Holiday shenanigans: Fun for all the family
by Metropol | December 17, 2025 8:33 am
There’s no reason why the holidays can’t be fun for everyone in the family – here are six activities that adults will love as much as the kids.
Swimming off the Wānaka Wharf
The Wānaka Wharf located on the lakefront in the centre of town, is a popular swimming spot and a family favourite for feeding the fish. Jumping and swimming off the Wānaka Wharf is always a popular activity in the summer. It’s also a great place for photography, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Kids will love feeding the ducks and can buy some fish food in the Wānaka visitor centre to feed the eels that hang out under the wharf. Large trout and salmon can regularly be seen cruising in the crystal-clear waters. wanaka.co.nz
Drop down the trapdoor hydroslide – Christchurch
Are you brave enough to take on the trapdoor hydroslide? Located in the heart of the city, the brand new Parakiore is the largest aquatic and indoor recreation and leisure venue of its kind in New Zealand. Head along to whizz down a hydroslide, shoot some hoops or relax in the sauna. With plenty of pools, sports courts, a world-class gym and group classes, and a great café, there really is something for people of all ages and abilities at Parakiore. recandsport.ccc.govt.nz/parakiore
Visit the Antarctic Centre – Christchurch
Everyone loves a little blue penguin, the smallest species of penguin in the world, also known as fairy penguins. You can spend the day in the company of these little waddling cuties at the International Antarctic Centre. Watch them swim, play and eat. Surely that’s enough to fill anyone’s heart to bursting, but the family fun doesn’t stop there. You can chill out in the polar storm room and get buffeted by a -18°Celsius wind chill machine or take the polar plunge challenge in icy Antarctic water, if you think you’re hard enough. Other options are riding an all-terrain amphibious Antarctic vehicle, a 4D theatre, behind-the-scenes tours, Lego creations, and more. iceberg.co.nz
Feed alpacas in Akaroa
For a healthy serving of cute cuddles, head along to Shamarra Alpacas in Akaroa. Alpacas are unique and gentle animals with loads of love to give. The perfect opportunity to meet the friendly bunch is a Shamarra farm tour. Set against the stunning backdrop of Banks Peninsula, everyone in the family will love learning about the adorable alpaca as they interact and feed these cuties with alpaca attitude. At the end of the tour, enjoy a drink and home-baked cookies. For a memento of your visit, browse the shop’s boutique collection of luxurious, natural and 100% dye-free alpaca knitwear made in New Zealand. shamarra-alpacas.co.nz
Wild rides at Orana Wildlife Park – Christchurch
Imagine hand feeding a majestic giraffe; eyeballing the magnificent white rhino; meeting New Zealand’s national icon, the kiwi, or getting up close with a pride of lions. Just 15 minutes from Christchurch, the 80-hectare Orana Wildlife Park is home to more than 1000 animals and 90 species, including New Zealand’s only gorillas. Internationally renowned for its zoo-based breeding programmes for endangered exotic and native species, paying a visit means you’re supporting the park’s conservation work. Catch the rhino encounter at 3.15pm, or the chance to feed the giraffes at midday and 3pm. oranawildlifepark.co.nz
Climb gigantic rocks – Castle Hill/Kura Tāwhiti
A Middle-earth-like kingdom made of stone, Kura Tāwhiti (Castle Hill) is one of the South Island’s most special conservation areas. About a 90-minute drive west of Christchurch, the landscape of Kura Tāwhiti is dotted with hundreds of spectacular ancient rocks and boulders – some up to 30 metres high. Kura Tāwhiti has Tōpuni status, which is a legal recognition of the site’s importance to the Ngāi Tahu tribe. This is a great spot for a family walk and the chance to climb some impressively big rocks. A walking track loops around the rocks, providing an easy 20-minute walk and plenty of fantastic photo ops. doc.govt.nz
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/holiday-shenanigans/