Step into Kā Uri in Awanui, where Northland’s heritage comes alive through locally crafted art. The gallery showcases traditional and contemporary Māori art, handcrafted pieces, and stories of the Far North, a tranquil space to connect with local culture and creativity. Next door, watch master carvers transform raw timber into stunning art using time-honoured techniques. Learn the cultural symbolism behind each design and the tools that bring it to life. Whether browsing or watching craftsmanship unfold, you’ll feel the deep connection between people and wood. Explore, be inspired, and take home a piece of Northland’s artistic legacy.
Awanui
Sunday Roast at The Duke
Since 1827, the Duke of Marlborough has been the place to be on a Sunday. Head down to the waterfront from 4pm for the legendary - and hearty - Duke Roast; well worth the walk into Russell. Live music kicks off on the deck at 5pm, with mulled wine on hand to keep things warm as the sun goes down over the bay.
Russell|$40
Bay of Islands Vintage Railway
Ride New Zealand’s oldest North Island passenger railway, dating to 1867. This two-hour steam train journey runs through Kawakawa along State Highway 1, past farmland, rivers, wetlands and the Southern Hemisphere’s longest curved wooden bridge to Ōpua. Choose closed, outdoor, or open-deck seating. Guides share local history and culture. Combine with the Te Hononga centre, Hundertwasser toilets, and Kawakawa’s shops for a memorable family excursion.
Kawakawa | Prices from $25 for a Child and $60 for an Adult return ticket. Discounts available and Infants (under 3) travel for free.
AUCKLAND
We Read Auckland - at your local library
For something a little different, discover We Read Auckland, Auckland Council Libraries’ free month-long festival celebrating local stories and voices. With fresh reads, more than 20 author talks and writing workshops, it’s a fantastic opportunity to explore new ideas, meet local talent and enjoy free experiences at your local library this winter.
Various locations
WAIKATO
Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery
There’s something for everyone at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum. Explore art, history and interactive exhibitions, including Dame Robin White: Something is Happening Here, a major touring exhibition from Te Papa and Auckland Art Gallery spanning 50 years of the celebrated artist’s work. Younger visitors will love Exscite, a hands-on space where tamariki can play, create and learn through immersive experiences.
1 Grantham St, Hamilton Central | Price: Dame Robin White Exhibition: Free; Exscite from $5
High Tea at Zealong Tea Estate
Slow down with a selection of Zealong’s award-winning teas and an indulgent high tea overlooking New Zealand’s only commercial tea estate. Whether you’re relaxing in the cosy Tea Room or enjoying the heated deck, it’s the perfect place to linger over delicious flavours, soak up the peaceful surroundings and discover the stories behind every cup.
495 Gordonton Rd, Gordonton, Hamilton | Price $89
Grassroots Trust Velodrome – Have-a-go session
Get a taste of New Zealand’s high-performance sporting scene at the Grassroots Trust Velodrome, home to Cycling New Zealand. Guided “Have a Go” sessions let visitors ride the venue’s iconic banked track and experience the speed and exhilaration of world-class track cycling. No experience is needed, making it a fun challenge for families, friends and curious first-timers alike.
Grassroots Trust Velodrome, 15 Hanlin Rd, Cambridge | Price: Public session from $25
BAY OF PLENTY
The Cave Pāpāmoa
Discover a mind-blowing array of alternative realities at The Cave, just a five-minute drive from the beach. It’s the ultimate high-tech entertainment destination, suitable for all ages and abilities (8 years+). Choose a virtual reality game or immersive experience, a multi-player escape room, or one of the professional race car simulators. There’s a PC console gaming lounge, and massage chairs for anyone who just wants to chill out.
