Friendly New Zealand is a great place for your next family vacation. Stunning natural scenery, pristine lakes and beautiful hiking trails mean that there is an ample opportunity for fun outdoor activities wherever you go. Each city in New Zealand offers a variety of entertaining activities, from surfing to wagon rides led by Clydesdale horses, that kids and adults will enjoy. Here are Tripping.com’s 8 best family destinations in New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Best Family Destinations
1. Wellington
Take your family to Daytona Raceway Wellington to play mini-golf, paintball, and go go-karting. Another great family destination in Wellington is Junglerama Adventure Playground, where your kids will tire themselves out as they climb through obstacle courses and go on inflatable slides.
2. Auckland
As New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland has plenty to offer to every family. If you’ve always wanted to try surfing, now is your chance. Tamariki Tours Surf School can teach you and your children how to surf safely, even if everyone is a beginner. If your children are 10 years old or older, take them to the Sky Tower, where you can see panoramic views of New Zealand as you bravely jump down from the 328 meter tower.
3. Rotorua
Take your children to the Agrodome to see a live farm show, feed lambs, and even go on a tractor-drawn trailer tour. Pet more animals and walk through a house of Monarch butterflies at Amazeme. While at Amazeme, you can also go through the maze of 1.4 kilometers of hedges and see how long it takes for your family to find a way out! If you’re family is feeling more adventurous, try going parasailing above Lake Rotorua.
4. Hamilton
Hamilton is a great destination if your kids love animals. You can go to the Hamilton Zoo to see rare animals and go to Pirongia Clydesdales to go on a wagon ride with Clydesdale horses. Hamilton is also home to the scenery used in several films, including The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
5. Dunedin
If your kids love art, check out the Dunedin Street Art Trail. The trail has 25 walls covered in art by artists from around the world. Visit the Cadbury factory to see how delicious chocolate is made (and then get to try it for yourself!) If your kids are fascinated by the Guinness Book of Records, you can take them to the steepest street in the world! See how far you can walk up Baldwin Street, which is in the North East Valley of Dunedin.
6. Palmerston North
If you’re visiting Palmerston North City in the summer, Lido Aquatic Centre is a great place to spend a day cooling down and having fun. The Lido Aquatic Centre has a lazy river, water slides, and outdoor pools. Spend some time exploring the Victoria Esplanade, which is a large park filled with gardens and hiking trails.
7. Christchurch
While staying in Christchurch, check out Adrenalin Forest, which is a unique adventure park located in the middle of the woods. See a real kiwi at the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, where your kids can also feed a variety of animals. You can also spend a day going on a treasure hunt on Quail Island.
8. Tauranga
Tauranga is an ideal vacation destination since it is right on the beach. You can go swimming with dolphins through Orca Wild Adventures. Spend a day at the Adventure Park where you can take your family kayaking and rock climbing.