slopes. On this particular morning, as we headed up the mountain giddy with excitement and anticipation, the snow gods had delivered. We’d been granted a bluebird day, a park near the top and surprisingly short queues. On the advice of friends travelling with us, we left Turangi around 7.45am, making it an easy half-hour drive with barely any traffic.

We’d opted to hire our skis up the mountain, because there’s nothing worse than clomping up the road in giant plastic boots while accidentally taking people out with your skis and poles every time you turn around.

After collecting our passes, we took the lift down to Happy Valley to be fitted for our gear. The fuss-free service was much quicker than expected and we hurried out onto the learner field to get Oscar, our eight-year-old, to his ski lesson.

Of course, a small glitch in the system (also known as me forgetting to confirm the booking) meant Oscar’s name didn’t appear on the list. So I spent the next two hours impressing my husband by skiing down the valley in a backwards wedge as Oscar screamed. While I’d highly recommend confirming your child’s ski lesson before you arrive, it was actually pretty satisfying watching him finally fly down the slope with a huge grin on his face, just as I was about to throw in the towel.

Before lunchtime, my daughter Poppy and I parted with the boys, who were off on their own adventure to discover the sledding zone in Happy Valley, where you can hire toboggans and carve up the dug out tracks for up to an hour. Instead we rode the famous Sky Waka Gondola up the mountain to muck around in the Rock Garden. It wasn’t long before we ran into more friends and ended up on the deck of the Knoll Ridge Chalet, which overlooks most of the ski field and the stunning three peaks of Tongariro.

As we sat there, slightly in awe of the scenery, a skier suddenly appeared over one of the peaks, impressing everyone as he carved down the face of the mountain before stopping right on the edge of a cliff. A collective gasp rippled through the lunchtime crowd as he jumped, then tumbled like a ragdoll down the slope, finally landing motionless in the snow.

Watching the dramatic rescue quickly became one of the highlights of the kids’ day, as they retold the story to friends for weeks afterwards. Thankfully, he was okay in the end, even popping up weeks later on a skiing Facebook page to share the update.

OHAKUNE

The next day, the weather gods weren’t so kind. We’d planned to head to Turoa Ski Field, just under an hour’s drive from Whakapapa, but the wind had picked up considerably, forcing the mountain to close. Though the kids were disappointed they couldn’t ski, we’d heard that Ohakune, the small ski town at the base of Turoa, was the perfect place to spend a day with kids.

Oscar was also strangely fixated on Ohakune’s giant carrot after a recent school project on the town, so we ventured forth. The Ohakune Carrotland Adventure Park is a wonder, and not just because of its 7.5-metre-tall frontman, voted Landmark of the Year in a nationwide poll in 2023. The carrot has a full cast of veggie companions, including a swede, Brussels sprout, potato and parsnip, which only add to the park’s surreal charm. The kids clambered through playgrounds, raced along the flying fox, and tested their stamina on the endurance course.

Photo ops are everywhere, and it’s impossible not to lean into the silliness. The town’s carrot obsession actually stretches back a century, when Chinese settlers first cleared the land and began growing the crop that would make Ohakune famous.

Today, the region still produces around two-thirds of the North Island’s carrots, making the giant vegetable feel surprisingly well deserved.

Since the carrot park hadn’t quite exhausted the kids’ energy, we headed to another quirky stop just 10 minutes away in Raetihi. Dinosaur House is a chaotic prehistoric wonderland, packed with life-sized dinosaur models, fossils and animatronic creatures that roar into life when you least expect it. There are even movie props, including memorabilia from Jurassic Park, much to Oscar’s delight.

STAY

THE QUARTERS

Tucked away in Tūrangi, The Quarters felt like the perfect hideaway. Just a scenic half-hour drive from Whakapapa, it made getting on the slopes early a breeze without having to stay on the mountain itself. Our two-bedroom family apartment had plenty of space for everyone to unwind after a full day carving up the snow, while the kids claimed their corners and quickly made themselves at home. For couples or solo travellers chasing fresh powder, the studios offered a cosy, pared-back alternative that still felt inviting. Friends opted for one of the studios and simply pumped up an airbed for their 10-year-old. Being fully self-contained meant slow, lazy breakfasts before hitting the road, but we also loved that a short stroll brought us straight to Tūrangi’s dining options, making it easy to hang up ski jackets and enjoy a fuss-free dinner after a big day outdoors.

