Pōneke Wellington · Family Events Guide

Plan Your Wellington
Weekend

Build your perfect family weekend — curated events, cafés, walks and parks across Wellington, all in one place.

Area:
Friday 27 February
Saturday 28 February
Sunday 1 March
Monday 2 March
Friday 6 March
Saturday 7 March
Sunday 8 March
Monday 9 March
Friday 13 March
Saturday 14 March
Sunday 15 March
Monday 16 March
Friday 20 March
Saturday 21 March
Sunday 22 March
Monday 23 March
Friday 27 March
Saturday 28 March
Sunday 29 March
Monday 30 March
Friday 3 April — Good Friday
Saturday 4 April
Sunday 5 April — Easter Sunday
Monday 6 April — Easter Monday
Friday 10 April
Saturday 11 April
Sunday 12 April
Monday 13 April
Friday 17 April
Saturday 18 April
Sunday 19 April
Monday 20 April
Friday 24 April
Saturday 25 April — ANZAC Day
Sunday 26 April
Monday 27 April
Friday 1 May
Saturday 2 May
Sunday 3 May
Monday 4 May
Friday 8 May
Saturday 9 May
Sunday 10 May — Mother's Day
Monday 11 May
Friday 15 May
Saturday 16 May
Sunday 17 May
Monday 18 May
Friday 22 May
Saturday 23 May
Sunday 24 May
Monday 25 May

Food & Drink

The best family-friendly cafes and restaurants across the Wellington region — spots where whānau are genuinely welcome and everyone can actually enjoy their time.

🌿 whānau:
🍺 Brewery Taproom
Tuatara Brewing — Upper Hutt Taproom
Tuatara's home base in Upper Hutt — one of NZ's most loved craft breweries with a big, relaxed outdoor area that tamariki love to roam around while parents sink a well-earned pint. Rotating food trucks keep everyone fed. A genuinely whānau-welcoming spot with plenty of space, good beer and a great valley vibe.
📍 Brewtown, 16 Miro St, Upper Hutt
☕ Café · Surf Beach
Maranui Café — Lyall Bay
Perched above Lyall Bay's surf beach in the old lifesaving club, Maranui has become one of Wellington's most loved spots. Great coffee, hearty all-day food, and the kind of relaxed vibe that welcomes sandy kids and worn-out parents equally. The beach views from the deck are hard to beat.
📍 2 Marine Parade, Lyall Bay
🦜 Sanctuary Café
Rātā Café — Zealandia
Nestled inside Wellington's world-famous Zealandia sanctuary, Rātā Café is a beautiful spot for coffee and lunch with native birds literally wandering past. A brilliant add-on to a Zealandia visit, or a destination in itself for a peaceful family lunch. Kākā, tūī and kererū are frequent café visitors.
📍 53 Waiapu Rd, Karori, Wellington

Walks & Trails

The best short walks for families with young kids across the Wellington region — all under an hour, mostly flat or gentle, with something interesting to discover along the way.

⏱ Duration: ⭐ Rating:
🌿 Bush Walk
Otari-Wilton's Bush — Circular Walk
⏱ 30–45 min · Easy
NZ's only botanic garden dedicated solely to native plants. The flat lower section of the Circular Walk is perfect for prams and young kids — ancient trees, ferns, birdsong. A genuine bush experience minutes from the city.
📍 160 Wilton Rd, Wilton
🌿 Garden Walk
Wellington Botanic Garden Loop
⏱ 30–60 min · Easy
25 hectares of gardens with pram-friendly paths, a fenced duck pond, native forest section and the beautiful Lady Norwood Rose Garden. Ride the cable car up from Lambton Quay and walk back down. Kids love the sparrows.
📍 Glenmore St, Thorndon
🧚 Fairy Trail
Fairy Forest Trail — Horoeka Reserve
⏱ 20–40 min · Easy
A trail filled with miniature fairy doorways strategically placed along the path — hours of entertainment for young imaginations. One of Wellington's most unique and delightful family walks. Kids will want to do it twice.
📍 Horoeka Reserve, Newlands

Play Parks

The best playgrounds and indoor play centres across the Wellington region — from lighthouse slides on the waterfront to fenced toddler havens and rainy-day escapes.

Wellington City
🛝 Playground · Waterfront
Frank Kitts Park Playground
Wellington's most famous playground — the giant lighthouse slide is an institution. Right on the waterfront with swings, climbing structures, spring ride-ons and usually an ice cream van in summer. The best spot to combine a playground with a harbour walk.
📍 Jervois Quay, Waterfront
🛝 Playground · Garden
Wellington Botanic Garden Playground
One of Wellington's best — fully fenced, newly upgraded in 2024 with a dual flying fox, large climbable tower and three long pipe slides through native bush. Shade sails, sandpit and beautiful garden surroundings. Combine with the cable car for a full day out.
📍 Glenmore St, Thorndon
🛝 Playground · Adventure
Khandallah Park Playground
A hidden gem with incredible panoramic views over Wellington Harbour. Exciting adventure structure with slides, climbing walls and monkey bars, plus a dedicated toddler area. Backs onto native bush — you'll often see kākā from Zealandia. A local favourite.
📍 Khandallah Park, Khandallah

Activities

The best day-out attractions across the Wellington region — wildlife parks, sanctuaries, museums, workshops and hands-on experiences for the whole whānau.

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Markets

Wellington's best weekly markets — fresh produce, street food, local makers and live music, rain or shine.

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About This Guide

Helping Wellington families find brilliant things to do every weekend.

Built with love by Chris, Ash and their family — a Wellington whānau who know how hard it can be to find great things to do with young kids on the weekend.

Our mission is simple: help families across the Wellington region discover brilliant experiences for their tamariki, whether that's a waterfront festival, a hidden fairy trail, or just a great café with a playground out back.

Updated regularly. If you spot something missing or wrong, we'd love to hear from you.

Spotted something incorrect, want to promote an event, or just have feedback?
Drop us a message at whatsonwelly@gmail.com

Made with ❤️ in Wellington

My Weekend Plan

📋

Your weekend starts here. Browse events, cafés, walks and parks — then tap + Plan to build your day.

🌧 Rainy Day in Wellington?
Indoor-friendly options from across the guide — play centres, museums, cafés & more.