School Holiday Fun
- Visitors
- Things to do
- Family Fun
- School Holidays
Discover something new and explore the hidden gems of the Waikato with your family this Spring! It's just magic!
School Holiday Events
Best family-friendly activities in the Waikato
Make the most of family outings and holidays with the abundance of family-friendly activities in the Waikato, whether it’s urban adventures, the great outdoors with wildlife and nature to explore.
Best eateries for families in the Waikato
With play areas, colouring books, and other fun activities available, you’re sure to find a place that suits your family.
Free Attractions in the Waikato
The diverse Waikato region provides an abundance of free activities and attractions so you can experience the wonders and hidden gems of the region on any budget.
Find things to do in the Waikato
Waikato region has a range of activities and attractions to suit all ages and tastes - from surfing world-class breaks and crawling through caves to wine tasting and heritage trails.
Top playgrounds in the Waikato
The Waikato region is home to many great playgrounds
Accommodation
From Out Of Town? From inner city hotels and motels to lodges and holiday parks, the region boasts a range of accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes.
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Hamilton Airport
From Out Of Town? With direct flights daily from Wellington, Christchurch and more, it's easy for the extended family to fly to the Waikato for a visit.
Hamilton Airport
Hertz Hamilton
From Out Of Town? Conveniently located at Hamilton Airport, you can hop off the plane and grab a rental car from Hertz.
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Waikato Hot Deals
Grab a deal or discount on everything from activities & entertainment to accommodation and dining in the Waikato region.
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School Holiday Events
12 April - 21 July: Six Extinctions - Waikato Museum. Get face to face with some of history’s largest and deadliest predators in Six Extinctions. More information
13 April - 21 July: Exscite - Interactive centre for discovery at Waikato Museum, Hamilton. It's a hands-on space where tamariki can play and learn through tactile and immersive surroundings. More information
Top Activities
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$425
$425
Waitomo Caves
Lost World Half Day Option - 100m Abseil & Cave Exploration
The descent takes around 20 minutes of 4 hours required. Abseil alongside your instructor who provides information, reassurance and a backup safety tether. Imagine freehanging in a massive void bouncing a bit & turning - look into upper levels of the cave. Weird plants & formations cling to the sheer walls and the roar of the Mangapu River echoes up from far below. One guide looks after up to 4 people - who all make their unforgettable descent together down through the surreal mists and eventually landing in the base of this massive cavern.
Once down, take in the awesome views before starting on an even more amazing trip back to the surface. Climb over massive slabs of rock and a series of ladders.
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Free
Hamilton
SkyCity Hamilton
SkyCity Hamilton is situated inside the former Chief Post Office, in a building designed to maximise a superb riverside location on the banks of the Waikato River.
With a range of dining and entertainment outlets, including EATBurger - voted the Waikato's best burger and The Local Taphouse - the first Good George bar in the CBD, there is something for everyone at SkyCity Hamilton!
Enjoy the excitement and atmosphere of the Main Gaming Floor with over 300 gaming machines and 23 table games (R20 to enter the casino) or strike up a little competition on level two with Hamilton's only bowling alley, Bowl and Social, a world-class venue offering non-stop fun and state of the art technology!
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$12
$12
Hamilton
Hamilton Zoo
Featuring the largest free-flight aviary in New Zealand dedicated to native birds and plants, there’s always something new to explore. Connect with the animals up close and learn more about their counterparts in the wild and how you can make a difference to their survival.
Hamilton zoo plays an important role in connecting people with nature and conservation, providing fun experiences that inform and educate visitors, and participate in breeding programmes for endangered species, as well as undertaking conservation and research projects and rehabilitation for our precious native animals.
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$55
$55
Cambridge
CAMJET Cambridge Jet Boat Tours
Unique opportunity to visit the Karapiro Dam and see some of the amazing native bush and bird life in the Cambridge River Gorge. Ideal for you and your whole family, anyone who likes adventure, fun, speed or scenery. Speeding up the Mighty Waikato in a 450 hp V8 Jet Boat is going to get the heart pumping, adrenaline flowing and the faces smiling. If you are a thrill seeking adrenaline junkie then this is for you.
On the other hand, if you enjoy a game of golf, followed by a browse round a picturesque town and a latte, or a visit to the close by Hobbiton movie set from the Lord of the Rings, then give the team at Camjet Cambridge Jet Boat Tours a call and we can have a quiet cruise up our beautiful river.