Wellington, Family Activities

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  • Ages 12+

    Zealandia by Night - Kiwi Tour

    This special night tour of New Zealand's ZEALANDIA is one of the best places to see Kiwis in the wild in all of NZ! A truly unique experience, you'll join your friendly guide for a torchlit walk through ZEALANDIA's amazing Sanctuary Valley as it comes alive under the cover of nightfall - many of the cutest species of New Zealand are nocturnal, so this is the time to see them at their most active.

    The sights - Kiwis rummaging around the forest, tuatara on the hunt for a meal, shimmering glow worms, kaka parrots settling into their roost - combine with the sounds of the New Zealand forest to make for a magical experience great for both adults and kids alike. Grab your ticket online to take part in what world renowned travel guide Lonely Planet dubbed a "life-changing experience - book now to experience ZEALANDIA for yourself!

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  • Ages 6+

    Adrenalin Forest

    Take a walk in the treetops! This is an adventure park in the heart of the forest, testing your agility and balance in a safe and controlled, but of course, super-fun environment! ... read more

  • Ages 13+

    Bike Tours - Electric Bike Guided Tours

    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.

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  • Zealandia by Day - Guided Experience

    Tighten up your walking shoes and get ready to explore one of New Zealand's best wildlife attractions. ZEALANDIA in Wellington is home to an incredible amount of native animals including the famous Kiwi. A visit to ZEALANDIA will get you up close to a range of animals while also learning about the country's wildlife history.

    This experience provides you with entry to the park as well as a guided 2-hour tour of the grounds. An informative tour hosting a maximum of 10 people, this is one of the best ways to learn about the region, the animals that have and do live in the region and more!

    With the help of a knowledgeable guide, you'll be able to see and learn about native birds such as the Kaka, Hihi, Tieke, Kakariki and Kiwi as well as Tuataras.

    Tous depart on a daily basis at 10am, 11am and 1pm from the Visitor Centre.

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  • Te Korōria - Meet | Play | Connect

    Te Korōria is a community-run cafe with an indoor, 3-level soft play facility.  It's a social enterprise with all profit going back into the community and is a sunny, friendly plac... read more

  • Staglands Wildlife Reserve and Cafe

    Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Cafe is the perfect 'must see' attraction for families that provides visitors with the unique and exciting opportunity to connect with nature in a beau... read more

  • Ages 4+

    Hutt River Grade 2 Family Rafting Tour

    A scenic Wellington whitewater rafting tour along the lower section of Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River Gorge is the perfect introduction to the watersport for beginners and families. Come and experience the natural beauty within Wellington during a paddle down small rapids and rock jumps.

    Starting at the beginning of the Grade 2 section of the river, learn how to paddle before being guided through easy rapids with expert guides. There is also an opportunity to stop for photos by a cascading waterfall and take a dip in the refreshing waters. The scenic white water rafting tour is ideal for first timers and families allowing you to build your confidence before tackling the more challenging Grade 3 wilderness tour.

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  • Kiwi Guardian Outdoor Adventures

    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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  • Carter Observatory

    Bring your family and friends and take a virtual journey through space in Carter's Pelorus Trust Planetarium – a state-of-the-art full-dome digital theatre, then take your own steps through space as you walk through the world-class interactive multimedia space experience. A varied timetable of Planetarium Shows includes a dynamic and thrilling show and a guided tour of the night sky. Telescope viewing, historical astronomical artifacts and our spacey shop will complete your family experience.

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    • Phone: 04 910 3140
    • Location: Botanic Garden, at the top of the Cable Car, Wellington
  • Fergs Kayaks & Indoor Climbing Wall

    Fergs Kayaks and Indoor Climbing are home to the largest indoor real rock wall in NZ!  This 13 metre high wall offers something for everyone whether you are an absolute beginner or complete climbing whizz.  There are heaps of kids climbing options available during the school term, in the holidays or for a Sunday morning session.  Birthday Parties are awesome at Fergs, with freedom hire climb parties for 8 or more friends on weekdays or weekends – or come and experience the fun and excitement of Fergs Adventure Birthdays – bring the kids along for an adventure race that includes unlocking clues and challenges either by rock, inline skating or paddling to win your way to victory and prizes! Fergs Kayaks also have a great range of hire options for SUPs, bicycles, inline skate hire and kayaks. 

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    • Phone: 04 499 8898
    • Location: Shed 6, Queens Wharf, Wellington
  • Green Jersey Cycle Tours - Martinborough

    Out and about in Martinborough you'll visit 2 child friendly wineries a small farm with friendly animals and an olive grove where the kids can do some tasting. Our friendly guide will entertain the kids while you taste the wine. Includes picnic lunch, tasting fees and bike or rickshaw hire. Departs 11am, allow 4 hours, available at weekends and on public holidays only. Bike hire also available that includes family and tag-a-long bikes, phone for details.

