Candice Shaw

In planning our trip we decided for a 7 day trip, 3 days skiing and a couple of days at the end back in Christchurch. Our first day we got groceries for the week in Christchurch (because there is only 1 small and expensive supermarket in Methven), let the girls play at a playground and then drove to Methven. By the time we got up the mountain, parked dropped the girls off and got our ski gear on it was almost 10am. My parents checked out and we headed to the Info centre to get a refund for ski passes (they will refund you if it’s your last day and the mountain is officially closed) and return our gear.

Our first day we got groceries for the week in Christchurch (because there is only 1 small and expensive supermarket in Methven), let the girls play at a playground and then drove to Methven. By the time we got up the mountain, parked dropped the girls off and got our ski gear on it was almost 10am. My parents checked out and we headed to the Info centre to get a refund for ski passes (they will refund you if it’s your last day and the mountain is officially closed) and return our gear. Bring lunch boxes and drink bottles from home – pack lunches every day • bring a large blue Ikea bag for lugging your boots, helmets etc (I would say 1 bag per 2 people)

Rocks Riverside Park: This is probably our favourite park, it has a great shallow water play area, junior play area and a large climbing playground for older kids. Across the walk bridge to Robelle Domain is a water playground, walking tracks, dry playground and bushland. A fun splash playground great for little kids, there is also a tall climbing playground, flying fox and cafe for mum and dad. There is lots for kids to do, first there is a kids playground which is fun for all ages, next there is some indoor games like a giant connect 4, ping pong tables and wooden table games inside the marquee lastly is putt putt (at a cost per person).

We wanted to be in Nusa Dua, but couldn’t find any Hotel deals with any major chain, we opted for The Park Hotel Nusa Dua up on a hill. The hotel had 2 pools, one roof top infinity pool and the other a large pool with a shallow kid’s pool which was fantastic for Eliana. Nusa Dua Water Blow: At the far end of the Nusa Dua is Water Blow, it’s a natural water blow hole. Thanks to a blog I read about Bali I had packed a bucket and spade for Eliana and she spent some time digging in the sand, the beach was super busy though with lots of boats and tourists and the sun was hot.