Looking for things to do in the school holidays? From short walks and native wildlife to intriguing heritage experiences and virtual reality – we’ve picked eight school holiday activities around New Zealand, perfect for family-friendly fun.
1. Kororipo Heritage Park, Northland
Kororipo Heritage Park in Kerikeri is one of Aotearoa’s most important historic sites. This is where Māori and Europeans lived side by side and where some of the most important early meetings between the two cultures took place. Incredibly picturesque and jam-packed with heritage experiences that span over 500 years of our country’s history, set aside at least half a day to discover the park’s many highlights. Explore Kororipo Pā which was built as a strategic site for northern Māori. 200 years ago the pā was the headquarters of Ngāpuhi chief Hongi Hika, a skilled leader in war and trade. A short track leads to a fortified lookout and stunning view over the Kerikeri Basin. Visit Kerikeri Mission Station which was established by the Church Missionary Society in 1819 under the protection of chief Hongi Hika who was keen to harness the trade and technology of Europe. At the heart of the Mission Station are two of the country’s oldest buildings, Kemp House and the Stone Store, our country’s oldest trading store.
Other things to do in Northland:
- Visit Tāne Mahuta, New Zealand's largest kauri tree
- Ride the giant Te Paki sand dunes
- Find 10 great things to do in the Northland region
2. Auckland City Cycling
Cycling Auckland’s waterfront makes for a flat, entertaining and family-friendly bike ride. You can begin near Westhaven Marina at the foot of the Harbour Bridge and ride, mostly on designated cycle paths, for 13 easy kilometres along the coastline to St Heliers. Cycle past the forest of masts in the marina, through the vibrant hospitality precincts of Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter and the Viaduct, to Tamaki Drive where you’ll wind your way around Auckland’s curvaceous coast to finish at St Heliers Beach. There are plenty of diversions to enjoy along the way, from hot coffees to refreshing paddles at any of the many beaches and bays. The seaside promenade path is popular with active types, especially on weekends, so be mindful of other riders, walkers and dogs and remember to keep left.
Other things to do in Auckland:
- Discover one of Auckland's best playgrounds at Whoa! Studios
- Pick one of these eight great family days out in Auckland
- Go whitewater rafting in Manukau City
3. The Landing, Taupō
The newest entertainment precinct in Taupō is found near the airport in Wharewaka and is aptly named The Landing. Packed full of all-weather family fun, including tenpin bowling, a multi-level playground, ninja course and a state of the art virtual reality studio, The Landing is an all-in-one destination for a great day out. Kids can burn off the rush from obscenely large thickshakes and ice creams at Suga Mummas with a session at the next-door bounce park, and adults can enjoy great coffee in the stylish Scandi-inspired Café Lacus or grab a bite at Top Gun-themed gastropub, Mavericks.
Other things to do in Taupō:
- Find 4 fun activities for a weekend in Taupō
- Visit the famous Huka Falls
- Discover 12 unusual things to do in Taupō
4. Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
At Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre at Mount Bruce in Wairarapa you’ll find a veritable laundry list of New Zealand’s avian wildlife: gregarious kākā, colourful kākāriki, the rare blue-wattled kōkako and the beautiful takahē. And if you prefer scales to feathers, the legendary tuatara are here as well, 200 million years old and counting. With all these species either vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered this is a unique opportunity to see them all in one place. It also gives you a real understanding of New Zealand itself and the wild and exotic creatures that once flourished here. Like going on a kind of ecological timewarp.
Other things to do in Wairarapa:
- Discover family-friendly Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton
- Visit the famous lighthouse at Castlepoint
- Walk to the incredible Putangirua Pinnacles
5. Orokonui Eco Sanctuary
Spread across more than 300 hectares, the Orokonui Ecosanctuary has been the landmark biodiversity project on Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island). You can book guided tours or wander with your best bird-spotting binoculars, getting up close with some of our most special native species: birds, eels, lizards and fungi. And while it may be a visitor from across the ditch, the eucalyptus forest here is also home to New Zealand’s tallest tree.
Other things to do in Otago:
- Visit the iconic Moeraki Boulders
- Explore Steampunk HQ in Ōamaru
- Take a trip back in time at Larnach Castle, Dunedin
6. Rob Roy Glacier Track
The drive the start of the Rob Roy Glacier Track, the slightly preposterous-sounding Raspberry Creek Car Park, is almost as adventurous as the walk to the top of the glacier, featuring multiple river crossings. But this stunning track, which takes you into Mount Aspiring National Park is worth the rugged drive. The hanging glaciers beneath Mt Rob Roy are magnificent; waterfalls scythe down the cliffs, great chunks of mountain seem to frame every view... and persistent kea will attempt to steal anything not nailed down.
Other things to do near Queenstown:
- Try bungy jumping in Queenstown
- Do the world's highest waterfall climb via ferrata in Wānaka
- Find 5 great days out with kids in Queenstown
7. Transport World
Transport World is the first and largest tourist attraction in Invercargill. It's also the biggest automotive museum of its type in the world. Founded by the late Bill Richardson, a classic car collector and aficionado, the centre takes a journey through automotive history. It is vast –sprawling over 15,000m2; an entire city block through a purpose-built entrance and event space and then winding through a series of cavernous warehouses. The vehicle collection is immaculate, most of them painstakingly restored and 90% still roadworthy. Alongside many makes and models of classic cars, there are rare vehicles including the only 1914 Stuart in the world, and a wooden-spoked 1911 Koehler. There are also classic tractors, wearable arts, 250 beautifully-restored historic petrol pumps, a vintage tea towel collection, children’s pedal cars, die cast toy cars and a chronological collection of jukeboxes dating from 1935 until the 1980s.
Other things to do in Southland:
- Catch the ferry to Ulva Island, Southland
- Drive a digger at Dig This Invercargill
- Visit the quirky Lost Gypsy in The Catlins
8. Reefton
Driving into historic Reefton is like arriving on a Wild West movie set. What hits you first are the brightly-painted historic buildings lining both sides of Broadway. Beautifully restored by proud locals, they beckon you to stop and fossick for a quirky keepsake. Before you know it you’ll be panning for gold with the very bearded Bearded Miners and asking why the art gallery has a painted-over hole in the floor. Quartzopolis is what they used to call this quartz gold mining boom town, and that name still seems to fit. Gold is not Reefton’s only claim to fame. There’s also the light. In 1888 Reefton became the first place in the southern hemisphere to have commercial electric lighting, beating posh suburbs in New York and London. The forty-minute Bottled Lighting Powerhouse walk takes you past the remains of where the electricity was generated, especially handy if you need to walk off one of the town’s legendary pub meals.