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    • Phone: 021 074 6640
    • Location: opposite the Martinborough I-site, Kitchener St, Martinborough
  • Bowlarama

    Great family entertainment - 12 fully-electronic / automatic lanes and scoring, Kiddy bumpers on all lanes for children, Comfortable seating, 2 Projection screens for your viewing pleasure, Stylish bowling shoes.

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    • Phone: 04 920 0200
    • Location: 52 Hall St Newtown, Wellington
  • Kilbirnie Recreation Centre

    This modern facility is designed for all those fans of wheelbased activities like skateboards, bikes, scooters and skates. Kilbirnie has a 20m by 40m concrete rink with a barrier and safety netting and removable ramps and obstacles. The centre is also home to Tinytown, a preschool play space with a safe, fun, interactive play area and ride-on toys. Phone Kilbirnie for details on skate and Tinytown sessions.

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    • Phone: 04 387 1491
    • Location: 101 Kilbirnie Crescent, Kilbirnie
  • Wellington Cable Car

    The Cable Car is one of Wellington’s oldest and most popular tourist attractions. Cars depart every ten minutes from Lambton Quay in the heart of the city and run under the corporate towers of The Terrace, emerging in Kelburn and ending up at the top of Upland Road where the Lookout, Carter Observatory and Cable Car Museum are located.

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    • Phone: 04 472 2199
    • Location: 280 Lambton Quay, Wellington
  • Nga Manu Nature Rerserve

    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.

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    • Phone: 0)4 293 4131
    • Location: 281 Ngarara Road, Waikanae, Kapiti Coast
  • Murrayfield Clydesdales - nr Levin

    Experience New Zealand’s pioneering heritage and learn how your ancestors lived in the days before washing machines and running water! The museum at Murrayfield has lots of exhibits to teach the children how life used to be, including items from a general store, chemist and how people saw movies before the advent of videos and DVDs. The miniature town of Helenstown depicts a typical town around the early 1900s, complete with miniature train and water fountain. Meet the beautiful Clydesdale horses in the stables and stop at the café for light refreshments and a view of animals grazing in the green paddocks beneath the Tararua Ranges.

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    • Phone: 06 367 8166
    • Location: Corner Potts Road and State Highway 57
  • Laughalots Playland

    Wellingtons' Newest Indoor Playground, and the only playland in the region to have FREE amusement rides! Giant indoor climbing frame, Giant inflatable slide, Dancing Car Merry Go Round FREE! Carousels FREE! Dedicated Toddler area with own carousel, climbing frame, bouncy castle and more. Great Cafe serving good food and coffee. Dedicated Party Rooms for the best party in town,. Party Supplies and novelties.

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    • Phone: 04 589 9621
    • Location: 499 Hutt Rd, Station Village Complex, Alicetown, Lower Hutt
  • H2O XStream - Upper Hutt

    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.

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    • Phone: 04 527 2113
    • Location: Corner Blenheim and Brown Streets, Upper Hutt, Wellington
  • Capital E

    For all those budding actors, technicians and television presenters Capital E is the place to go! Capital E present professional theatre, hands-on exhibitions, events and school holiday programmes as well as offering children exciting opportunities to work creatively in their video and sound engineering suite and fully equipped television studio.

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    • Phone: 04 913 3740
    • Location: Civic Square, Wellington City (PO Box 3386)
  • New Zealand Police Museum

    The New Zealand Police Museum collects evidence of our history in action. Historical objects and original evidence are used in displays that tell the story of the formation of New Zealand's Police as well as their changing role in all areas of law enforcement. Many major historical events also feature, including the 1913 strikes, 1981 Springbok Tour, the Erebus plane disaster and the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. This is a great family friendly activity that will interest kids of all ages. Guided tours can be booked on request and adapted to suit differing ages. There is a Museum shop with collectable memorabilia, novelty gifts, postcards and toys along with the widest range of policing history books in New Zealand. General admission is free and guided tours $5 per adult and $3 per child.

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    • Phone: 04 238 3141
    • Location: Royal New Zealand Police College, Papakowhai Road, Porirua, Wellington
  • Junglerama Adventure Playground

    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.

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    • Phone: 04 9200 200
    • Location: 52 Hall St, Newtown, Wellington
  • The Heritage Centre

    Take a walk through time with a visit to the Department of Corrections’ Heritage Centre.  As well as the history of corrections in New Zealand, the centre looks at Corrections today, with multi-media displays showcasing our modern facilities. Open Monday-Friday, 7.30am - 5pm.

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    • Phone: 04 460 3000
    • Location: Ground floor Mayfair House 44-52 The Terrace Wellington.
  • Cable Car Museum

    The award-winning Cable Car Museum brings to life the story of Wellington's iconic cable cars. Situated within the original Winding House, the Museum is home to two of the original grip cars and the historic winding machinery once used to haul the cars through a series of tunnels up the steep incline.

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    • Phone: 04 475 3578
    • Location: 1a Upland Road Kelburn Wellington
  • Ages 3+

    The Circus Hub

    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.

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    • Phone: 04 380 0051
    • Location: 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown, Wellington
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.