Wellington, Family Activities

read more

read more

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.

read more

read more

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.

read more

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.

read more

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.

read more

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.

read more

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.

read more

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.

read more

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. 

read more

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.

read more

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.

read more

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.

read more

Cool little spot for a family day out: SUP and sit on top kayak hire, real fruit ice cream, unique lolly shop, bike hire. Grab a kayak (weather dependant) and cruise out to Matiu / Somes Island - about 45 minutes paddle each way.

read more

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.

read more

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.

read more

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.

read more

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.

read more

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.

read more

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.

read more