South Canterbury, Family Activities

High Country Salmon is a boutique, 100% New Zealand family owned salmon farm, situated 3km south of Twizel.  They grow glacial mountain salmon (chinook or king salmon) in the hydro canal system and do everything on-site - resulting in the shortest supply chain possible and the freshest salmon available.

Visitors to High Country Salmon have a range of things to do; have a coffee and some delicious salmon-inspired food from the café, feed the salmon (for free) on the floating deck, purchase some salmon to take home from the fish shop, or even catch your own salmon!  There is plenty of parking, and the scenery is spectacular!
Open from 9am daily.  Please check the website for more information and current closing times.  They can also deliver salmon to your door nationwide – order online via the website.

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Hot water, steam and... Ice? Yes, you read that right. Tekapo Springs combines the luxury of hot pools, sauna, steam room and a day spa with the excitement of an ice skating rink, snow park and plunge pool.

Sink into the relaxing, therapeutic hot pools while taking in the glorious views of Lake Tekapo. Get pampered in the luxurious day spa. Heat up in the sauna and steam room before cooling down in the lake-temperature (eight degrees Celsius!) plunge pool.  Kids love the ice skating rink – which converts to a roller-skating rink in summer – or visit the 150-metre long snow tubing park to try out some snow tubing in winter or the Magic Carpet in summer. Tekapo Springs is an excellent destination for a family day out!

Minimum age for Ice Skating is 3 years old & 5 years for Tubing

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aze deep into the cosmos and learn more about the Southern sky on an evening tour at Mt John Observatory in Lake Tekapo. On a clear night, you can look deep into the universe viewing incredible constellations, stars and planets with an exciting look through one of powerful telescopes at the observatory. The two hour tour includes a fascinating look inside the work and life of an astronomer with an exclusive behind the scenes glimpse at the research and equipment used at Mt John Observatory. This is your chance to learn more about the universe and experience a once in a lifetime tour of the Southern Hemisphere with knowledgeable astronomers.

The evenings can be quite cool so a "US Antarctic Expedition" jacket plus a solar charged LED flashlight and a warm hot chocolate is provided for your comfort and enjoyment. Tour times will vary from season to season, however, all tours will depart from the Dark Sky Project office in Lake Tekapo. This is the perfect evening activity for all ages in Lake Tekapo with a thrilling look into the universe and the chance to capture some unbelievable photographs of the night sky.

Inclusions

• 2 hours guided tour
• Warm hot chocolate
• “US Antarctic Expedition” jackets (that really went to Antarctica) to wear during tour
• Solar-charged LED flashlight for you to keep at the end of the tour

 

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Mount Cook Ski Planes offer a wide range of scenic flights and glacier landings.  They are the only company to offer glacier landing flights in both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. Experience the natural quiet of the Tasman Glacier and the ever changing glacial landscape of the NZ Southern Alps.

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Hold on tight as your skillful driver weaves the jet through an intricate braided river channel system, skimming along the rocky banks and gushing waters, home to Salmon and Trout fish. Travelling at high speeds you will journey through the Rakaia Gorge, wind flowing through your hair and cool water splashing you with every twist and turn your driver makes as you take in the stunning scenery.

The scrub covered hills change to towering coal and limestone cliffs in shades of greys and browns, carved in the land over millions of years. Marvel at the snow capped Southern Alps between exhilarating 360 degree spins! With highly experienced drivers they will show you the treasures of the gorge, accessing spots others can only dream of!
Children under 5 years go FREE.

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Get the kids outside to have some FREE family fun connecting with nature at Toyota Kiwi Guardians sites nationwide.

Toyota Kiwi Guardians highlights family-friendly, treasure hunt style activities at specific Department of Conservation sites that encourage kids to engage with the outdoors and, ultimately, earn themselves a medal for their efforts.

The goal of the conservation programme is to turn Kiwi kids into guardians of the land and sea.

A total of 50 sites are operational nationwide. Families can get started on their adventure by downloading the appropriate “treasure hunt” map from: www.kiwiguardians.co.nz

Click on the area of New Zealand nearest to where you are to find the choices available closest to home.

