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.

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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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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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).

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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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The Farm Show is an all weather fun and educational experience including a shearing and milking demonstration, and the chance to handmilk a cow or feed the baby animals with a bottle. Take some food on the farm walk and most of the animals will eat from your hand. There are toilets, a café, restaurant and picnic areas.

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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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Wellington Zoo has more than 500 animals living in enclosures designed to be as natural and similar to the environment they live in as possible. Cheetahs, lions, tigers, reptiles, birds and fish are just some of the animals you can see at the zoo. School and community groups can book a sleepover at the zoo – mattresses, supper and breakfast are all provided. Would you like to hand feed a red panda or a giraffe or spend a day behind the scenes? Book a close encounter at the zoo and enjoy a truly unique animal experience.

Pushchairs are for hire for $20 including a $10 bond. Toilets are situated throughout the zoo and there is a parent’s room in the entrance foyer. Don’t forget to visit the Zoo shop for a fantastic range of soft toys, souvenirs and children’s t-shirts.

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Visit the world of the native New Zealand owl, known as the morepork or ruru. Guided tours range from 30 minutes to 2 hours and there is no barrier between you and the birds so you will see the owls close up. As well as owls, Owlcatraz has two ostriches, deer and other animals. A miniature train near the picnic area will take you to the Lolly Shop and there is also a craft shop.

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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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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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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.

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