Whether it's during school holidays or a long weekend away, there's fun for the whole family no matter where you are in the North Island.
Visit the Sky Tower and travel 328 metres up in glass-fronted lifts to the spectacular viewing platforms. Family members who are 10 years or over might like to do a Sky walk or Sky jump! If you’re after something a little closer to the ground, visit the Wētā Workshop Unleashed and unleash the family’s creativity or learn all about what it’s like to be an All Black at the All Blacks Experience.
Check out the Auckland Zoo, where there are daily zoo encounters presented by informative zookeepers. Or get up close and personal with the underwater world at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s.
Take the family out and discover the animal kingdom at Hamilton Zoo, or wander through ancient native forest at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, or even meet a kiwi bird at Ōtorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park!
Make the most of the outdoors with all the attractions and places to explore around Waikato. Visit the Waitomo Caves, wander the Hamilton Gardens, or take the bicycles and cruise along one of Waikato’s many cycling trails.
Of course, no trip to the Waikato is complete without taking a stroll through the Shire™! Book a Hobbiton Movie Set™ tour and learn all about the movie-making magic behind one of the world’s biggest trilogies of movies.
Experience a farm tour where you can pet and feed farm animals such as sheep, deer, cattle and llamas at Rotorua Heritage Farm(opens in new window). Catch the gondola to the top of Mount Ngongotahā. Luge down the side of the mountain on the purpose-built tracks or scream your heart out on the Sky Swing.
Whakarewarewa Forest is a gem to explore, whether on foot or by bike. There are easy grade walks suitable for families and 14 beginner grade mountain bike trails. Rafting on the lower Rangitaiki River is available to families with children as young as five.
Take in the fresh air on one of the many cycling and walking trails around Taupō. Learn something new by joining a tour at Huka Prawn Park or at Huka Honey Hive.
Enjoy one of the many water activities in the area, such as going on a thrilling jet boat ride with Hukafalls Jet or Rapids Jet, or take the family out on a cruisy boat trip on the beautiful Lake Taupō and see the rock carvings at Mine Bay.
During the winter holidays, take the kids up to Whakapapa Ski area and learn to ski at Happy Valley. Or soak in the hot springs at Taupō DeBretts Spa Resort.
When in Wellington, you’ve got to make the most of the vibrant arts and culture scene. The capital is home to our national museum, Te Papa, with exhibits to keep you and the family engrossed for hours, and there are numerous other galleries and museums around the city.
Interested in wildlife? You can’t go past ZEALANDIA, which is home to some of New Zealand's rarest wildlife including kiwi and tuatara. There’s also Wellington Zoo - New Zealand's oldest zoological park – and Kāpiti Island Nature Reserve on an island off the coast.
Be sure to fit in a trip up the historic cable car from downtown to the Botanic Garden, too – the views are the top are magnificent, but the ride is half the fun.
