Wellington, Family Activities

Jump on your electric bike and enjoy a fun, light hearted and engaging tour of Wellington. Departing from the Waterfront you will set out on a journey to enjoy picturesque panoramic views of Wellington's spectacular scenery and discover it's colourful history.

The electric bikes are easy to use and suitable for any level of fitness, if you can ride a bike you can ride the electric bikes!

Electric Bays Guided Tour

Half day trip where your guide will navigate you from the Waterfront to Wellington's quiet bays.

Self Guided Full Tour

This is a great full day tour where you can travel at your own pace throughout the day. You will be given instructions and a cycle map and left to your own devices to discover whatever you wish to!

The Rimutaka Rail Trail can be explored by taking the bikes on a train then riding from Maymorn to Featherston.  This is a world class track well away from the city. Pack your lunch, take your camera and ride the old railway line taking in the New Zealand forest and history.

Minimum age 13 years.

The Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve is home to over 63 species of birds (at some time during the year), many of these can be seen in their natural and native habitats during a Bird tour with Mik Peryer
Mik offers his services as a Tour Guide around the Estuary; and he also presents very interesting and informative talks about the Waikanae Estuary Birdlife for a range of audiences.
Stroll along the sandspit/riverbank and enjoy the magnificent scenery while observing the current residents which may include Caspian Terns, Royalspoonbills, Shags, Dabchicks, Scaup, Herons, Shovelers, Pukeko and many more species of birds who reside in the Estuary.

Kids only $2!

Discover Wellington with an easy-paced 2 to 2-1/2 hour walk. Departs the i-SITE Visitor Centre every day at 10am. Local guides introduce you to the vibrant culture, history and hidden treasures that you won't find in a guide book.

Wellington is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a rich history as New Zealand's capital.
Walk Wellington tours give you an opportunity to get to know the city in a short time with enthusiastic and knowledgeable local guides. Our tours visit key sights in the city centre, including Civic Square, Queen's Wharf, the Supreme Court, the Old Government Buildings, the grounds of Parliament, and Old St Paul's Cathedral.

A Great Guided Scenic Tour & Wellington’s 11 Best Hop On and Off Stops
Hop on board one of our 20 seat buses and traverse Wellington's narrow and winding streets on our intimate and informative one and a half hour guided tour.
Soak up breathtaking views, fascinating architecture, eclectic suburbs and beautiful coastal scenery while our local guides tell you all about Wellington's unique culture, history and city life.

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.

Take part in a guided tour and meet all the alpacas from the smallest cria (baby) to the largest stud male, and learn their stories.  You'll be introduced to Jake and Bracken, our miniature alpacas, and you’ll be give the chance to cuddle them and their alpaca friends, and take them for a walk! Children under 15 are free, allow 2 hours.

Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre gives you a chance to get up close and personal with native friends. Animal lovers can get into the wild with entrance to the park for adults, children or a family pass.

The wildlife centre offers its visitors interactive galleries and close encounter areas. Guests can see Manukura, the rare white North Island Brown Kiwi and her friend Turua in the kiwi house. The Walking Track – Te Arapiki o Tawhaki, lets you weave through the forest and listen to the birds as they call to each other.

Experience the unique beauty of rural New Zealand. Located only minutes northwest of Wellington – voted the Coolest Little Capital in the World, you’ll find Tussock Ridge Farm Tours, here you will enjoy an unforgettable 4WD journey across three privately-owned working farms in Ohariu Valley.  Tours are guided by a local Ohariu Valley Farmer and owner of one of the 850 acre farms that you will be taken over. You are guaranteed to see a real slice of Kiwi farming by getting up close to some of the many thousands of sheep and helping to feed the beautiful wild Kaimanawa horses and wild eels.  
A highlight of the tour is the journey out to the rugged west coast on the farm to our shepherd’s cabin, situated on the cliffs high above the Cook Strait.  Here you’ll enjoy complimentary afternoon tea with one of the most spectacular views New Zealand has on offer.

