Auckland
Auckland Zoo
Address: Motions Rd, Western Springs, Auckland.
Opening hours: 9.30am - 5.30pm (last admission 4.15pm) every day
except Xmas Day
Cost: Adults $16, Children (4-16) $8, Children under 4 free,
student, senior and family passes also available
Why it's so cool: All kids love animals, and Auckland Zoo is home
to 150 different species. There's heaps of parking in the free car
park, or outside on Motions Rd, and they hire strollers if
required. Take a picnic lunch, or buy lunch there at one of several
Café's and food stalls. There's also a kids playground. Highlights
would have to be the McDonalds Rainforest filled with birds and
monkeys, the impressive seal and penguin area, and the regular
feeding times and shows (grab a timetable from the entrance).
We love: The annual family pass - a much cheaper way to go if you
plan to visit the zoo more than once a year. We go up once or twice
a month for a couple of hours in the morning.
Visit: www.aucklandzoo.co.nz
Kelly Tarltons
Address: 23 Tamaki Drive, Orakei, Auckland.
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm daily, 365 days per year
Cost: Adults $26, Children (4-15) $12, Children 0-3 free, student,
senior and family passes available
Why it's so cool: It's the ultimate underwater experience. Travel
in an Arctic Sno-Cat past penguins and a replica Orca whale, and
check out what conditions were like for early Antarctic explorers.
There's also a touch pool where your children can feel and hold
real starfish and coral, and of course, the highlight of the whole
Kelly Tarltons experience: the underwater viewing tunnel. You can
either ride a travelator, or walk along at your own pace, inside a
huge glass viewing tunnel filled with fish and other sea creatures,
as well as the odd shark! Boxes are provided for littlies to stand
on so they get the best view.
We love: The kids play area, complete with dress up costumes so
your kiddies can dress up as their favorite under-sea
creature.
Visit: www.kellytarltons.co.nz
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Address: Domain Drive, Auckland Domain,
Auckland
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm daily except Christmas Day and ANZAC
morning
Cost: Entry by donation, suggested donation per adult $5, children
up to age 16 free
Why it's so cool: It's a great introduction to the history of New
Zealand, from the Maori waka and cultural display, to bits and
pieces from the pacific, animal and insect fossils, and of course,
the War Memorial. For kids, there are two hands-on discovery
centres, 'Weird and Wonderful' and 'Treasures and Tales'.
We love: The Maori cultural show, performed 3 times a day it's a
great display of Maori dance, music and haka. Tickets are $15 for
adults, $7.50 for kids, and the ticket price includes your entry
donation.
Visit: www.aucklandmuseum.com
Auckland Stardome Observatory
Address: One Tree Hill Domain, off Manukau Rd, Royal Oak,
Auckland
Opening hours: Vary depending on season and weather. Check the
website for latest times.
Cost: Evening Shows: Adults $12 Children $6 Children under 3
free. Different pricing applies to weekend fundays - check the
website for details.
Why it's so cool: Stars, stars and more stars. With the occasional
planet thrown in. Kids seem to be fascinated by the night sky, and
the Stardome is a great place to introduce them to it up close and
personal. Check out the evening show, and have a look at the night
sky through a giant telescope.
We love: The kids school-holiday shows specially designed for
preschoolers. Check out the website or keep an eye on your local
paper for details of dates and times.
Visit: www.stardome.org.nz
Rainbows End
Address: Corner Great South Rd and Wiri Station Rd, Manukau
City
Opening hours: Daily from 10am, except Xmas Day
Cost: Adult $39, Children 4-13 $29, Children 3-4 $12, Children 2
and under free
Why it's so cool: It's Auckland's only theme park, with
attractions for the whole family. Entry prices include unlimited
rides; some rides do have height restrictions for safety reasons.
Take a picnic lunch, or buy lunch at one of the food outlets on
site.
We love: The whole area dedicated to littlies, with a junior
rollercoaster, carousel, bouncy castle and plenty more to keep your
preschooler entertained.
Visit: www.rainbowsend.co.nz
MOTAT (Museum of Transport and
Technology)
Address: Great North Rd, Western Springs, Auckland
Opening Hours: 10am - 5pm, last entry at 4.30pm, except Xmas
Day
Cost: Adults $14, Children 5-16 $7, Children under 5 free.
Why it's so cool: Step back into New Zealand's Colonial past, with
restored and maintained settler houses, plus a school house and a
church, as well as original steam locomotive engines, horse drawn
cart rides and a huge science and technology area inside. Plus,
there's Motat 2 around the corner (on Motions Rd) where you can
check out early aircraft and war planes, and entry to Motat also
includes a free tram ride, and entry to the tactile dome
inside.
We love: The school holiday programmes - even preschoolers love
the hands-on activities that are set up during the school holidays.
We especially enjoyed the giant bubble making activity where your
preschooler (or older child) has a bubble made around him or her.
Surreal!
Visit: www.motat.co.nz
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