See & Do
Two people stand in the middle of a bird themed exhibition in Te Papa Museum in Wellington with bird skeletons visible in the background.

Fun activities for the whole family

A family with a young child play with piglets on the grass at Staglands.
3 people outside Wētā workshops, poking swords at a hill troll from Lord of the Rings.
The exterior of Te Papa Tongarewa, half glass and half concrete.
The yellow exterior of Katherin mainsfields house with a well kept garden.
A group of young children with teachers standing around a green table at Capital E, holding hands.
A tūī stands on a tree branch, surrounded by green leaves.
A group of people leaning against a wooden railing, looking at a giraffe at the Wellington Zoo.
A small ferry boat docked with ramp extended as passenger get ready to disembark.
A family with a young child play with piglets on the grass at Staglands.

Get up close and personal with animals

2362 Akatarawa Road, Upper Hutt

In the Akatarawa Valley, 10 hectares of bush, and wetlands have been sensitively cultivated into a home for some of New Zealand’s endangered species. Animals will eat out of your hand in this fun and safe environment.

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3 people outside Wētā workshops, poking swords at a hill troll from Lord of the Rings.

Watch movie magic happen

21 Camperdown Road, Miramar, Wellington

The design and manufacturing facility combines cutting-edge technology with hand-crafted artistry to serve up Oscar-winning props, costumes, and creature effects. Tours take you on a magical trip through some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters.

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The exterior of Te Papa Tongarewa, half glass and half concrete.

Have hours of interactive fun at Te Papa

55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington

Te Papa’s interactive exhibitions will entertain the whole family. The six-storey waterfront complex is a vast treasure trove of history, art, cultural artefacts, fossils, and flora and fauna specimens.

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The yellow exterior of Katherin mainsfields house with a well kept garden.

Step back in time

25 Tinakori Road, Thorndon, Wellington

Take a step into 19th-century colonial Wellington with an immersive history experience. Internationally acclaimed writer Katherine Mansfield spent her childhood in Wellington. Her family’s house has been faithfully restored to provide a window into the past. Activity sheets for the kids ensure a fun visit for the whole family.

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A group of young children with teachers standing around a green table at Capital E, holding hands.

Capital E is a dream environment for young kids

4 Queens Wharf, Te Aro, Wellington

An interactive and creative space providing a fun learning environment for young children. Capital E inspires, entertains and educates the next generation of artists, scientists, explorers, makers, and doers.

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A tūī stands on a tree branch, surrounded by green leaves.

Explore a slice of wilderness

53 Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington

The world’s first fully fenced ecosanctuary, Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, is an incredible oasis only a few minutes’ drive from Wellington’s CBD. Named by Time magazine as one of the 100 greatest places in the world, Zealandia’s 225 hectares of regenerating forest helped reintroduce 18 native species into the Wellington region. Public feeding times for the birds and guides make the visit an ideal activity for the whole family.

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A group of people leaning against a wooden railing, looking at a giraffe at the Wellington Zoo.

Discover Wellington Zoo

200 Daniell Street, Newtown, Wellington

This thoroughly modern institution is dedicated to conservation and sustainability. The 500-plus animals on site have habitats for their specific needs, with staff prioritising animal welfare. Visitors can get up close and personal with Wellington Zoo’s Close Encounter experiences. Pat a lemur, hang out with a capybara or tiger, or feed a meerkat or sun bear. There are behind-the-scenes experiences with herbivores, birds, primates, carnivores, and minibeasts on offer.

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A small ferry boat docked with ramp extended as passenger get ready to disembark.

Take a trip across Wellington Harbour on the ferry

Meridian Building (waterside), 55 Elizabeth Lane, Queens Wharf, Wellington

Jump aboard the city’s only harbour ferry for a day out. Hop on the East by West ferry to Days Bay, where you can swim, enjoy a picnic, play at the park, hire bikes, paddleboards and kayaks, or go for a bush walk. There’s also ice cream and coffee nearby. An easy stroll to Eastbourne and you’ll discover restaurants, shops, and art galleries. For a fun day out, hire a bike and pedal out to Pencarrow Lighthouse.

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