There is so much to do at Te Papa for adults and children. There are four child-focused areas with exhibits and activities children can touch, create and have fun with. Be a detective and solve the murder, step inside a dinosaur print or learn about Maori culture. Go back millions of years on the Blastback or try a virtual tour fifty years into the future. For children aged 18 months to five years, StoryPlace offers 45 minute sessions of storytelling, songs, art and more to keep them amused. The events and exhibitions at Te Papa are changing all the time so check the website for current details. The Kids' Store at Te Papa is full of delightful gifts for children that are educational, fun, and distinctively New Zealand and two cafes offer a selection of food and drinks.

Junglerama Adventure Playland and Cafe has endless fun for kids of all ages! Includes a large multi-level climbing structure, Inflatable slide, Inflatable obstacle course, Toddler area with soft toys, Jungle themed party tents and onsite cafe for the parents or kids' time out! Birthday Parties a speciality with food provided.

The place to go to swim, slide or just hang out! Bodysurf the wave pool, ride the slides and experience the thrilling pitch black fast and furious water slide. There is serious swimming in the 25m lane pool, fun in the wave pool and toddlers will enjoy splashing in their very own pool. All pools are heated and a crèche is available weekdays to look after the children while adults enjoy a swim. Friday nights are Teen Time nights and waterslides, waves and river rides operate after 1.30pm on weekdays and 10.30 am at the weekend. The Waves Café has meals, snacks and drinks for after your swim.

The Wellington Museum is home to the intriguing stories of Wellington's social, cultural and maritime history. Exhibitions house precious objects and use stunning special effects bringing the past to life.
The Museum is located in the heart of Wellington's vibrant waterfront - just 2 minutes from Lambton Quay and 8 minutes from Te Papa. We are open every day from 10 am to 5pm (except Christmas Day).
A tour with a friendly and knowledgeable Museum Host is the ideal way to gain a personalised insight into the stories of Wellington.

Take your family or friends on a discovery tour from Oriental Bay to Kumutoto on an Enormous Crocodile quadricycle. These two or four seater, four wheeled, covered cycles are fun for the whole family (but person hiring must be at least 18 years of age).

Wellington’s oldest original cottage is home to the story of the Wallis family who lived there for three generations. A guided tour of Cottage and garden gives a glimpse into the lives of this pioneering New Zealand family. Or you can stroll around the organic heritage garden at any time and visit our resident chickens.

There's plenty to see and do around Eastbourne and Pencarrow - explore Wellington’s wild South Coast, including historic lighthouses and shipwrecks, lakes and wetlands, amazing views of Wellington and the Kaikoura Ranges, and occasional sightings of seals, little blue penguins, dolphins and orca!

Or for a more relaxed experience, grab a bike and cruise Eastbourne’s bays and cafes.

The Circus Hub offer a wide range of classes in a wide range of circus skills for kids, teenagers and adults.  Pre-schooler classes (ages 3-4) are designed to develop motor skills, coordination, balance, spatial awareness and musicality with all the fun and imagination of the circus. Juniors (5-7) classes are imaginative, introducing kids to a wide range of circus apparatus as well as the basics of acrobatics and movement. Kids (8-12) classes offer training on a wide variety of circus disciplines including aerials, acrobatics, juggling, manipulation, and balancing, and their Teen classes (12-18) are designed for students who want quality training in the basic skills involved in circus. Students can expect to have fun with a stimulating range of physical challenges and circus techniques to explore. Casual and term passes available, including great School Holiday Programmes and birthday party options.

A Real Kiwi Nature Experience – along with Tuatara, Kiwi and Silver Fern, Nga Manu has a range of over 700 different plant species along with a diverse range of native animals.

All facilities are designed for wheelchair and pushchair access. Family enjoyment is catered for with many picnic areas and a gas operated BBQ is available on site. Bird feed-out tour (11am daily) follow the staff as they feed the birds. Children love the eel feeding (2pm daily) or feeding the ducks.