Listings

  • Antarctic Centre

    Have you ever wondered what it takes to survive on such an amazing but highly dangerous continent? Now you can experience what it is like living in Antarctica (the coldest, driest and windiest continent) without leaving NZ. Take a journey with the family for a great day out that’s fun, exciting and full of interactive experiences. Here you can watch snow fall, experience a snow and ice storm in the four seasons room (a re-created environment of Antarctica), meet with the Little Blue Penguins and watch a 4D extreme show that simulates the stunning scenery and animal close-ups as if you were cruising through this ice continent! You can also delight in a ride on the ‘Hagglund’ – a highly authentic ride in an all-terrain amphibious Antarctic vehicle that replicates the conditions scientists experience as they travel over ice, across crevasses, up and down hills and through water. You will also see polar tents, how they eat plus get to try on some authentic Antarctic Extreme Cold Weather (ECW) clothing. An awesome day out for all ages, fantastic birthday party venue plus they offer great school holiday and education programmes.

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  • Wee Nippers - Invercargill

    Wee Nippers provides a safe and healthy environment for children to grow and learn emotionally, cognitively and physically. Our comprehensive, balanced, flexible programme reflects the children’s interests in ways that are developmentally appropriate. Our Centres are new and purpose built inside and out.

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  • Te Puna Quarry Park - Bay of Plenty

    This family friendly park is being developed by volunteers from a disused quarry into a world class park. There are ponds, tree ferns and other plants plus stone sculptures by local artists. The walking tracks are easy for the moderately fit. Open every day during daylight hours.

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    • Location: Te Puna, Quarry Road, Bay of Plenty
  • Governors Bush Walk - Mount Cook

    A pleasant bush walk, which joins with Bowen Bush Walk to form a nature trail and explores one of the few stands of silver beech/tawai forest in the park.

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    • Location: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
  • Trounson Kauri Park - nr Dargaville

    Take a walk through this park to view the wonderful forest and beautiful kauri trees. The track is easy and takes about 30 to 40 minutes. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation. During the day you can see kukupa (New Zealand’s only native pigeon), fantails and morepork. Or a guided nightwalk will give you the opportunity to see the forest at night and maybe see kiwi or bats.

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    • Location: Off State Highway 12, 30 mins north of Dargaville
  • Ocean Beach - Raglan

    This is a great picnic spot if it isn’t too windy and you can see spectacular views of the Raglan bar. Swimming is only safe between the flags as there are strong undertows and the western end of the beach is only patrolled during the summer months.

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    • Location: Wainu Road, via Riria Kereopa Memorial Drive
  • Waihi Beach

    Waihi beach is one of the safest surf beaches in New Zealand. There is plenty of room to relax and play on the nine kilometers of beautiful, white sand. There is a modern shopping centre close by with restaurants.

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    • Location: Waihi, Coromandel/Bay of Plenty
  • Porter Heights - South Island

    Christchurch's closest ski area at just 89km away, with a short, easy access road make this a favourite. Whatever your ability, you’ll feel right at home at Porters. We’ve got gentle runs and easy lifts for beginners and kids, long cruising runs for the intermediates, and super challenging terrain for advanced skiers and riders. The Porters Community Park also offers a challenge for the more adventurous, and a great platform to progress your freestyle skills.  There is a Beginners Carpet lift, an Intermediate Platter lift, a 4 Seater Chair lift and 3 T-bar lifts.  FOR THE KIDS - Kids Programmes - for all ages - Special programmes include Holiday Snow Fun, Sunday Specials and Junior Ski School.

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  • Reading Cinemas

    Reading Cinemas screening the latest blockbusters. Our cinemas feature wall-to-wall screens, stadium seating, value-packed candy bar deals and Timezone™ games centre. BABY'S DAY OU... read more

  • Oriental Bay

    This is one of Wellington’s most popular beaches. Close to the city centre it has excellent facilities including cafes and shops nearby. The bay is secluded and suitable for swimming or walking along the main promenade area.

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    • Location: Oriental Parade, Wellington
  • Turangi Ski Hire

    Turangi Ski Hire is located at the southern tip of Lake Taupo on State Highway 41. Their aim is to offer high quality equipment at a reasonable rental price. They offer concessions from the second day of hire and student discounts with student ID cards and you can hire the night before at no extra charge.