THEQUARTERS.NZ

LAKE TAUPŌ HOLIDAY RESORT

The challenge in travelling with kids is finding somewhere to stay that will keep them off the iPads. Lake Taupō Holiday Resort ticks all the boxes, being less a holiday park and more a family playground. The thermally heated lagoon pool was the obvious star, with its diving grotto, swim-up bar, giant poolside movie screen, and a pair of twisting hydroslides that had the kids racing each other for hours. The water was warm enough to keep them splashing well after we’d unpacked the car, and the heated villas with electric blankets kept us warm after hopping out. Being just over an hour from Whakapapa made it the perfect base for a mountain adventure, while Taupō’s restaurants, shops, and indoor activities meant we were never short of options on slower days.

LAKETAUPORESORT.CO.NZ

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHALETS

These chalets in Ohakune felt like a true home away from home. With the mountain closed, we were perfectly content tucked up inside our cosy retreat. After a full day of adventure, we sank into one of the three on‐site spa pools, letting tired legs soak while the kids laughed and played nearby. Just a five-minute stroll took us to Ohakune’s famous playground, making it effortless to keep the little ones entertained. With Tūroa Ski Field just around the corner and plenty of cafés, bars, and eateries on the doorstep, it proved to be a fantastic base for both exploring the slopes and soaking up the charm of Ohakune.

ROCKYMOUNTAINCHALETS.COM

EAT

JOHNNY NATION’S CHOCOLATE ÉCLAIR SHOP

After an afternoon at the park, we treated the kids to something sweet at Johnny Nation’s Chocolate Éclair Shop in Ohakune, and, as expected, it was a hit. Famous for its world-renowned Ohakune chocolate eclairs, the little shop feels like a treasure trove of treats, offering up decadent cakes and pies sandwiches, and even fresh vegetables for the grown-ups. The eclairs, filled with fresh cream, are a daily ritual for locals and visitors, and it’s easy to see why. The kids were also kept entertained by the myriad of post-it notes left by diners and pressed all over the walls. By the time we’d finished, the sugar rush had everyone smiling, and it was clear that Ohakune’s sweet reputation is very well deserved.

FB: JOHNNYNATIONSCHOCOLATEECLAIRSHOP

DIXIE BROWNS

On more helpful advice from friends, we pulled up to Dixie Browns in the heart of Taupō and instantly understood its reputation as a lakefront favourite for families. The place buzzes with energy and the food options are endless, from juicy, flame-grilled burgers and golden fish and chips to melt-in-your-mouth slow-cooked ribs and indulgent milkshakes. The portions are generous and the kids happily dived in while we lingered over our drinks, watching the sun go down behind the lake.

DIXIEBROWNS.CO.NZ

MATTERHORN

When in Ohakune, we made sure to stop for a meal at Matterhorn, and it didn’t disappoint. This cosy alpine-style restaurant, tucked inside the Powderhorn Chalet just above the lively Powderkeg Bar, has a menu to suit everyone, from hearty classics to more elevated dishes. The highlight was watching the mulled wine being gently warmed over the open fire right in front of us. It would be a great way to unwind after a day on (or off) the mountain. It’s wonderfully family‐friendly, with space for the kids to wander, and has plenty of options to keep little diners happy.

POWDERHORN.CO.NZ

GOLDEN CRUST PIZZA

After a day on the slopes, we found ourselves pulling up to Golden Crust Pizza in Tūrangi for dinner. Tucked just off the main road, this family‐friendly pizzeria has earned a reputation locally for its generous, flavour‐packed pizzas and welcoming vibe. The menu is bigger than you might expect. There’s BBQ chicken, peri‐peri and meat‐lover’s pies loaded with toppings, plus burgers, thick shakes and sides for anyone who’s still peckish after a day outdoors. We ordered a few different pizzas and the kids loved picking slices straight off the board. Plenty of locals and visitors were stopping by while we were there, which felt like a good sign, and between rounds of pizza and thick shakes, everyone agreed it was a pit stop worth making before heading back to base.

GOLDENCRUST.CO.NZ

Staying power

A chance conversation has grown into a hugely successful business thanks to a focus on core values and positive word of mouth. MyStays owner Elle Knight shares her journey as the short-stay accommodation service moves into the Bay.

photo JESSICA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY

Elle Knight didn’t set out to become a business owner. She was simply looking for a little light relief. With a newborn son, who was born deaf and requiring bilateral cochlear implants, and a husband recovering from a broken leg, things were tight. Then came a message from her cousin: “Want to borrow some DVDs?”

