Climb aboard for a two and a half hour trip on this narrow gauge railway over wooden bridges and through tunnels lit at night with a multitude of glowworms. Visit the Upper Nihotupu Dam, Auckland’s highest dam, and walk to Seaver’s camp overlooking the valley and Manukau Harbour, before returning by train to the depot. Take a slightly longer picnic trip at three hours (includes one hour and ten minute stopover) or a brunch and twilight trip at three and a half hours long. The Express makes regular weekend trips with evening trips during the summer and charters on request. Bookings are essential.

One hour’s drive from Auckland will take you to this 30 acre Farm and Nature Park where children can feed the farmyard animals, meet more exotic animals like alpacas and emus and follow the eco-discovery trail. Be entertained by the working sheep dog demonstration and take your turn at sorting the sheep into their pens! At weekends there is also a dog/duck show where dogs show their skills at herding ducks into the duck pool. The Black Sheep Café provides morning tea or lunches from $10 for a budget BBQ lunch or student lunches for $10.

Very family-friendly little railway trip on Little Toot, the steam locomotive. The train completes a circuit round a small animal park with places to stop and watch the animal feeding, take a walk or enjoy a picnic.

Come eye to eye with animals like the endangered orangutan, elegant giraffe and awesome elephant. Walk through the rainforest and see kiwi and tuatara in their natural habitat. Explore the Primate Trail and the Zoo’s recreation of the African savannah where you can see lions, rhinos and zebras or check out the penguins and sealions at their private beach. The Safari Train can take you and the family for a fun tour of the grounds. Take your own picnic, grab a takeaway or eat at the licensed café which provides themed kids’ picnic boxes There is a family room in the Visitors’Centre.

Take off for cosmic entertainment for the whole family. Planetarium shows, games and activities with videos, puzzles and displays about space and the sky at night. Learn how to navigate using only the stars or look through the Zeiss telescope, one of the largest available telescopes for public viewing. Show times vary so check the website for details. The school holiday programme includes building and launching your own rocket!

Snowplanet is New Zealand's first and only all-year indoor snow resort where the temperature inside the snow dome is -5°C! Snowplanet’s giant snowhall features 50 cm of real powder snow, three lifts, a terrain park for snowboarders and a separate learner area or children can simply enjoy playing in the snow. Enjoy the panoramic views onto the snowhall while eating at the Mountain View Café and Bar. Check the website for advice if you are a first time visitor. Note: warm clothing and gloves are essential.

Kelly Tarlton’s is a magical world where Antarctica and the Underwater World combine to give you a chance to see penguins, sharks and even piranha! The Antarctic Encounter features a life-sized replica of Captain’s Scott’s hut, plus a chance to see penguins from a snowcat. Travelling on the moving walkway in Underwater World, you are face to face with sharks, stingrays and hundreds of other amazing sea creatures. You can watch the sharks, stingrays and penguins being fed by hand.. There is also an interactive room where children can learn more about the marine world in a fun environment. A refreshment kiosk provides snacks, lunches or coffee. Wheelchair and disabled access is provided throughout. Kelly Tarlton’s also hosts birthday parties (10 or more people required) and sleepovers (minimum 30 people)