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  • Botanic Gardens

    The Wellington Botanic Garden features 25 hectares of unique landscape, protected native forest, conifers, specialised plant collections, colourful floral displays, and views over Wellington city. The Botanic Gardens has a play area with a rocktopus, double-pipe tube slides, swings, slides and flying fox. There are also picnic tables, toilets and an enclosed area for small children. There are glow worms in the main garden, from the duck pond up to Glen Road; these are best spotted at night after rain and at full moon. The Picnic Cafe is also available in the heart of the Botanical Gardens serving up hearty breakfast and delicious lunches 7 days a week.

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    • Location: Near the Treehouse Visitor Centre, Botanic Gardens, Wellington
  • Little Sparks - Blenheim

    At Little Sparks we have a commitment to providing high quality support, educational resources, activities and ongoing professional development, all of which are provided at no additional cost to our Little Sparks carers and families.

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  • Akaroa Head Scenic Reserve

    40 minutes return, 1.1 km. From Akaroa, take the Akaroa Lighthouse Road - 11 km of steep, narrow rough road, suitable for four wheel-drive vehicles. From the car park wander down the road, entering the reserve through a gate; take the road down past the foundations of the lighthouse keeper’s house and other buildings, to the site of the old lighthouse (now relocated at Akaroa). From here, follow the old supply road, constructed 1878–79, which ends at an iron ladder descending to a rock shelf in Little Haylocks Bay. The walk is suitable for buggies and offers views of towering cliffs. Fur seals/kekeno are seen in the bay, with local colonies of white-fronted terns/tara, black-backed gulls/karoro and white-flippered penguins/kororä.

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    • Location: Akaroa Lighthouse Road
  • First Steps Matau Street - Alexandra

    First Steps Matau Street childcare in Alexandra, believes in providing a programme and environment where children grow and learn in an unhurried, respectful way. Teachers provide encouragement, warmth and acceptance of each child’s special skills, talents and interests.

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  • Lynmore Playcentre - Rotorua

    This playcentre backs onto a reserve and has a warm, friendly atmosphere with hot beverages for the adults and organised family social activities. They welcome you to drop in and have a look around.

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  • Ponsy Kids Preschool

    The Ponsonby Community Centre is a non-profit organization which provides a stimulating and friendly environment for preschool aged children. They offer morning, afternoon or full day sessions and a minimum booking of two sessions applies.

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  • Surry Park Early Learning Centre - Invercargill

    We know that the early years are critical for healthy development both now, and in the future. Children learn and grow best in an environment where they feel happy and secure and that's what we focus on.  We also know how to support parents making these decisions and offer any help we can.

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  • Willows Early Learning Centre Cromwell

    At Willows we believe that developing positive reciprocal relationships with tamariki, family/whanau, caregivers and the wider community as essential to tamariki’s holistic development. As a team we aim to nurture and grow relationships that embrace respect
    and open communication, the tamariki will develop trusting and respectful relationships with their teachers and the environment.

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  • Porse Network – In Home Childcare

    For affordable in-home childcare for newborns to school age children, PORSE offers simply good old-fashioned childcare with a modern spin. They offer four childcare options where children are looked after in a home setting and families can choose an educator that best suits their child. Check their website for other suburbs in the area.

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  • Pohara Beach Top 10 Holiday Park

    Take all the hassle out of your holidays with absolute beachfront camping renowned for its family atmosphere and safe swimming beach for the kids. Take a walk in the famous Abel Tasman National Park or enjoy our parkside cafes and bars. We have a variety of accommodation options, including two bedroom deluxe motel units- fully self-contained and ideal for families, powered and tent sites, comfortable well equipped standard and kitchen cabins, and fully-serviced luxury motels. Paraplegic facilities are also available. All motel units have two bedrooms and a divan in the lounge, and are fully equipped with kitchen, TV, radio, heaters and electric blankets.

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  • Molyneux Educare

    A community based, family focused preschool in Cromwell for children age 0-5.

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  • Gwen Rogers Kindergarten - Mt Manganui

    We believe children learn best through direct experiences that are initiated by the child within their play, incorporating challenges and cooperative ventures; and that children learn at their own pace in a holistic way. We provide a rich and stimulating environment that provides for open ended exploration. Sessions: Monday to Friday - 8.15am to 12.30pm. Tuesday & Thursday - 1.15pm to 3.15pm.

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  • Rob Roy Glacier

    Talk about bang for your buck! This is a 10km return track in the West Matukituki valley. It's about an hour drive from Wanaka along a gravel road with some stream crossings. The trail can be steep in some areas and there is a unstable slip on the lower section of the trail which has a steep drop off and requires care when crossing. You are rewarded with stunning views of the Rob Roy Glacier - a great spot to have your lunch and watch the playful Kea, just please don't feed them.

