TRAVEL
CLASSIC NEW ZEALAND HOLIDAY WITH GRANDKIDS Words. Tiana Templeman
EVERY holiday destination has them and New Zealand has more than most: popular tourist attractions that have grandparents wondering whether they’re worth the money while their grandchildren beg to try them out. From jetboating down the Dart River, to riding a vintage tram at MOTAT in Auckland, revisiting farming days gone by in Queenstown, and visiting Weta Workshops in Wellington, this story celebrates the joy of a ‘classic NZ holiday’ with grandchildren. Even better, the activities below offer value for money and enjoyment for everyone, not just the kids.
refreshing cold drink and a snack. Book a farm tour at Martinborough Manor and your grandkids will get to meet the animals and also feed them before you head back to the hotel. greenjersey.co.nz
Jet boating in Queenstown The Shotover Jet is arguably Queenstown’s most iconic and wildest jetboat. However, if you would prefer a little less excitement, the Wilderness Jet offers a more leisurely ride along the Dart River through the stunning Te
Waipounamu World Heritage area. The drivers are still keen to prove jet boats can travel in 10 centimetres of water and there are plenty of squeal-inducing spins but beautiful scenery instead of a rocky canyon wall rushes past everyone on this trip. A stroll through ancient beech forests gives you time to catch your breath before an exhilarating ride back to the jet boat wharf. Return transfers from Queenstown to Glenorchy are included in the trip. queenstownnz.co.nz
Weta Workshop tour in Wellington You don’t need to be a fan of Middle Earth to enjoy Weta Workshops. If you’ve ever seen a movie and wondered ‘How do they do that?’ the Weta Cave Workshop Tour answers all your questions and more. From how to make realistic looking armour and chain mail (it’s harder than you think) to creating creepy creatures with moving eyes and faces, this entertaining tour is packed with movie magic. There is also a Miniature Effects Tour which celebrates the original Thunderbirds are Go and shows how the recent remake of this classic series was created using monumental miniatures. wetaworkshop.com
Wine tasting on a four person bike in Martinborough Haven’t ridden a bike since you were a kid? No problem. Green Jersey Explorer Tours offer a choice of bikes ranging from retro cruisers and electric bicycles to four seaters or a cycle rickshaw pedalled by a guide. Hire a bike and go as you please along Martinborough’s wide country roads or take a kid-friendly tour around the vineyards. More than 20 family-friendly wineries are within easy cycling distance of Martinborough so you won’t have to go far to enjoy a glass of New Zealand’s best pinot noir or a issue 29 • summer 2020-21
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