As the biggest city in New Zealand, Auckland boasts golden sand beaches, dormant volcanoes, stunning skyscrapers, and top-notch restaurants. Its perfect balance of well-preserved natural gems and exciting urban experiences make it the ideal destination for your kids' school holidays. Whether your kids like seeing animals up close or prefers sporty activities, Auckland won't disappoint.
Here are the Auckland school holiday dates for 2021 and 2022:
Term 3 - 2 October 2021 to 17 October 2021
Term 4 - 21 December 2021 to 30 January 2022
Term 1 - 16 April 2022 to 1 May 2022
Term 2 - 9 July 2022 to 24 July 2022
Term 3 - 1 October 2022 to 16 October 2022
Term 4 - 21 December 2022 to 30 January 2023
We’ve compiled a list of our fave school holiday activities in Auckland:
- Encounter animals at Auckland Zoo
- Reach for the skies at SkyTower
- Learn history at Auckland War Memorial Museum
- Discover movie magic at Hobbiton Movie Set
- Visit SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
- See sheep and other farm animals at SheepWorld
- Grab a bite to eat at Orbit 360° Dining
- Indulge your senses at Odyssey Sensory Maze Entry
- Enjoy the view at Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- Cruise from Auckland to Tiritiri Matangi Island
- Sail and savour tasty dishes at Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise
- Learn how machines evolved at the Museum of Transportation and Technology
- Zipline through towering trees at Waiheke Island
- Meet colourful animals at Butterfly Creek
- Discover Winter Wonderland at Snowplanet
- Take a dip at St. Heliers Beach
- Go as high as you can at Uptown Bounce
- Challenge yourself at Clip ‘n Climb!
- Skate and feel like you’re in ‘Paradice’
- Spend the day at Goat Island
1. Encounter animals at Auckland Zoo
Learn all about lizards and other fascinating animals at the zoo! Credit: @aucklandzoo on Instagram
Kids will love seeing their fave animal in person at the Auckland Zoo. Home to the most extensive wildlife diversity in New Zealand, it's a must-visit for any animal lover. You can befriend South African rhinos and meerkats and South American spider monkeys and capybaras in a single visit.
2. Reach for the skies at SkyTower
Get unbeatable views of the Auckland skyline from the top! Credit: @skytower_nz on Instagram
The towering buildings that make up Auckland's skyline are best seen 220 metres above the ground, where you can get uninterrupted views of the city's waterways and monuments. The SkyTower also hosts special activities during the Auckland school holidays. Plus, kids under 6 go free!
3. Learn history at Auckland War Memorial Museum
Retrace Aotearoa’s colourful history at the museum
For an educational holiday, head over to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, where kids can look at dinosaur fossils and retrace the glory of ancient Greeks. The museum offers a wide range of programmes tailored for small kids and teens.
4. Discover movie magic at Hobbiton Movie Set
Immerse yourself in the world of the Lord of the Rings at the Shire. Credit: @hobbitontours on Instagram
Kids (and their parents) will enjoy exploring the magical world of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit at the Hobbiton Movie Set. Feel like you're in Middle Earth as you explore the Green Dragon Inn and the Mill and learn how movie magic was made at the former sheep farm.
5. Visit SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
Meet the real-life Nemo and Dory at the aquarium. Credit: @sealifekellytarltons on Instagram
Get an immersive aquatic experience at the SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's. Walk through Shark Tunnel, the world's first curved aquarium tunnel, and see sand tiger sharks up close. You'll also get a chance to meet adorable Gentoo penguins and fascinating stingrays.
6. See sheep and other farm animals at SheepWorld
Watch the show featuring adorable sheep and dogs!
Give your kids a taste of farm life at Sheepworld, where experts demonstrate how wool is produced and how sheep are cared for. Besides sheep, there are horses, alpacas, and possums you can feed and take selfies with. A great option if you want an immersive and educational Auckland school holiday activity!
7. Grab a bite to eat at Orbit 360° Dining
Get your fill of sights and bites from the top at Orbit 360°. Credit: @skycityakl on Instagram
Celebrate the term break with a special meal at Orbit 360°. Indulge in delectable dishes as you take in unobstructed views of the Auckland skyline. The floors rotate every hour for the ultimate panoramic experience.
