Are you bringing the whole family on an adventure to Auckland? You wonât have any trouble finding family-friendly activities for all ages no matter what time of year you visit. One of the best ways to explore the city and the surrounding countryside is using one of the car rentals Auckland which will give you the freedom to travel around the area at your own pace. While itâs almost easier to list what you canât do than can, hereâs our picks of the five must-do family activities when you visit Auckland, New Zealand.
1. Marvel at the wildlife at Auckland Zoo
The 40-acre Auckland Zoo, located near the Western Springs park, is one of the top zoos in the country. It was opened in the early â20s and has long been a favorite with families with kids. As well as having plenty of up-close encounters with a range of exotic fauna (expect giraffes, zebras and cheeky monkeys), there is a packed schedule of special events from behind-the-scene experiences to night safaris. Keep an eye out on the zooâs website for upcoming events and workshops. It doesnât matter whether youâre a kid or a big kid at heart, everyone loves catching a glimpse of the playful elephants.
2. Ski down the runs at Snowplanet
You donât have to visit New Zealand in winter to try your hand at snowy outdoor activities. At Aucklandâs Snowplanet, youâll find the countryâs only indoor snow park with more than 8,000 square metres of ski and snowboard runs, plus kid games and play parks. Donât worry if none of the family have ever skied before, you can always take one of the lessons with the parkâs expert instructors. Those with some experience can join one of the regular freestyle competitions and races.
3. Visit the MOTAT
If youâre a first-timer to Auckland, you wonât want to miss taking the family to the MOTAT, the Museum of Transport and Technology. Inside youâll find a ton of interactive exhibits and displays showcasing everything from vintage planes to old trains. Kids canât fail to have a blast with such enormous vehicles to clamber on and off.
4. Brave the Sky Tower walk
The Sky Tower has been an iconic part of the Auckland skyline for more than 20 years and rises up more than 325 metres. Inside, youâll find it packed with activities and dining for all the family, though most come to brave the skywalk. Harnessed up, the whole family can reach out onto the ledge at 192 metres up and inch along a narrow walkway with no handrails. If you can get over the vertigo, thereâs some magnificent views to take in along the way. Feeling even braver? You can now jump off at SkyJump and plummet more than 192 metres at more than 85 kilometres an hour.
5. Join one of the high rope courses
If youâve scored one of the car rentals Auckland, you can head out to one of several high-rope courses including Rocket Ropes which has more than 50 challenges across three adventure courses or Tree Adventures at Woodhill Forest which have more than ten course runs. After a safety briefing, youâll be harnessed up and released where you can watch the kids clamber and scramble up the ropes and across the walkways.