The Iron Yard

Tucked into Franklin's Paerata, The Iron Yard brings together a golf driving range and mini golf in a single destination with a café on site — the kind of combination that lets parents hit a bucket of balls while younger ones plot their mini putt strategy.

The driving range runs 22 covered bays fitted with Top Tracer technology, so players can track each shot regardless of the weather. Club hire is available for adults and children, meaning families can turn up empty-handed. The nine-hole mini golf course is ready to play, with a second nine holes planned for addition. A pro shop stocks gear for beginners and seasoned golfers alike, and The Hidden Café is on hand for a coffee or a meal when the competitive edge softens.

The Iron Yard suits families with children old enough to swing a club or navigate a putting green — a well-rounded visit that sends everyone home having actually done something.