Visiting New Zealand in November, need to know about child friendly attractions.?

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Kiwiblue2

I hope you and your family have an awesome time when you come to NZ
My suggestions for Rotorua are..
When you first get here..
Go to the information center which is located on our main road "Fenton Street" to check out if anything is happening on the days that you are here.
Parks
Kuirau Park...Located in central Rotorua...Its free... Has a neat park for the kids to run around and foot pools to soak your sore feet then take a short stroll 2-3 minute walk to the geysers and mud pools.
These are very small compaired to Te Puia but its all in one park area
Also there is a food market there every saturday.
The lake front.... Has a great park.... It also has a market every second Sunday food,stalls,clothing etc..

http://www.rotoruaNZ.com

nanren888

November is a little early for summer & likely a little late for snow.

There are hot-water beaches on Coromandel peninsula, they might be ok, even when a little cooler.
My daughter really enjoyed running up & down the Kapiti coast beaches, in most weathers: long beaches, seagulls, soft sand dunes, flax, lots of shells to collect, but likely to be a little cool in November, dress for wind.

Sailors? Bay of islands can be fun.

Kelly T.'s was ok. The little ones mostly like walking under the fish, but not much of this line amuses 18 month-olds.

If you're not from a harbour city, then simple stuff like taking the ferry over to Davenport & North Shore can be a great day for little ones.

If you get to Wellington, there is a reasonable museum. At 5 years, my daughter still likes this & the zoo.

If you are reasonably fit, NZ, north Island has a lot of walks, from minutes to days. We are in Wellington, so know those best: Belmont, Northern walkway, Kaukau. Wellington also has botanic gardens with a play area in the middle, segregated, little ones & bigger ones.

If you do Taupo, that has also been a hit with my daughter. Hot steam & mud pools are free at "Craters of the moon", but not as spectacular as the ticketed ones further north.

In that area, Oraki karako (something like that) was a hit, being a ride in an old jet boat & a gentle walk round a thermal area. In good weather a good location for a family picnic.

Actually, at 5 years old, my daughter also really liked a horse ride. Not sure in the north island, where to find such, but there will be lots of places with horses gentle enough for 5-years to be lead round. Where we went in Queenstown, the horse new the route so well it lead me instead.

Most places will have mini-golf. That was a winner on warm evenings when on holiday.

Hope something here resonates & in useful.
To be frank, at 5 years old, it's an exceptional place that was noticed more than a visit to the 2-dollar shop or warehouse, or which made an impression more lasting than the fun of deciding that the bed was uncomfortable & deciding to sleep on a make-shift bed made by backing two couches up against each other. It's often the small things that make the family holiday.
One of my friends has a vivid memory from when she was 6 years old of her mother telling her to remember this place as it is famous. She cannot remember the place, of course, just being told to. She was at the time on the tower of Pisa.

Nina Tangiwotthefuck

I would recommend just packing up a picnic and some favourite toys and going for an explore!
You'll find lots of rivers, beaches and beautiful picnic areas that your kids will enjoy!
Also there's Auckland zoo http://www.google.co.nz/url?q=http://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/default.asp%3FsectionID%3D13&sa=X&oi=smap&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=1&usg=AFQjCNG0o934iqXfDUr7t8XJ3Cn61TETyw

,Zion Wildlife Gardens http://www.google.co.nz/url?q=http://www.zionwildlifegardens.co.nz/tours.html&sa=X&oi=smap&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=1&usg=AFQjCNG2kQ8M-FAYsKcMhZNdKQ_qIUjsxA

and Kelly Tarltons http://www.google.co.nz/url?q=http://www.kellytarltons.co.nz/aquarium-attraction-sharks-penguins/4/Visitor%2BInformation.aspx&sa=X&oi=smap&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=1&usg=AFQjCNGEfHj9C5rKm4LzsfWAHe330cU4XA

Hope this helps!
Have fun in our beautiful country!
also, i'd reccomend going south, as the south island far beats the north in beauty and safety!

fashonion

http://www.kellytarltons.co.nz/aquarium-attraction-sharks-penguins/1/Kelly+Tarlton%27s.aspx

Kelly Tarlton's is a wonderland of snow, ice and amazing underwater sights. Explore the wilds of Antarctica and the natural treasures of the ocean depths in our Underwater World - and beyond.

It is located just outside Auckland.

Brandon T

http://www.tourism.net.nz/attractions/ is a great site with attractions, accommodation etc.

You will enjoy New Zealand very much! It is a wonderful country with beautiful scenery.

I recommend Waitomo caves, where the glow worms are located. Rotorua agricuture dome, Luge, gondalers etc. Auckland, Rainbows end, karley tarltons, Auckland Zoo, Sky City auckland (http://www.skycityauckland.co.nz/)

Also If you are going to the bay of islands there is plenty to do there such as Cruises, (including swimming with the dolphins) which is incredible. The dolphins around bay of islands are extremely friendly and that would be great for your children to see.

katey33

Hi
These are in Auckland or based around Auckland:

You can try Waiwera Pools - this has water based pools with warm water that are open all year round and fun for adults and children and there is a spa, www.waiwerapools.co.nz.

Auckland museum fun for adults and children, www.aucklandmuseum.com.

Auckland zoo is fun and lots of different animals to see although Wellington zoo is bigger, www.aucklandzoo.co.nz.

Kelly Tarlton's has penguins parade in a wonderland of ice and snow, while sharks, giant eels, stingrays and scores of shimmering fish swim the ocean like depths of Kelly TarltonĀ’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, www.kellytarltons.co.nz.