8. Indulge your senses at Odyssey Sensory Maze Entry
Have a blast with the kids as you explore different attractions at the maze. Credit: @odysseysensorymaze on Instagram
Fill up your senses as you and your kids conquer Odyssey Sensory Maze's challenges. Bursting with sounds and light effects at every corner, it's one of the most unique Auckland school holiday activities!
9. Enjoy the view at Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Your kids will love how the caves are illuminated by glowworms in the dark. Credit: @waitomoglowwormcaves on Instagram
Treat your little ones to a magical boat ride through caves adorned with thousands of glowworms lighting up the scene. You’ll also learn about the cultural and historical heritage of the grotto from direct descendants of the Maori chief who first explored the cave.
10. Cruise from Auckland to Tiritiri Matangi Island
Enjoy the view as you travel from Auckland to Tiritiri Matangi Island
Tiritiri Matangi Island is not just home to Hobbs Beach. It's also a paradise for wildlife with its diverse collection of animals, from Kingfishers to Welcome Swallows. Trade Auckland's bustling streets for a day at the well-preserved island on a relaxing cruise.
11. Sail and savour tasty dishes at Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise
Have a memorable dinner as you savour delectable dishes and take in the view
Take advantage of the great weather during the Auckland school holidays and go on a dinner cruise. Admire the view of the skyscrapers all lit up while you're enjoying a delicious 3-course meal with the entire fam.
12. Learn how machines evolved at the Museum of Transportation and Technology
Kids will love the interactive exhibits at the museum. Credit: @motatnz on Instagram
Not all kids enjoy educational trips, but the interactive experiences at MOTAT make learning much more fun. Young ones will love riding the vintage tram through Western Springs Park, while older kids will enjoy watching blacksmiths work.
13. Zipline through towering trees at Waiheke Island
Go on a fun and exhilarating zipline from one massive tree to another
Convince your kids to leave their phones and game consoles at home with an exhilarating zipline experience at Waiheke Island. Afterwards, you can tour the island and take in the sight of lush plants and trees.
14. Meet colourful animals at Butterfly Creek
Kids will enjoy having close encounters with different animals. Credit: @butterflycreek on Instagram
Encounter all sorts of creatures at Butterfly Creek, from native ones like kiwis to even mythical ones such as dragons and unicorns. Make sure you don't miss the famous crocodile encounter at 1pm!
15. Discover winter wonderland at Snowplanet
Summer or not, you can ski as much as you want. Credit: @snowplanetnz on Instagram
If your kids prefer winter over summer, Snowplanet is the place for your Auckland school holiday. Here, it snows year-round, so you can ski, snowboard, and snowtube to your heart's content.
16. Take a dip at St. Heliers Beach
Enjoy the refreshing water at St. Heliers. Credit: @living.newzealand on Instagram
Twenty minutes away from the city, St. Heliers Beach is the ideal location for a laid-back, family day in Auckland. You can read a book at the golden sand beach while kids can go for a swim in the crystal blue waters.
17. Go as high as you can at Uptown Bounce
Who doesn’t love a good bounce every once in a while? Credit: @uptownbounce on Instagram
Kids will have a blast trying to out-bounce each other and scoring slam dunks at Uptown Bounce. Thanks to trampoline walls and airbags, it's one of the only places where bouncing off the wall is a safe activity.
18. Challenge yourself at Clip ‘n Climb!
Kids will enjoy doing the challenges safely at Clip ‘n Climb. Credit: @clipnclimbnorthshore on Instagram
Conquer the challenges at Clip 'n Climb with the entire fam. The climbing obstacles are not just fun but also make for a great workout. Perfect for kids and teens!
19. Skate and feel like you’re in ‘Paradice’
Enjoy skating with your friends, no matter the season at Paradice! Credit: @paradice_ice_skating on Instagram
Your kid doesn't know how to skate? Not a problem at Paradice, where kids as young as four can learn from experts. For something more challenging, you can also play hockey and curling.
20. Spend the day at Goat Island
Look for fish and other aquatic animals when you snorkel at Goat Island. Credit: @aerial_alisha on Instagram
For a relaxing, laid-back day, you can go on a picnic at Goat Island. The calm waters and rock formations combine for a fantastic view while you enjoy your food. Bring your snorkelling gear if you want to discover the diverse marine life underwater.
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