While dropping them off, her cousin mentioned her partner was looking to sell a small property management business in Taupō. He managed eight apartments, but they were ready to move to Vanuatu.

“I said to my husband, ‘I reckon that would be a good gig for me,’” Elle recalls. She saw potential – flexible hours that worked around the kids and enough income to cover essentials.

With no experience but a strong head for business, Elle joined forces with her mother-in-law, Denise, to purchase what was then called Luxury Lakeside Accommodation.

Elle’s years in banking had armed her with valuable systems knowledge and operational know-how – skills that would quietly lay the foundation for the scalable business they would later build.

“I’m very much a jump in and learn how to swim person,” she smiles. “Back then, we didn’t know what success would look like. It was exciting to think we had something that could make a real difference.”

In the early days, they did it all themselves, including the cleaning in the mornings, laundry at home, and manually managing bookings in the afternoons.

“It worked for about six months. But Taupō’s a small town. Word gets around.”

Before long, property owners began knocking. The business grew quickly, driven purely by word of mouth. For the next six years, growth was steady and organic, all based on one simple idea: genuine, high-quality service for both guests and homeowners.

“It got to a stage where we looked at each other one night and thought, ‘How has this happened?’” Elle laughs.

What had happened was remarkable. They’d built a reputation that larger, offshore-run platforms couldn’t match, rooted in care, consistency and personal connection. Property owners felt genuinely supported, and guests returned for the reliably high standard across every property.

When Denise stepped away, Elle and her husband took over completely. But they were fielding a new kind of request. Guests and owners alike asked if their services were available outside Taupō. The answer, eventually, became MyStays.

Launched in January 2024 as a sister brand to Lakeside Accommodation, MyStays was created to grow the business while maintaining the personal touch and high standards that made Lakeside a success.

While Lakeside continues to manage 60 plus properties in Taupō, the brands now work together in both Taupō and Kinloch, with a combined portfolio of over 110 homes.

“Taupō is still our base, but we realised there was a real demand for our kind of service in other regions,” says Elle. “MyStays lets us do that – scale up, while still keeping it personal.”

The two brands have since grown to manage 145 plus properties across New Zealand, including more than 25 homes in the Coromandel’s most sought-after beach destinations.

In every region, the heart of the operation is the same: a local, trusted team providing hands-on care. That’s where the GEM model (short for Guest Experience Manager) comes in. Each GEM is a local, supporting homeowners and guests with boots-on-the-ground knowledge and attention. Taupō and Kinloch have three GEMs working alongside the Lakeside team. The Coromandel is supported by another trio, with more roles in the pipeline as expansion continues.

“It’s really important to us that our service feels local,” Elle explains. “Our GEMs make that possible. They’re not just staff – they’re trusted partners who help us maintain that consistent experience we’re known for.”

That consistency is key. Whether guests book a MyStays property in Auckland, Whangamatā, or Napier, they know exactly what to expect: clean, stylish accommodation and responsive service. The Bay of Plenty is the latest region to join the MyStays map. It wasn’t initially part of Elle’s plan. She believed it was already well-served by boutique operators. But after hearing from multiple property owners dissatisfied with impersonal management companies, she saw room for MyStays to add value.

“It’s a stunning place. I’ve enjoyed family time and attending events here,” Elle says. “It’s vibrant and exciting, with great food and shopping, and it really is a year-round destination.”

Despite its scale, Elle still sees MyStays as a family business at heart. Her team is tight-knit, and many of them have grown within their roles as the company has scaled.

“There’s a real sense of belonging here,” she says. “That gives us an authentic connection to our owners and our guests. We believe in what we do, and when you see that connection happen, it’s pretty special.”

From a borrowed DVD collection to a nationwide property portfolio, Elle Knight’s journey proves that small beginnings can lead to big things.

MYSTAYS.CO.NZ

At the water’s edge

A family-friendly weekend in Taupō is fun for parents and kids alike.

words Hayley Barnett

Thinking of Taupō, I see a giant lake, the iconic Macca’s aeroplane (every Kiwi kid’s dining dream), and an Irish pub with good food that conjures up regrettable memories from my early twenties. When my partner challenged me to find a family-friendly destination close to the Bay, which would entertain us rain, hail, or shine, it was the first town I thought of. The forecast looked gloomy for our weekend away so we needed some serious back-up plans to keep the youngsters occupied. Luckily, I was right and Taupō came through with the goods.

Editor Hayley and her kids’ Poppy and Oscar make a splash at the Hilton Lake Taupo.