New Zealand National Maritime Museum is also enjoyable for adults and children it has different Maori boats, sports boats (yachts) and big old ships, www.nzmaritime.org.nz.

Cruises (short and long) can also be enjoyed by adults and children, www.fullers.co.nz.

There are many parks that you can go to ,
Rainbows End Theme Park different rides for all ages, www.rainbowsend.co.nz.

Tropical Butterfly house with more than 700 free-flying butterflies from Asia and South America.
Butterfly Creek includes a walk-through exhibit with some of New Zealand's largest tropical aquaria and colourful bird aviaries, www.butterflycreek.co.nz.

Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) creates an environment that celebrates New Zealand technology and transportation by creating an interactive and visually stimulating experience for all visitors, www.motat.co.nz.

Botanic Garden is a specious land filled with different flowers, trees, shrubs and fountains it's fun for the whole family and it's on fresh air, www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz.

Rotorua:
Paradise Valley Springs set in a beautifully presented wildlfe park with natural habitats for many of species here. Paradise Valley Springs has a whole host of fauna including a whole wetland area with fresh water springs.
This award winning park also contains a pride of lions all of which have been born there. A great attraction for the area and a fun day , www.paradisev.co.nz.

Kiwi Valley Farm Park with interactive and educational activities with nursery animals, feed the farm animals, horse and pony rides. Hidden caves. Enjoy famous Moo Baa ice cream parlour. Dine at Flax CafĆ© and Old MacDonald's Country Kindy for your early child care service. www.kiwivalley.com.

Wellington:
Wellington Zoo, www.wellingtonzoo.com.

Wellington Museum, www.tepapa.govt.nz.

Cable Car runs from the central city past the university and Kelburn Park to the top of the Botanic Gardens, where many of the walks through the gardens begin. www.cablecarmuseum.co.nz.

Museum of Wellington is a popular Museum that tells the tales of Wellington. Traditional museum techniques combine with holographic special effects, re-creations and interactive exhibits to take you on a journey through Wellington's past, present and future. www.museumofwellington.co.nz.

Hopefully this helps

Murphy

If you want to see snow or go skiing, visit Turoa ski field which is on the south side of Mt Ruapehu in the central North Island. They have had a great snow fall this year (5 metres!) and are keeping the ski field open until November 16. Whakapapa which is on the other side of Mt Ruapehu will be closing at the end of October.

travel_stories

Have a look at this site. There will be information for Auckland, Rotorua and Northland - Bay of Islands - that will be of interest.
http://www.holidays-in-newzealand.com

http://www.tourism.net.nz/

http://www.tourism.org.nz/

There is plenty to do in New Zealand for children. In Auckland they would love the penguins , fish and little train in the Shackleton display at Kelly Tarltons Aquarium.There are a lot of beaches. The Domain where the museum is, is good for running around, as well as the Wintergardens, and a bush walk.Auckland Zoo is really nice.

You will want to go to the Agrodome centre in Rotorua - even if your children have seen farm animals the Farm Show is really entertaining.The trout across the road at Rainbow Springs are interesting and the children can feed them - you buy the packet of food.The kiwi house is also there.

If you are travelling through the central North Island there will probably be some snow still at the Chateau - or up the Top O the Bruce as they have had a very good season.

Wellington's Te Papa is good for children.That is our National Museum but it has a lot of interactive things.

Robert H

Just to add a footnote to Gail's reply. (Why on earth did she get two thumbs down!)

Te Papa's website is below.

Make sure you allow at least half a day to visit, people often underestimate how much there is to do and see there and lots of it is designed for children.

They have just opened a new interactive display called "Our Space" which is getting good reviews.

x Spitz dogs are number 1 x

How exciting! I suggest you take them to Kelly Tarltons (In Auckland),Lollipops Playland (Throughout NZ),Maybe a Zoo?? NZ is a well developed country so it won't be hard to find somewhere fun for them to go to.

Enjoy are beautiful country and don't forget to Visit Rotorua (In the North Island) which is a city pretty much made for tourists with so much to see and do!! And full of NZ Maori!!

:)

Matt F

In Auckland, go to:

Devonport - lovely seaside cafes, etc. (GET THE FERRY)
Waiheke Island - Nice laid back island with great beaches
Harbour Cruise - Nice cruise around the harbour. Get the 10:30 am cruise and get close to Rangitoto and then get an morning tea and free devonport return ferry tickets.
WWW.FULLERS.CO.NZ

Ferry to Coromandel - Take a day trip to Coromandel (www.360discovery.co.nz)

Waiwera Infinity Hot pools and spa - Great hot pools, and stunning bottled water! Cool pools to hot pools and even a dentist and movie pool! www.waiwera.co.nz

Rotorua:
Te Puia - Mudslide land!
Whakarewarewa - Traditional Maori Village overlooking a geyser
Wai - o - tapu thermal wonderland - A great thermal attraction with beautiful sights of thermal things.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley - Go thorugh a true volcanic valley - then catch a ferry accross the lake. Finish with a bus to the entrance.
Polynesian Spa - SPA RETREAT on Rotorua lakefront! Go to Waiwera and this one! www.polynesianspa.co.nz

Places to stay:
Waiwera Infinity Holiday Park (AUCKLAND) www.waiwera.co.nz

Holdens Bay Top 10 or other Top 10 holiday park. (ROTORUA, AUCKLAND, NATIONWIDE) (www.top10.co.nz)

Transport:

Auckland: www.maxx.co.nz
Rotorua, Tauranga & Bay of Plenty: www.baybus.co.nz

Pagrus

Manurewa shopping mall and Otara markets

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