How To Spend School Holidays In Wellington

The capital city of New Zealand/Aotearoa is home to boundless activities to make the most of over the school holidays. Nestled into the southernmost tip of the North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui,  Wellington/Te Whanganui a Tara provides the perfect holiday destination for the whole family to enjoy. In your Dollar rental car, you can reach many of these adventures in just a short amount of time and make some memories that will stay with you long after your travels are over.

Discover Exciting Educational Activities

Wellington is built upon a rich and treasured history that can be discovered all throughout the city. Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand) is a great spot to begin your adventures, with a range of exhibitions and displays that are as informative as they are interesting, telling the rich history of Māori life in this region. There are even specialised activities on offer for children during school holidays, so you can tailor your visit to make it an unforgettable experience for little ones. Wellington Library is another hotspot for activities suitable to children, with plenty of events that are sure to keep kids entertained. Next, let the kids’ creativity come to life at Wellington’s Capital E, situated in the heart of the city on Queens Wharf. There are a variety of interactive play spaces, and this is also a great space for children to have fun with others their age through educational play. The Cable Car Museum also ensures fun for the entire family, with a display of the city’s cable cars from throughout history adorning its halls. Once you’ve learnt all about the different ways to travel along the cable car tracks, take the cable car itself from the centre of the city up to the scenic lookout. You’ll discover a view of Wellington that is almost unrivalled throughout the region.

Explore the City’s Green Spaces

There are plenty of green spaces, gardens and lookouts to visit all over Wellington. After you’ve enjoyed a trip along Wellington’s famous cable car, make sure to wander around the Botanic Gardens that are situated at the end of the tracks. The Botanic Gardens provide endless school holiday fun, with a playground to enjoy and panoramic views that are sure to awe. This is also a great lookout point to watch the cable cars as they travel back and forth - their bright bold red like a beating heart set against the scenic backdrop of Wellington. Inside the Botanic Gardens, lose yourself in the lush spaces of flora and fauna that fill the garden beds and vibrant bush. There are plenty of spaces to explore that the kids will love, like the Tree House and its visitor centre, or the rugged Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush plant collection. If you’re after more wide open spaces, make sure to check out the lookout at Mount Victoria. The carpark at the beginning of the walkway is only a fifteen minute drive from Wellington’s centre. Climb to the summit on foot through historic pine forests and you’ll discover jaw-dropping views of the city when you reach the top.

Make Some New Furry Friends

Discover the wild side to Wellington at some of the exciting wildlife parks and sanctuaries the city houses. Wellington Zoo is a classic choice for all things animals and fun. Only a ten minute drive south from the city centre, Wellington Zoo is sure to amaze with a wide range of diverse animals, from the exotic to the native. Get up close with a lemur or a blue-tongued skink, or make friends with a capybara as they wander around their lush enclosure. Wellington Zoo offers family passes, so you can visit with a discount. There are animal talks throughout the day that give you a unique insight to these animals and how they are cared for. Alternatively, ten minutes drive to the west of Wellington’s CBD, Zealandia is another place to find your new favourite animal. This wildlife sanctuary focuses on conservation and restoration of its animals’ natural habitats, and is a great place to learn more about New Zealand’s wildlife. From birds to reptiles to plants, this is the perfect way to learn more about the country’s native flora and fauna. Zealandia even has the national icon of New Zealand, the Kiwi bird - a significant cultural animal that the country adores. Learn more about the Kiwi bird at its exhibit and get to know this beloved animal.

Whether it’s wandering through the beautiful Botanic Gardens and taking your time to stop and smell the roses, or learning more about the rich history of Wellington and the significance of Māori culture, there’s plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained in Wellington these school holidays in your Dollar rental car.