What You'll Find Here
This weekend, I took on the challenge of going on a day trip from Auckland with my 3-year-old toddler – all by myself!
We were on the hunt for the juiciest, freshest, jumbo oysters, and our research led us to Clevedon.
Traveling from Auckland’s North, the scenic road trip along the Pohutukawa Coast took just a little over an hour.
We broke the drive into two parts and arrived at Clevedon Coast Oysters smoothly, without any toddler fuss!
In this post, I will introduce you to one of the best places to get fresh oysters near Auckland.
Together, we’ll explore Clevedon and the beautiful Kawakawa Bay.
On the way back, we’ll stop by the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere to complete this fun-filled family day trip from Auckland.
Clevedon Coast Oysters
We heard the freshest jumbo oysters on the North Island are found in the pristine waters of Hauraki Gulf, and Clevedon Coast Oysters benefits from the nutrient-rich waters, offering a unique farm-to-table experience.
Known for producing some of the freshest and most flavorful oysters in the region, Clevedon Coast Oysters is a must-try for seafood lovers.
Clevedon also hosts a popular farmers’ market on Sundays, so if you can schedule your visit to coincide with it, you’ll have an even better experience.
The Shop
Clevedon Coast Oysters are divided into 2 sections. The main shop sells fresh and frozen oyster products, including chilled or frozen, whole-shell or half-shell oysters, oyster pots and oyster soup.
You can choose from 4 different grades, Clevedon Pearls, Premiums, Large or Jumbos.
Lucky for us, we only had the choice of Jumbos, and the rest were sold out.
There is a large outdoor seating area on the grass, with a couple of tables under the shelter.
Oyster Galley
The oyster galley opens during the weekends selling cooked and hot seafood.
Wooden tables and seats are available in the fenced-off area, making this little corner a family-friendly place to eat and play.
There is a small sandpit kids playground to keep the little ones busy, and it’s within arm’s reach for parents to keep an eye on them.
On the menu is a variety of cooked oysters and seafood to choose from, and the platter looks a-mazing!
Clevedon Animal Farm
Clevedon Animal Farm is a small, working farm in the picturesque Clevedon countryside.
Despite its size, this family-run farm provides engaging activities for toddlers and young children, as well as a variety of animals, including sheep, goats, alpacas, cows, and horses.
One of the highlights of Clevedon Animal Farm is the tractor ride around the farm.
Kids will have a chance to see the animals in their paddocks and enjoy the beautiful rural scenery.
During the ride, you’ll have the opportunity to feed geese and ducks and for the little ones who may be a bit shy, the staff there are very patient and will gladly hold their little hands to encourage them.
There’s also an opportunity for little equestrians to groom a pony and ride a pony. The pony ride follows a small loop around the farm, so it’s a great brief experience for first-timers.
Kawakawa Bay, Auckland
You can take away some oysters and enjoy them at the scenic Kawakawa Bay, only 5 minutes away.
There are 2 main car parks where you could have picnics in front of a 270° panoramic view of Wairoa Bay.
My favourite vantage point in this area is from Hauraki Carpark.
Most people would only stop and take a photo here, but there’s a picnic table that comes with a 5-star expansive view of the bay, all for free!
If you prefer to laze on the beach in the sun, drive all the way down to the beachfront car park.
It was quite busy on the day we were there, and we struggled to find parking, but with a bit of patience, we managed to find a spot on the grass.
This beach is a popular spot for families to set up their tents and BBQ by the beach.
The beach itself is covered in shells and pebbles, but that doesn’t stop the kids from having fun splashing in the water!
Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple
On the way back home, we visited the largest Buddhist Temple in the Southern Hemisphere – Fo Guang Shan Temple.
Our family doesn’t know enough about Buddhism to comment on the temple, but I really liked how peaceful this place was, as well as the magnificent pagoda and stalls.
In late November, you can catch the cherry blossom festival here.
If this post has helped you, a cup of coffee is all it takes to make my day. Thanks a latte!
Last Notes
Our day trip to Clevedon turned out to be quite an unforgettable experience, different from all the other road trips we’ve taken.
It was a unique mix of nature, culture, and seafood indulgence.
If you’re ever short on day trip ideas from Auckland, this easy yet exciting getaway is well worth the trip!
As you can see, even with a toddler, exploring new places can be fun and rewarding.
To help make your road trip even more stress-free, you might find these posts useful:
- Road Trips with a Toddler: 7 Genius Tips For Families
- Road Trips with a Baby: What to Pack, 10 Travel Tips + Interactive Packing List
- Travel Light: Why Packing Light Feels So Hard With Kids (And How to Overcome It)
- How to Pack Light: 20 Creative Tips for Minimalist Travel
Happy travels!
∞ Kida
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∞ Kida