10 Great Places to go with your children

over the school holidays

Pack your suitcases and travel with us around New Zealand as we find ten great places to visit with your family.

1.  Auckland Luge, Silverdale. Just thirty minutes north of Auckland city is Silverdale's newest attraction, the Auckland Luge, situated next door to Auckland's indoor ski field, Snowplanet. The luge was opened during the September 2007 school holidays.
 

2. And talking about indoor ski fields, Snowplanet is a must for anyone visiting Auckland. Just thirty minutes from the Auckland Harbour Bridge, you can hire snowboards, skis and warm ski suits and even take some lessons on how to ski. What could be better when summer arrives than to have a morning skiing and then spend the summer afternoon on the beach.

3. Ten pin bowling. Throughout the country you can find a bowling alley and age is no barrier, whether you’re seven or 70. For those with children just starting out you can use a stand that the child places the bowling ball on, to direct where it goes. But be warned, the game can get addictive!!

4. Indoor Rock Climbing in Petone. Hangdog Climbing Centre – what can we say but a great place to hang out at! No, really, it is a great thing to do with the kids. It increases their confidence, as well as encouraging them to push themselves beyond their comfort levels, but still keeping them in a safe environment – not to mention a great body workout for us oldies!

5. Rotorua Luge. Jump on the cable car to get to the top of the hill and then choose from either the scenic or the fast tracks, and make your way back to the bottom of the hill of one of the coolest luges in the centre of the North Island. (See picture on right)

6. Wanaka's lakefront playground. With a mixture of both the old and the modern, this park will keep the kids entertained for hours. Or take a walk on to the pier and watch the gigantic eels swim around in the water below. (Picture below)

7. The glow-worm caves at Lake Te Anau. It doesn't really matter whether it’s day or night when you visit the caves, as it is always dark inside. And if you are expecting it to be a quiet walk inside the cave, be warned your walk to the glow-worms takes you past a massive waterfall that is anything but quiet. The kids might find the boat trip a wee bit scary, as you are in pitch blackness. Keep your hands free to hold theirs if they are a bit afraid of the dark.

8. The round boulders at Moeraki are a must see and are known, strangely enough, as the Moeraki Boulders. These are a free attraction on a beach and are situated some 40km south of Oamaru at Moeraki on State Highway One. They can be found just a five-minute walk from the carpark. (Picture, bottom right)

9. Science Alive in Christchurch tests the children's knowledge of how things work – but be prepared to spend a good couple of hours there. The Vertical Slide is a must for older children, although they may want you to do it as well. Having tried it myself, it is cool and oh so scary!

10. Family. The best place ever is enjoying time out with family. Turn off the television, unplug the computer and hide anything electronic. Take time out and just enjoy being together!