The Family Travel Guide to Wellington

© Metlink

How to Get Around Wellington

Discover Wellington’s family-friendly attractions with Metlink‘s network of buses, trains and ferries! It’s an affordable and convenient way to explore must-see spots like Te Papa Museum and Zealandia with the kids (more on these amazing attractions below).

The bright lime and yellow Metlink buses, including double-deckers and eco-friendly electric buses, are sure to delight young travellers as they zip around the city.

For a fun family adventure, hop aboard the Wellington Metro Rail Network. Kids will love watching the scenery whiz by as you travel between attractions.

We personally recommend taking Bus Route 2 for a scenic tour of Wellington’s highlights. Little ones will enjoy spotting landmarks along the way! Learn more about this family-friendly route on the Metlink website or check out the handy Route 2 Brochure.

© NZPocketGuide.com

Outdoor Family Activities in Wellington

Fresh air is essential to a family getaway! Here are a few ideas of how you can enjoy your time in Wellington in the great outdoors.

Family-Friendly Beaches in Wellington

First up, hit the beach! Yes, even in the city, you can enjoy a day at the beach with the kids.

Oriental Bay is your closest beach to the city centre, offering safe swimming and is accessible by a gentle stroll along the coast from the Te Papa Museum.

Alternatively, Shelly Beach in Miramar is an attractive sandy beach backed by cafés to pick up an ice cream.

Find more beaches and their locations in the 10 Beaches in Wellington You Can’t Miss.

Staglands Wildlife Reserve

Animal lovers, take a special trip to the Akatarawa Valley in Upper Hutt to check out the Staglands Wildlife Reserve.

This animal park features farmyard animals for kids to meet, as well as native birds, in support of conservation programs.

There’s also an on-site cafe for families to meet and enjoy lunches to fuel up for the day.

Make a day trip out of it and see more things to do nearby in the 10 Best Things to Do in the Hutt Valley.

Adrenalin Forest

For active families, Adrenalin Forest is heaps of fun! This high-wire obstacle course provides hours of entertainment just outside of Wellington city, providing great value for money, with adult tickets being around NZ$50 and kids being around NZ$35!

Seven courses run through the pine forest, starting from 1 m (3 ft) off the ground to 31 m (102 ft)! Note that kids need to be over 1.4 m (4.6 ft) high to participate.

Find Adrenalin Forest just outside of Porirua, where you can find more things to do in the 10 Fun Things to Do in Porirua.

© Capture Studios - WellingtonNZ

Indoor Family Activities in Wellington

Especially in Wellington, the weather doesn’t always play ball. Here are a few all-weather activities that you can rely on.

Space Place

An affordable attraction for the whole family, Space Place allows visitors to learn more about the stars at the Carter Observatory. It’s also one of the rare family attractions to take advantage of on an evening in Wellington.

The museum features interactive exhibits, while the full-dome planetarium is an excellent way to learn about the stars, planets, constellations and galaxies.

Weta Cave and Workshop

Needless to say, you’ve probably shared a few family trips to the cinema or enjoy watching movies at home. Discover how they’re made at the Weta Workshop!

The Weta Workshop offers a number of interesting all-weather tours, from looking at props and special effects from movies such as The Lord of the Rings, Independence Day, some Marvel movies and new movies they are working on.

If you have creative kids aged 12 years and up, opt for a more hands-on experience at the “Intro to Sculpting” workshop, where they’ll learn how to bring a 3D character to life with modelling tinfoil and plasticine!

Bowling, Cinema and More!

If you’re looking for some family bonding time or something more relaxing, then there are plenty of activities that you would expect in many cities.

Challenge each other at the lanes of Bowlarama in Newtown. The bowling alley has 12 fully-electronic lanes with bumpers for kids.

Alternatively, relax and watch a movie at The Embassy Cinema on Courtenay Place – Tuesday is the cheapest day to go.

© Don Benny Vergara

Cultural/Educational Activities for Kids

Naturally, Wellington’s family-friendly attractions just happen to also be educational. Here are a few more ideas for your kids to learn something while having fun.

Te Papa Museum

If you know anything about Wellington, then you’ve probably heard about its most famous museum, the Te Papa Museum.

This fun and affordable museum is the national museum of New Zealand, showcasing everything from its social history to its volcanoes, flora and fauna.

This city centre museum will have you and your tribe entertained for at least a couple of hours, so make sure you leave enough time!

Check out what sort of things you’ll see in 10 Reasons Why The Te Papa Museum is Simply Unmissable.

Wellington Museum

A fantastic free museum is the Wellington Museum, located in the city centre. The museum shares stories of the region within its grand heritage building.

Kids can enjoy pretending they are playing on the shorefronts of Wellington in the 1800s, while The Attic is a place of intrigue with exhibitions about “Steampunk” inventions, Māori artwork and more.

See more museums worth visiting in the 10 Free Art Galleries & Museums in Wellington.

Zealandia Eco Sanctuary

Finally, travellers of all ages should add Zealandia to their itinerary!

Easily accessible from Wellington’s city centre thanks to easy access along Bus Route 2 or shuttles from the i-SITE, Zealandia is an eco-haven for New Zealand birds.

It’s one of the best places in the country to learn about the fascinating natural ecosystem through its interactive museum.

The haven has a network of easy walking trails for the whole family and for strollers, where feeding stations make sightings of takahe, kaka, tui, North Island robin and more, a common and exciting occurrence.

© Metlink

The Best Places to Eat in Wellington for Families

Wellington’s culinary scene is a treasure trove for families seeking delightful dining experiences. From casual eateries to spacious restaurants, the city caters to all tastes and ages. Here’s our pick of the best family-friendly spots to grab a bite in the capital.

Bethel Woods (73 The Terrace) is a lively spot where families can tuck into hearty BBQ dishes in a relaxed setting. The spacious dining area and kid-friendly menu make it an ideal choice for a family meal out.

Two Grey (2 Grey Street) offers a welcoming atmosphere for families with its roomy interior and dedicated children’s menu. High chairs are available, ensuring even the littlest diners are comfortable.

Sweet Mother’s Kitchen (5 Courtenay Place) serves up a feast for the senses with its vibrant decor and comforting cuisine. The fun ambiance is sure to keep both kids and adults entertained throughout the meal.

Southern Cross Garden Bar (39 Abel Smith Street) is a family favourite, boasting a play area for the kids and a laid-back vibe for parents. Keep an eye out for their ‘kids eat free’ promotions for an extra treat.

Joe’s Garage (5 Tory Street) provides a casual dining experience that’s perfect for families. Their all-day breakfast menu ensures there’s something to satisfy every palate, no matter the time of day.

Prefab Eatery (14 Jessie Street) offers a spacious setting where families can enjoy fresh baked goods and relaxed meals. The café’s open layout is ideal for accommodating strollers and high chairs.

Chocolate Fish Café (100 Shelly Bay Road) combines beachside dining with family fun. The outdoor play area allows kids to burn off energy while parents savour their meals and the sea views.

Spruce Goose (30 Cochrane Street, Lyall Bay) offers families a dining experience with a view. The tasty kids’ menu and ample space make it an excellent choice for a family outing by the coast.

What’s more, all of the eateries above are located along Bus Route 2 mentioned above!