HILTON LAKE TAUPO

Perched on the hill just behind the main township sits a stunning 19th-century heritage building which takes you back in time to the Victorian era. It was this picturesque scene that jumped out at me when searching for accommodation on Booking.com. The hotel boasts five stars on the website so I knew we were in good hands, but I was still surprised to find out just how good those hands were. Our three-bedroom, two bathroom self-contained apartment was livable to say the least – as in, I could quite happily live there forever. The living area spanned the width of the building, giving us all-day sun and stunning views each side of the hotel – of the lake as well as the pool, spa and gym area. The Bistro Lago Restaurant offers delicious food all day, and we treated ourselves to an all-you-can-eat breakfast every morning. I’m not going to lie – it was hard to drag ourselves away from this spot, and the serviced pool area didn’t help. Only when the wind and rain swept in unexpectedly were we forced to think about making some sort of plan for the weekend. We sat down, perused our collection of tourism brochures, and decided we would each pick an activity. And so our adventure began.

booking.com

TIMBERLINE RACING SIBERIAN HUSKIES

My partner, Karl, chose an unusual activity. Watching dogs race around a track isn’t normally my cup of tea, but this one proved to be a hit for everyone. Not only did we get to watch some impressively fast dogs pull a very tall man around a track, we were also able to pat, cuddle and mingle with the dogs afterwards. It’s obvious the tall man, Steve Coxhead, and his wife Taniya have a shared passion for dogs. They both mentor Husky owners on top of managing the racing team, since many new owners find themselves baffled by the breed. Steve tells us they are no ordinary dog: “They just want to run and have no loyalty to you whatsoever. They’re pack dogs.”

Despite this, the pair light up at any questions about the Huskies, and each dog is loved for its own unique personality, which they’ll gladly describe in detail. They have owned and trained the breed for more than 25 years and pride themselves on being a home for life for Siberian Huskies. This is one activity that any dog lover will enjoy.

TIMBERLINERACINGHUSKIES.CO.NZ

TONGARIRO NATIONAL TROUT CENTRE

In my first job out of school, I spent time working for the Turangi Chronicle. I was keen to revisit the tiny town surrounded by nature. I remember beautiful riverside walks and the famous Turangi Bakery and Café, where I would undo all my good work with a pie and a custard twist.

On my daily drive past the Trout Centre, I always wondered what it was like. Since having a fish-obsessed child, now was probably a good time to find out. So we headed out to Turangi, a 45-minute scenic drive from Taupō, along the lakeside. Tongariro Trout Centre is located in a beautiful spot next to the Tongariro River and offers fish feeding, conservation education and a very pretty walk along the river edge. The kids loved finding and feeding the fish, as well as exploring this little piece of paradise hidden in the bush. A must for nature lovers.

TROUTCENTRE.COM

TAUPŌ DEBRETTS HOT SPRINGS, POOLS AND WATER PARK

Our own little fish, Poppy, chose to visit the local hot springs, nestled conveniently next door to the Heritage Hotel. It was also the perfect Sunday rainy day activity. We threw our towels overhead and ran across the driveway, then down the steep slope that heads to DeBretts Water Park. The hot springs were a great way to relax after the intensity of excitable dogs and long walks the day before. And the three water slides kept Poppy entertained for hours. Oscar was a little more cautious and stuck to the preschoolers’ water park, filled with splashing buckets and a much less daunting water slide for the littlies.

TAUPŌDEBRETTS.CO.NZ

MIND JUNCTION

Our four-year-old LEGO® enthusiast, Oscar, made the fastest decision when it came to each of us choosing an activity. He took one look at the plastic fantastic world in the Mind Junction brochure and was instantly sold. It didn’t disappoint. The activity park was a good stop-off on our way back home as it sits slightly on the outskirts of Taupō off State Highway 1. The LEGO® room displays 30 years of collecting and is New Zealand’s only public LEGO® display, featuring Star Wars, trains, The Simpsons, a ferris wheel, a container ship, Friends and hundreds of other LEGO® creations. Oscar (and Dad) spent so much time finding all the hidden characters that we only managed to get to one other activity that Mind Junction offers, the Discovery Centre. This interactive science experience allows you to participate in mirror and optical illusions, magnet and sound experiments, and a whole heap more. With mini golf, a giant maze, flight and shooting simulators, a family could easily spend an entire day here.

MINDJUNCTION.CO.NZ

Hayley and family stayed at Heritage Lake Taupō courtesy of booking.com.