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Very few glaciers terminate into lakes and even fewer are readily accessible to travellers. By boat, we explore the huge dripping iceface of New Zealand’s largest glacier. Watch and listen to the ice melting before your eyes in this tranquil glacial lake nestled in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Discover spectacular ice formations which have calved into the murky waters of Lake Tasman. Stop, to touch and taste 500 year old ice and, on occasion, a walk on an iceberg provides a new and exciting experience for all.

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The South Canterbury Museum is a great place for kids to explore! From fossils to fashions, you can see hundreds of fascinating things! Open drawers, do puzzles and lots more. School holidays are a really good time to visit the Museum, with a range of activities for kids in the galleries. See What's On to find out what current exhibits and programmes are happening or coming up soon. Contact us to join the Museum Explorers Club for primary school-aged students - it's free! All Explorers get a Museum Passport that is stamped every time they visit the Museum - get 5 stamps to earn a prize. Explorers also get sent our latest Explorers Club newsletters and information about our upcoming events for kids - including holiday programmes and special events like Museum in the Dark and more!

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Enjoy a horseback ride through McKenzie Country seeing tussock grasslands, glacial lakes & forests.  Options include a 30 minute, one, two, 3 1/2 hour or a full day trek.  

 

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Dive into our foam pits, fly high on the olympic tramp, play dodgeball or bounce on our huge main trampoline. There's also a kids trampoline area - perfect for parties! Flip Out caters for sporting groups, school & community groups and community events.

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This exciting, family-friendly trip, taken by our experienced staff, will involve guiding you through the lower part of the Rangitata River. Suitable for kids of all ages, you'll get a true South Island rafting experience, up to grade three white water rapids and some of the most beautiful scenery New Zealand has to offer! For ages 6+ years.

 

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The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre's 126-seat custom-designed theatre is the world's only theatre with 2D, 3D and a Digital Dome Planetarium under one roof! Offering you 'Mount Cook Magic' an inspiring 3D cinematic experience unlike any other and The Digital Dome Planetarium, where science meets entertainment for an unrivalled 360 degree cinematic experience. The museum showcases the history of the Mount Cook region and where you can learn all about Sir Edmund Hillary himself.

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Gem Alpaca Stud offer farm visits to meet and greet our Alpaca, Llama and sheep.  Our farm visits allows you to get in the paddocks with the Alpaca and Llama and see very clearly the difference between the two species. At the right time of year you will also meet the cria (Baby Alpaca/Llama). Farm visits take 1 hour and are dependant on weather. Great for young and old.

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Take in a guided tour of the Hooker Valley, providing breathtaking views of some of NZ's highest and most enthralling peaks. Our knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides will tell you all about the unique flora and fauna of the region and the local history as you trek through this amazing landscape. Departs and returns from The Hermitage and with the choice of a half or full day option. Minimum age 10 years.

 

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Tekapo Springs offers lots of family entertainment. With three hot pools, the world's largest landbased inflatable waterslide, an outdoor skating rink operates in winter (mid April - mid September) and a one hundred and fifty metre long by fifty-metre wide tube park that is open in both winter and summer. Combo deals available and there is a cafe onsite.

 

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The Centre boosts three indoor pools, 50M outdoor pool, two hydroslides, a children’s water play area, Rapid River, Bombing Tower and Chillax Area with Steam, Sauna and Spa. The gym is fully equipped with state of the art Cybex strength and cardio equipment. Plus two group fitness studios (including RPM) offering Les Mills group fitness classes. The centre is completed with a Wellness suite to include beauty therapy treatments and nutrition consultants and the Café serves freshly baked food and offers diners an outdoor courtyard. The facilities offer hours of enjoyment for the whole family, including the elite to recreational swimmer, children, and people with disabilities.

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Discovery Jet offers you the chance to hold on tight and enjoy the scenic wonders of the Rakaia Gorge in your choice of a thrilling and exhilarating jet boat tour ranging from either 15, 30 or 45 minutes of pure fun! Great rates and under 5's travel FREE with a fare paying adult.

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Visit Chipmunks for unlimited play for your children aged 0 – 11 years old and relax over a coffee or lunch with friends and family at our full service café. Chipmunks feature exciting under 5’s areas, action packed ball blasters, Chipmunks exclusive ‘mega’ slides and an awesome playground structure for guaranteed fun. Chipmunks is also the perfect play centre to host an exciting & memorable birthday party.

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