Ten family-friendly adventures

The West Coast’s pioneering history comes to life at Shantytown Heritage Park – get the whole family to roll up their sleeves for a fun gold-panning session on the sluice line. Unlike the olden days, everyone comes away with a little vial of the glittering stuff.

The Bearded Miners of Reefton are happy to regale curious kids with stories of how prospectors lived in the 19th century, and there’s gold panning to be done at the 1860s-style miners’ hut too.

Combing on Hokitika beach may not reveal gold, but examine the pebbles underfoot and you might chance upon another very special find: pounamu (greenstone). Treasure your piece or transform it into a special souvenir with a local carver.

Okay, so it’s not quite Jurassic Park but in the limestone caves of the Ōpārara Basin, you can find subfossil bones belonging to nine types of moa and the supersized hokioi (Haast’s eagle). Explore the main Ōpārara Arches for free, but access to the fossilised taonga in the Honeycomb Caves is by guided tour only. Book via the Karamea Information Centre.

A few million years younger than the dinosaurs but still relatively ancient, the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks provide a natural spectacle kids of all ages will enjoy. At high tide the ocean heaves, hisses and thumps through narrow tunnels and blowholes in the pancaked rocks. Another firm family favourite is exploring the nearby Pororari River by canoe or paddle board.

Backstage at the West Coast Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef you can not only see precious rowi kiwi chicks up close, but also find out more about how they are given a life-saving helping hand on the West Coast. Nearby Ōkārito forest is the last place to spot these rare (and noisy) kiwis in the wild.

In the tiny village of Ōkārito (population: 30), rare birds outnumber people. The mythical, elegant kōtuku (white heron) feeds in nearby Ōkārito Lagoon and may be spotted on a kid-friendly kayak tour through the still waters.

Keep your eyes peeled for Fiordland crested penguins and Hector's dolphins from the coastal walks at Monro Beach and Ship Creek near Haast (suitable for little legs).

Family-friendly doesn’t have to mean tame – mini adrenaline junkies will love the Buller Gorge Swingbridge Adventure and Heritage Park, where you can zipline across the churning Buller River (‘supaman’ style or in seated tandem with mum or dad) or bounce and sway across on New Zealand’s longest swing bridge.

At the all-ages West Coast Treetop Walk near Hokitika, walk 20 metres above the ground in the rimu and kamahi canopy. Those looking for a double dare should scale the 40-metre Hokitika Tower or inch out to the end of the cantilevered Mahinapua Springboard, built to sway like the trees, or launch out on the zip line.

Don’t have a boat? At Lake Mapourika in Glacier Country, Franz Josef Wilderness Tours has the perfect fun family fishing expedition. The comfortable, covered and all-weather fishing charter boat comes complete with knowledgeable fishing guide, rods and reels, plus a bbq to cook the catch for lunch.

If you’re looking to get a little more active, Lake Mapourika’s quiet waters are ideal for learning new water skills on a guided or freedom kayak expedition with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours.

A well-loved summer spot for Kiwi families, Lake Brunner is so full of trout that even wriggly kids might not have to wait too long for a catch. Sail, kayak, paddle board and swim the pristine waters or explore the beaches and walks on shore. Ample budget-friendly accommodation in Moana includes holiday parks and camping spots.