Arrowtown Autumn Festival
Now in it’s 39th year, this beautiful festival is the perfect blend of live music, rich history and fun for the whole family. The Arrowtown Autumn Festival is run by the community, for the community to showcase local talents and attract visitors to the best parts of the town.
Think of this festival as the ultimate fall experience, with trees turning into a sea of gold, red and orange – it's the perfect backdrop for your family photos. But it’s not just about the view. The whole town comes to life with street parades, live performances and a heap of activities for the entire family including bouncy castles and delicious food stalls. There is also the opportunity to try out the town’s historic gold panning experience; the kids will be thrilled to discover a bit of “gold” in the stream.
The fun doesn’t finish there though! When planning your family holiday adventure in New Zealand, consider staying at the Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park. Only a short drive from Arrowtown, this Park is full of epic school holiday activities for the whole family. The Park features plenty of accommodation options, a playground, trampoline, jumping pillow and more, which means there is more fun to be had, even when you’re not out exploring.
Zealandia Ecosanctuary
For families who love wildlife and want to get up close to some of New Zealand’s native animals. Zealandia Ecosanctuary in Wellington is a must-see school holiday activity for kids of all ages. With 225 hectares to explore, you can think of this as New Zealand’s very own animal kingdom!
This Ecosanctuary is home to rare and unique animals like the iconic kiwi, the cheeky kākā parrot and even the tuatara. The family will love spotting these quirky creatures and learning about their incredible stories. Families might even be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the native New Zealand kiwi bird at night on a guided tour.
Nature meets education at the Zealandia Ecosanctuary as families can both explore some incredible landscapes, but also use interactive displays, hands-on activities and even listen to wildlife talks. The educational efforts of the sanctuary bring awareness to conservation efforts in New Zealand and why these animals are important to our natural heritage.
Who says you can’t mix fun and fitness these school holidays? Zealandia Ecosanctuary offers scenic walking trails for both easy strolls and challenging hikes. The fresh air, lush forest and chance to spot wildlife makes this another perfect adventure in New Zealand.
If you’re looking for accommodation when planning your trip, Wellington TOP 10 Holiday Park is the perfect city park without the city feel! Equipped with plenty of facilities for kids, including a games room, bouncing pillow and playgrounds; the fun will continue through till bedtime. Wellington TOP 10 Holiday Park also offer plenty of different rooms from motel and studio rooms, bunk bed cabin styles and availability for campers and non-powered sites too.
Hobbiton
Step right into a movie set when you visit Hobbiton in Matamata, New Zealand. Whether you’re a ‘Lord of the Rings’ fanatic or just a fan of adventures, this place in New Zealand is pure magic and a perfect school holiday activity for the family. Imagine wandering through lush green hills, stepping into hobbit holes, and sipping a pint at the Green Dragon Inn – sounds pretty epic right?
Hobbiton is a must for families for a few different reasons. Firstly, you can immerse yourself into the magical world of Middle-earth and kids will feel like they’ve walked into a real-life fantasy. You can explore the colourful buildings, visit the party-perfect Bag End, and discover the secrets behind the movie’s magic. Your kids are guaranteed to be wide-eyed and captivated by this experience as they learn how the enchanting set was built and how the magic came to life on the big screen.
Secondly, Hobbiton is perfect for a school holiday activity because of the hands-on fun! Dress up as a hobbit and wander around, enjoy a feast at the Green Dragon Inn with hearty food and drink – it's like you’ve been invited to Bilbo’s birthday party. This attraction is interactive fun for all ages.
Lastly, Hobbiton should be considered for your school holidays for its picture-perfect scenery. More for the parents, but the views of Hobbiton will steal your heart. The rolling green hills, flowers in full bloom and the picturesque scenery will make for perfect family photos and even better memories. Whether you’re a Tolkien expert or just in it for fun, New Zealand’s Hobbiton promises an unforgettable adventure that will have the whole family smiling.
To rest your head after a big day of exploring the rolling greens and colourful hobbit holes, you can recharge your batteries at Cambridge TOP 10 Holiday Park for a peaceful and relaxing night's sleep. With modern and luxury accommodation options, powered and non-powered sites as well as cabins to choose from, we’ve got a variety for all different families and their requirements. Cambridge TOP 10 Holiday Park has a large group of features including free unlimited Wi-Fi, jumping pillows and playgrounds, BBQ areas and Sky TV to enjoy. The kids will find enjoyment at our TOP 10 Holiday Parks, meaning you can have some time to kick your feet up and enjoy yourself too.
New Zealand is bursting with family-friendly adventures and with spots like Arrowtown Autumn Festival, Hobbiton and Zealandia Ecosanctuary, your school holiday adventure is sure to be packed with fun, laughter and memories that’ll last a lifetime. So, gather your family, buckle up, and get ready for an epic holiday in New Zealand.
Whether you’re exploring magical movie sets, meeting animals, or simply soaking in and appreciating the beauty of autumn, New Zealand will leave you with stories to tell and a whole lot of smiles these school holidays.