New Zealand School Holidays Adventures

With school holidays about to start, we've collated a list of ideas that doesn't involve skiing but can help boost local business and give you some options if you’re planning to get away.   

Rotorua

A firm favourite with families with so much on offer.  Hot pools, bubbling mud, luge rides and Rotorua’s newest attraction, the amazing Redwoods Tree Walks.  It’s the closest you’ll get to feeling like a bird suspended high above the forest floor, encountering 75-metre-tall redwoods as you walk across bridges and platforms.  The nightlights tree tour is a must! Winner of 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Award.  (image: treewalk.co.nz)

Beaches

The coromandel is a definite must for beach lovers.  Pauanui, Whangamata, Hahei, Cathedral Cove, Tairua and Cooks Beach as just some of the golden sand beauties to be found. Rug up warm, take the dog and enjoy lunch at one of the hundreds of cafes to be found in this area of the North Island. (image stuff.co.nz)

In the South Island, just outside of Nelson and on the doorstep of the Abel Tasman National Park you’ll find Kaiteriteri Beach.  A stunning place for kayaking, watching boats and ferries come and go, and a camping ground immediately across the road.  Pack up the kids and campervan and spend a few days exploring the area.

Great ideas for indoor fun

If the weather turns to custard, trampoline parks, such as Jump, offer all-day holiday programmes to keep kids active and the chance to meet up with friends.

Wellingtonian kids aged 5-12 years, can head to Capital E for Digital Day!  Kids will work together to film a funny TV show before heading over to MediaLab to explore a digital creativity session.

Not forgetting those teenagers, Yoobee College in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Rotorua have an extensive range of exciting digital editing and film making courses for 13-18 year olds with 2,3 and 4-day packages. (image: futurefive.co.nz)