     

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    • Location: Raspberry Creek Car Park
      Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Rd
      Mount Aspiring 9382
Map of New Zealand
  • Central Otago
  • Auckland
  • Bay of Plenty
  • Christchurch
  • Dunedin
  • Coromandel
  • Gisborne
  • Fiordland
  • Marlborough Sounds
  • Manawatu
  • Northland
  • North Canterbury
  • Queenstown
  • South Canterbury
  • Taranaki
  • Southland
  • Taupo
  • Wanaka
  • Waikato
  • Wellington
  • West Coast
  • Whangarei
  • Bay of Islands
  • Tauranga
  • Gisborne
  • Hamilton
  • Napier
  • Kapiti
  • Palmerston North
  • Whanganui
  • New Plymouth
  • Arrowtown
  • Te Anau
  • Akaroa
  • Ashburton
  • Hanmer
  • Kaikoura
  • Methven
  • Mt Cook
  • Oamaru
  • Tekapo
  • Timaru
  • Abel Tasman
  • Motueka
  • Nelson Lakes
  • Blenheim
  • Picton
  • Catlins
  • Gore
  • Stewart Island
  • Central Plateau
  • Invercargill
  • Cromwell
  • Greymouth
  • Hokitika
  • Westport
  • Glenorchy

Our favourite destinations…

Auckland

New Zealand’s economic heart and biggest city is also an exciting family visitor destination, situated on a sunny harbour with city beaches just minutes away from the CBD. Orientate yourself by heading down to Viaduct Harbour, wandering the waterfront, checking out the super yachts or enjoying the waterfront restaurants. Nearby is the must-visit Sky Tower along with excellent and kid-friendly museums and tons of exciting activities!

Wellington

Wellington is New Zealand’s capital. Here you will find New Zealand's parliament buildings, including the 'Executive Wing', more well-known as 'The Beehive' due to its distinctive shape. Another icon to look out for is the Wellington Tram, which was the main means of public transport between 1878 and 1964.

Christchurch

With a population of around 400,000 Christchurch, in Canterbury, is the South Island ’s largest city, yet much of it has the feel of a small town. Perhaps that’s why it’s known as the Garden City but with the expansive Hagley Park, Botanic Gardens, Port Hills, River Avon and numerous beaches the city certainly has an open, relaxed feel that’s hard to beat.

Queenstown

With its well-deserved reputation as New Zealand’s activity adventure capital you’ll never run out of activities and things to do in Queenstown, but you may run out of time! With breathtaking scenery, activities and festivals, cafes and restaurants, skiing and snowboarding, shopping and wineries, this lakeside alpine resort rates as one of the world’s top vacation destinations for all ages and seasons.

Rotorua

Rotorua sits on the shore of Lake Rotorua, one of sixteen lakes in the area formed by hundreds of thousands of years of eruptions from the Taupo Volcanic Zone. The area is renowned for its geothermal activity and top of any activity list is to see the bubbling mud pools that are around the region for yourself. The Waimangu Volcanic Valley offers a first hand insight into the devastation caused by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera and is a great place to discover steaming volcanic craters and bubbling, spitting  pools of mud!

Nelson and Golden Bay

The Nelson and Golden Bay regions, at the top of the South Island, boast enviable sunshine hours, glorious sandy beaches, safe swimming spots, lots of wildlife to look out for, and Abel Tasman National Park - an absolute must to explore, on foot, by kayak, your own craft or watertaxi.  Nelson is home to a vibrant arts and crafts community with a fabulous Saturday market, and is close to award-winning wineries and family-friendly bike tracks to take you around the coast.

Hawkes Bay

Napier was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake and is now known as NZ's Art Deco City.  The Art Deco influence has created a unique city – nowhere else can you see such a varied concentration of art deco style. With over 2,200 sunshine hours a year, Napier is a year-round holiday destination with countless activities to entertain the kids – there's days of entertainment on Marine Parade alone, plus numerous other family-friendly trips and activities.  Add to that the beaches, walks and flat cycle paths, outdoor cafes and entertainment, and you have a perfect holiday destination!

Northland

Beautiful, unspoiled beaches, fishing, historic gum fields, kauri forests – the Far North has it all. With subtropical temperatures, it's often known as ‘the Winterless north', with warm, humid summers and mild winters.
Gateway to the Bay of Islands, Paihia is a pretty, lively beachside town and a perfect base for your family holiday. It’s your start point for Bay of Island adventures including day cruises, sailing, kayaking, swimming with dolphins and reef or wreck diving.