Kelly Tarlton’s is the biggest aquarium in New Zealand. It is well stocked with sea life of all kinds including a large penguin enclosure, sting ray, rock pool area that kids can put their hands into and a moving walkway through a glass tunnel with hundreds of fish in it and lots of sharks. Some kids seem to enjoy going round the moving walkway several times. It’s also worth noting that it’s OK to jump off if there’s something you or your child wants to look at more closely.

There’s a cafe onsite with tables laid out that we have always used to eat our own food without any issues. There’s a gated play area just near here that kids seem to enjoy.

It’s worth noting that you have to walk through the shop to exit the aquarium, so it might pay to make some rules beforehand! The shop is definitely pricey. We have always found that we can re-enter the aquarium by showing our tickets at the entrance and returning to areas we missed or want to see again but it does say on the website that general admission tickets are for single entry.

If you need some fresh air after being inside the aquarium for several hours, there’s a good playground within walking distance at Orakei Domain with a fort and flying fox among other equipment.