Ohakune Carrot Mennesson Adventure Park is a playground and park at 4a Rangataua Rd in Ohakune, in the Ruapehu district, rated 4.8 from 1,624 Google reviews. Adventure playgrounds live or die on range: equipment that keeps toddlers and ten-year-olds busy at the same time, soft landing surfaces under the climbing frames, shade and seats for supervising adults, and toilets within easy reach. Regulars in mountain towns know to pack an extra layer, because the weather can turn while the kids are mid-climb, and to arrive early on fine days when every family has the same idea. For travellers on the central North Island run, a good playground is also the classic leg-stretch stop, best paired with a picnic or a coffee nearby. At the foot of Mount Ruapehu, in New Zealand's carrot capital, it's a fittingly named stop for families pointing the car at the mountain.