Travelling around the North Island of New Zealand is wonderful. Arrive in New Zealand's largest city, Auckland and you can either head north to subtropical Bay of Islands or head down south and on your way visit steaming hot pools, mountains and New Zealand capital city Wellington. Wellington City is situated at the bottom of the North Island.

Here is our pick of top spots to take your children to while visiting the North Island of New Zealand, they are not in any order.

 1     Auckland City - Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World is one of Auckland's best all weather tourist attractions. You can see colonies of King and Gentoo Penguins, watch them play in real ice and snow, swim and plunge beneath the ice cap or see giant stingray, moray eels and come face to face with the awesome predator of the deep - Sharks.

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  2  Silverdale (20 minute drive north of Auckland) Silverdale is looking to be the fun destination of Auckland. It currently has New Zealand's only indoor snow arena - Snow Planet. With a temperature of minus five, real powder snow, your whole family can pull on a pair of ski's all year round. Currently a luge is being built just up the road from Snowplanet and it is hoped this will be open late 2006. And if that wasn't enough fun your older children can always jump on to the go-carts!

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 3 Leigh ( Just over an hour north of Auckland) Leigh is the home of Leigh Marine Reserve and here your children and see how New Zealand sea life use to be. Because these waters are protected you can snorkel or dive with the fishes, or just walk along the rocks and see the amazing fish. In summer, when conditions are right, you can take a trip on the glass bottom boat - dolphins have been seen swimming in these waters from time to time.

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  4 Waiheke Island (35 minute boat ride from Auckland Harbour) This island is just a quick boat ride and is an ideal way to take the children for a day outing, which includes a boat ride and a swim at the beach. A bit of walking is on the cards, so sensible shoes is a must. If you plan to stay a while, book holiday accommodation early as this is a popular place for Aucklanders to visit due to the many wineries and beaches on the island.

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  5 Bay of Islands (4 hours drive from Auckland) White sand, surf and sun, if sounds like your family's idea of fun then a visit to the Bay of Islandsare a must. It is a place to unwind and relax with your family, November through to April is the best time of year to go for warmer weather activities. However with its beautiful native bush and beaches, winters still allows you to unwind. Check out swimming with the dolphins, if you get a chance.

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  6  Whangamata (2 hours from Auckland) Summer destination spot for those living in Auckland. If you don't mind a few thousand people, enjoy surfing and swimming then Whangamata is a great destination. Set on the Coromandel Peninsula expect white sand and surf. Accommodation gets booked out over Christmas and New Year, so early books are recommended. Great holiday spot for those with older children, as there is a good skate board park there and a lot of mountain bike tracks have opened up. The visitors information i-site will give you up-to-date information on what is available.

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   7 Tauranga (2 hours from Auckland) Another very popular summer destination, with its beaches and parks. Get the children worn out by climbing the Mount. Here you will get great views over the Tauranga, good for those over five or mums and dad with a good back-pack. Allow a good hour to enjoy the mount.

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  8 Hamilton (2 hours from Auckland) The two best attractions here for families are the Hamilton Gardens, including Rogers Rose Gardens and the Hamilton Zoo.

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  9 Tirau (South of Hamilton on State Highway 1) Recommended coffee stop for the kids. This town has put corrugated iron and art together to create an amazing town.

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10 Waitomo (75 km southwest of Hamilton on State Highway 37)  

The Waitomo Caves are awesome and are found between Otorohanga and Te Kuiti and is the centre for abseiling, black water rafting and guided trips. Children of all ages will be blown away by the beautiful starlight display of the glow worms.

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    11 Lake Taupo (Approximately halfway down the North Island and about four hours from Auckland) A popular summer destination for boaters and those who love the outdoors. Lake Taupo also boast a great children's playground which suits children up to the age of ten. With the Superloo on the parks door step. Dad can always pop down to see if he can get a hole in one, just has to make sure the ball doesn't get go into the water, the green is on a platoon in the Lake! The Huka Falls are a nature wonder to visit, take care and keep an eye on your children when visiting the falls, this is a very fast and large volume of water.

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 12 Rotorua (East of Lake Taupo) With great bike trails, The Luge and Chair Lift just to start you off, one of the first things you learn about Rotorua is to have money in your wallet. This is the North Island version of Queenstown and you can find yourself and the kids filling each day something new and exciting. For those wanting a slower pace, the Buried Village is a must - we recommend the guided tour if you have time and this is a great one for parents with smaller children as they can feed the trout and have large open areas to run around it.

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  13 Mount Ruapehu (South of Lake Taupo) Another great destination for families with older children. In summer this is a great tramping destination, Mt Ngaurahoe can be climbed in one day for those with fit children and fine weather. In winter with two main ski fields this is a winter wonderland. Just don't tell the kids that there are near a volcano, it blew its top not to long ago!

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  14 Waiouru (On State Highway 1 and approximately 100 km south of Taupo) Visit the Army Museum if you have time or if just passing through have some lunch just outside the museum when children and touch and climb on the out of service guns and tanks.

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  15 Cape Kidnappers (Around two and a half hours east of Taupo in the Hawkes Bay Region) Time to visit Cape Kidnappers is in November and December when the Cape becomes the home to a large gannet colony which can only be reached at low tide.

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    16 Hastings (Two hours east of Taupo) Outdoors comes to mind when we think of Hastings. With several great parks, like Frimley Park, Cormwall Park and Windsor Park children of all ages will have fun here. Take a drive to Te Mata Park just past Havelock North and get some stunning views.

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   17  Levin ( One  hours north of Wellington) The kids playground here will suit those with very young children to teenagers. From a safe closed off area to flying foxes, volley ball courts and skateboard park, one of the best parks around. Even has an indoor eating area if you get caught out in the rain. Highly recommend by staff at Kids Friendly NZ who have had to pry their children away from this park - give yourself at least two hours here!

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   18 Foxton (One and a half hours north of Wellington) When you are driving through Foxton take about ten minutes to drive down Main Street and see the large windmill, its just like the ones in Holland!

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  19 Masterton (One and a half hours northeast of Wellington) If you are staying in Masterton or visiting for the day take the kids to Queen Elizabeth Park, this is an ideal place to take those under ten years of age or those that like to skating or skate boards.

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  20 Wellington (Bottom of the North Island) As a city it has heaps to do, so we will try and narrow it down to a very few. Te Papa Museum is a must and caters for families very well - highly recommended but do allow a couple of hours minimum when visiting.  The Cable Car is great fun for the kids and is found on Lambton Quay, down a small alley way. The Botanicals Gardens are a must, but due to its steep hills make sure you are prepared to walk and push strollers up hill and we recommend walk be carried as drinking fountains are very few. 

Learn more about Wellington here