A Night to Remember at Zealandia…read more We had an absolutely fantastic Zealandia by Night experience on Monday and couldn't recommend it highly enough to fellow nature lovers. Our guide, Ash, was incredible. Her storytelling ability is second to none, bringing the history and wildlife of Zealandia to life, while her knowledge of the sanctuary's fauna was genuinely mind-blowing. We were incredibly fortunate with our sightings, including a male little spotted kiwi busily foraging for bugs, a baby tuatara, and a fully grown female giant wētā, along with plenty of other fascinating nocturnal creatures. The evening began with a highly engaging and informative presentation in the Visitor Centre, including a captivating film exploring the natural history of Aotearoa New Zealand. The tour itself was beautifully paced and packed with fascinating insights, and it concluded perfectly with a freshly brewed pot of kawakawa tea. A wonderful experience from start to finish. Highly recommended for anyone who loves New Zealand's wildlife and wants to experience the ngahere after dark!

On my first day in Wellington, I took the Cable Car to the top planning to explore the Botanical…read moreGardens. Getting off the Cable Car, there was a sign and driver for Zealandia, so I asked what it was. It ended up being a highlight of my entire trip: if you're a fan of birds, gorgeous landscapes, and flowers, this is a must-visit spot for the whole family. The free shuttle takes about 10 minutes winding up hill (I don't recommend trying to walk), and takes you right to the entrance. You can also catch the shuttle back here about every 20-30 min. The welcome center has restrooms and a gift shop, plus the ticket booth. Prices are reasonable for what you're going to see, and they let you in two days if you want to come back. They also offer guided tours with experts who will show you the birds and tell you about them. The sanctuary goes up the valley and has winding paths, both easy and clean, and more difficult and progressively muddier. So basically, anyone can come here and enjoy it. There are open field areas, lakes and streams, mountain sides, etc. I did all the main paths, but there were even longer ones that go farther away if you have the time. There are fences and gates everywhere to protect against invasive species like possums, so you can learn about what these amazing birds are facing. Throughout there are bird feeders, so you'll get to see rare birds here no matter what. There are educational signs everywhere too, so you can learn what you're looking about and where they're from. It's worth going to the dam and bridge at the end of the valley, you can see panoramic views of Zealandia and Wellington beyond. I took so many photos here, they barely do it justice. This is a must-visit natural attraction in Wellington.

I'm a kiwi living in Hawaii and being back in New Zealand has reminded me of how much better…read moreplaygrounds are here than in the states... Maybe it's cos kiwis don't sue each other over every broken bone but seriously the playgrounds in NZ are 100000000x better than the ones in US... this one is particularly amazing because there are like 5 different playgrounds all in one area! There's a huge flying fox, some large slides, hamster wheels, under 5s area, a train, adult outdoor gym equipment, and more!!! The only downside to this play area is if you have a lot of kids to watch it's hard to get them to stay in the same area! They will be running in every direction and wanting to try all the different play equipment. Definitely a must visit if you have younger kids!

This is a must-stop place for my kids when visiting grandparents in Horowhenua. They absolutely…read morelove it. It is a well equipped playground with plenty to climb, swing, slide, and ride on for under fives through to those that are young at heart. There is a fenced area for the pre-schoolers and a wide array of equipment for older kids. It includes plenty of climbing frames, things that swing, things that spin and a flying fox. It also has a mini train that offers rides for free. The park has toilets, free barbeque and an indoor dining area. There are also wide open spaces at the back for that game of footy or Frisbee. I haven't found a better free playground in NZ. Thanks to the charitable trust, Horowhenua people, and council for this great facility

Great opportunity to get outdoors with your children or grandchildren. The Reserve has a great…read morelayout and the animals appear to be well cared for and maintained. I was surprised with how open the layout is and how the kids can interact with the animals. The Reserve is also very clean and the cafe is reasonable priced. Worth the entrance fee and your time.

This was my second favorite thing to do on my recent trip to Wellington!…read more Before this day I might have said dolphins are my favorite mammals, but now...now I take it back. My absolute favorite mammal is a red panda. My friend booked a "close encounter," with a red panda, and it was THE coolest thing ever. The entire experience was just reflective of the cool, laid back vibe of NZ itself. The setting was picturesque, everyone was kind, the animals were dope (and OUT!), and the gift shop was cute. Sure, the could have more red panda gear, but I get it. High demand. The only thing this place was missing was a bar. My Kiwi friend laughed at me when I suggested it:) There's a fantastic bus shelter just off the main entrance, and you should stop for a fun photo op if you've got time. I love the commitment to making it beautiful and relevant on the inside AND outside. Favorite new thing to see? KUNE KUNE!!!! Y'all. There are hairy pigs out there that aren't razorbacks, warthogs, or wildabeasts. Big, fat, hairy pigs that It's adorable. There is a Banana Bar (where you and your little monkeys can get some treats), but LOTS of people pack lunch/snacks, so you can too. There's even an extra seating shelter to the right of the Banana Bat at the if you're walking towards the bathroom. It's covered, shades, and connected to a zoo video on a loop. It's great, you can take a break and just chill. All in all, a truly fun thing to do in Wellington. 10/10...even without my G&T

What an amazing experience!…read more We booked the red panda experience, and on the day of, the weather was bad so they gave us the option to cancel, or to try any way. We tried anyway and we are so glad we did! We got to go into the red panda exhibit with a trainer. We not only got to feed, but also had the red pandas crawling all over us! We learned so much about them and got a ton of time with them in our laps! We also walked around the rest of the zoo. All of the animals were out where we could see them. All the enclosures looked clean and were good sizes. It seemed like a wonderful place and every staff member we came into contact with was so kind and helpful!

From the owner: Located in the heart of Marlborough Wine Country, 15 minutes from Blenheim is The Vines Village -…read moreMarlborough's Artisan Hub. Discover the Cafe, Wine Cellar, 6 Artisan Stores and sample the best of Marlborough's art, craft, food, wine and design, and family-friendly activities nestled amongst 4 hectares of tranquil lakeside grounds. Bike Hire, Free Wifi, Dog Parking, Kid's Treasure Hunt & Regular Family Events Loads of free parking - buses, campervans, car with trailers and bikes all welcome. Cruiseboat visitors and bus friendly. EXPLORE. RELAX. TASTE

Brilliant This eco…read moreaquarium complete with little blue penguins was brilliant! Because we were waiting for the ferry the cost was half price $25 for 4 people. Small, affordable and fun with little penguins close up, fish, seastars, turtles etc, and a petting pool (although not a good idea as it encourages people to touch these creatures in the wild) A great place to go while waiting for the ferry, staff friendly and helpful.