Auckland Attractions for Families
Kids bored? Get your wallet out and try one of these fun family activities. We reckon we’ve found the best family attractions Auckland has to offer.
Snowplanet
Take the family to the snow. Snowplanet is an indoor ski slope in Silverdale 20 minutes drive from downtown Auckland. Try skiing, snowboarding or snow tubing and enjoy the 7Summits Restaurant and bar. Great fun for the whole family. The terrain park offers a challenge to riders of all levels. A perfect activity for teens.
Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari
Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf has a year round population of bryde’s whales (a close relative of humpback whales). There’s bottlenose and common dolphins all year round. Migrating humpback whales, pygmy blue whales and the occasional sperm whale too. There’s also frequent visits from Orca pods, looking for stingray to eat.
Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari is not cheap but it is totally worth the money and more. If you’ve never seen a whale before it is an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss this family activity while you’re staying in Auckland. My family absolutely loved it, and we got to go twice because we only saw 2 dolphins the first time. The second trip was free. Totally awesome customer service.
Kelly Tarltons
Swim with the sharks at Kelly Tarltons Aquarium on Auckland’s waterfront. You’ll be mesmerised by the playful penguins. This aquarium is one of Auckland’s top attractions, popular with tourists and local families. It’s a great day out with kids, and it’s indoors so it’s a great activity on a rainy day.
Rainbows End
Rainbows End is New Zealand’s largest Theme Park with over 20 rides and attractions. The Kids Kingdom offers plenty of rides for little kids while the main theme park offers thrills for teenagers and adults. Check out the big 5 thrill rides. Great fun for the whole family in South Auckland.
MOTAT
The Museum of Transport and Technology is a love it or hate it family attraction. It’s a little bit to educational to be really fun for most people. But transport enthusiasts (or train nerds as some call them) will love it. Much of it is indoors so it’s better than the Zoo on a rainy Auckland day.
Rocket Ropes
Rocket Ropes is another great activity for your brood. Conveniently located near Auckland Airport next door to Butterfly Creek. It’s is great for adventurous kids and young teenagers. If your scared of heights then this will be a challenge.
Wero White Water Park
Wero White Water Park is man made whitewater rafting and kayaking at it’s best. This is an awesome activity. With rafting activities suited to young children and adults alike with an optional 10m waterfall, Wero has something for the whole family. You’re going to get wet if you come here so be prepared.
Auckland Zoo
Auckland Zoo is a great family day out. With a wide variety of animals from New Zealand and around the world. See kiwi, tuatara and NZ’s cheeky kea. As well as lions, tigers, giraffes, hippos, zebras, rhinos and elephants.
Butterfly Creek
Butterfly Creek is located next to Auckland Airport. It’s grown to include a lot more than just butterflies. Attractions now include crocodiles and kiwi (in seperate enclosures), as well as a dinosaur exhibit. This activity is better suited to families with younger children.
Lock’n Load Adventures
Are the kids driving you crazy? If so lock’n load adventures is the place for you. This activity is perfect for families with older kids or teenagers. They offer laser tag, paintball, and arrow tag. Located near to Auckland Airport hotels.
Silverdale Adventure Park
Silverdale Adventure Park offers activities suitable for families with kids up to about 12 years old. Teenagers may have fun too but there are probably other activities better suited like nearby Snowplanet.
EcoZip Adventures (Waiheke Island)
EcoZip Adventures is great fun for families with older kids or teenagers. You’ll need to have a head for heights or be looking to challenge yourself, it’s really high. This is actually pretty scary for adults as well as kids but it is great fun. Take the ferry to Waiheke and EcoZip can pick you up from the wharf. A fun family day out. Or stay the night on Waiheke Island and make it a great weekend.
Glenbrook Vintage Railway
This is a pretty sedate activity, great if you have older grandparents joining you on a family day out. It’s also great for train enthusiasts. It’s a vintage steam train that takes you from Glenbrook to Waiuku, return. Waiuku is a small rural town. There’s plenty of places to find some lunch or bring a picnic. Tourists be warned, Waiuku is a small rural town, keep your dining expectations low and you won’t be disappointed.
Sheep World
Sheep World is located in Warkworth just north of Auckland. It’s a rural farm experience for families who have never been on a farm before. You can see sheep being sheared, or watch sheep dogs round up sheep and herd them into a pen. It’s good for younger kids and people who have an interest in animals.
Treasure Island Adventure Mini Golf
This is a large well maintained mini golf course near the Auckland Airport. They have two separate courses, both with a pirate theme. (Caribbean style pirates not Somalian). It’s fun if you like mini golf. While the course itself is excellent and it’s well themed it’s not the most scenic location for a mini golf course. If you prefer a course in a nicer location then try Lilliput in Mission Bay instead.
Lilliput Mini Golf
This is the best located mini golf course in Auckland. Lilliput have several courses scattered around Auckland. If you are nearby and want to play they are all fine. However if your a visitor to Auckland the only one we recommend is located on Tamaki Drive between Mission Bay and the City. It’s right on the waterfront, combine a game or two with lunch in Mission Bay for a great family day out.
Sky Tower
At 328m Sky Tower is the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. Day or night the views from the observation deck are spectacular. Dining options range from a cafe to fine dining in the revolving restaurant. This is a firm favorite with my kids even after visiting many times.
Auckland Museum
Auckland Museum is a truly world class Museum. With constantly changing exhibits housed in the stunning Auckland Domain. There is plenty of activities for younger kids and lots of great stuff for adults too. If you love Museums this is a good one. If your not that fussed with history this museum is good enough you’ll probably enjoy it anyway.
New Zealand Maritime Museum
This Museum is in a great location in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour. It’s great if you like boats and young kids seem to enjoy it too. If you go then make sure you go out on the water as well. The sailing is an optional extra but it’s the best part and well worth it if you haven’t been sailing in Auckland already. Combine it with lunch in one of the many excellent restaurants for a fantastic family outing.
Torpedo Bay Navy Museum
The Navy Museum is located in Torpedo Bay. A short walk from the Devonport wharf. It’s a small museum with some interesting stuff. Entry is free which is great if you’re on a budget. There’s a cafe with incredible views of the city across the harbour. The museum itself will take 1/2 an hour to 1 hour depending on your interest level. Super enthusiasts may be able to make a day of it, but there is a lot to see and do in area in walking distance. While your here make sure you bring a torch (flashlight) and check out the nearby tunnels in North Head. Given the price (free) this is an incredible family outing. Take the ferry across from Auckland, stop for lunch in Devonport. Climb Mt Victoria and North Head. Have some fish and chips in the park or a swim at Cheltenham beach. There is a full day of cheap but fun activities to be had here so it’s a great family activity in Auckland.
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