16 Ashley Place, Pāpāmoa | $10-$50pp per hour
Mount Driving Range
Mount Driving Range. Photo / Supplied
Mount Driving Range offers 15 premium all-weather bays and two state-of-the-art simulators, with cutting-edge ball tracking technology and access to thousands of world-famous golf courses. Bring your own clubs or hire them on arrival. Whether you’re perfecting your swing, challenging friends, or simply want to enjoy a unique experience, everyone is welcome – from first timers to seasoned golfers.
15 Fairway Ave, Mount Maunganui | Price from $6 - $80
Classic Flyers Aviation Museum
Classic Flyers Museum. Photo / Supplied
Jean Batten Drive seems a logical spot for one of New Zealand’s best collections of historic aircraft, at the Classic Flyers Aviation Museum. Explore the eclectic array of aircraft and memorabilia, all displayed in an open hangar. Most of the 26 aircraft are operational, thanks to the talented team keeping history alive. You can even book a classic flight for an unforgettable bird’s-eye view of this coastal region.
9 Jean Batten Drive, Mount Maunganui | Price from free - $18.50pp, family pass $45
ROTORUA
Treat yourself to a geothermal spa day
Wai Ariki Spa Geothermal Pool. Photo / Graeme Murray
Rainy days are made for Rotorua’s hot pools. This is the place where wellness comes with a distinctly local edge: natural geothermal waters, lake views and spa experiences shaped by Te Arawa culture. Book a restorative bathing journey at Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, soak in the iconic lakeside pools at Polynesian Spa, or slip into a cedar hot tub at Secret Spot, surrounded by native forest. It is warm, sheltered and deeply Rotorua, turning a wet winter day into a reason to slow down rather than stay in.
Various locations
Step into art, light and illusion
3Mirage. Photo / Supplied
For a rainy-day activity that feels different from the usual indoor stop, Rotorua has two playful art experiences worth seeking out. At 3D Trick Art Gallery, visitors step into large-scale optical illusion artworks and become part of the scene, from dramatic landscapes to larger-than-life creatures. In the central city, 3Mirage takes things in a more immersive direction, surrounding guests with 360-degree digital visuals, light and sound. Both are weatherproof, easy to enjoy with friends, family or a date, and guaranteed to bring plenty of laughs to a grey day.
3D Trick Art Gallery: 171 Fairy Springs Rd, 3Mirage: 1089 Arawa St
TARANAKI
Aotea Utanganui, Pātea
Taranaki Story 105 Visitor live Iwi Aotea Utanganui outside Pātea. Photo / Supplied
Pull off SH3 into this striking purpose-built museum and you are standing with New Zealand’s oldest dated wooden artefacts. The Waitore pieces were carved by hand in the 1400s, believed to be a waka repair yard lost to a tsunami six centuries ago. Close by, a fossilised whale jawbone three and a half million years old. In the foyer, tukutuku panels and whakairo honour the ancestors of the Aotea waka, and the walls hold works by celebrated Māori artist Oriwa Tahupotiki Haddon
Aotea Utanganui The Museum of South Taranaki, Pātea | Koha
Pukekura Park Fernery and Display Houses
Taranaki Fernery tunnel. Photo / Rob Tucker
Everyone files Pukekura under outdoors and skips it in the rain. Their loss. Dug into the hillside are three glass-topped caverns you reach through a short tunnel, and then it opens out. Tropical planting, orchids that flower year-round, ferns, and the weather drumming on the glass above you. The displays shift with the seasons, with people having come to explore them for close to a century. There are also free guided tours.
Pukekura Park | Free
RUAPEHU
Ohakune Hot Tubs
Full of history and heritage, take a tour of the award-winning National Army Museum in Waiouru. World-class exhibitions, interactive displays and guided tours with insightful, passionate guides are available as you learn about the New Zealand Army and hear stories of honour, courage and sacrifice. Enjoy delicious meals and beverages at the Mess Tent Cafe and lots of family-friendly fun at Kids HQ.
Corner of State Highway 1, Hassett Drive and Waiouru | Self-guided experiences from $15 for adults; $5 for children.
