Today’s forecast shows rain persisting throughout the day with a high of 21°C, and showers are likely to stick around for the next couple of days. While it’s not the beach weather we were hoping for, it is the perfect excuse to explore some of the world-class indoor attractions right on our doorstep.
Here are 10 top-tier spots to keep the family entertained while the rain does its thing.
1. Be a Hero at Puke Ariki If you haven’t checked out the Rescue exhibition in Puke Ariki’s temporary gallery space yet, now’s the time! It’s hands-on and high-energy, letting you and the kids experience what it takes to be a rescuer. You can pilot a rescue helicopter simulator, navigate a jet ski and crawl through a smoke-filled room. It’s free, it’s dry, and it’s right in New Plymouth’s CBD.
2. Get Lost in Time at Tawhiti Museum Widely considered one of the best private museums in the world, the Tawhiti Museum in South Taranaki is a non-negotiable rainy day stop. The “Traders & Whalers” boat ride is an underground canal experience (think Pirates of the Caribbean but Kiwiana) that takes you right back to the Taranaki coast of the 1800s. It’s moody, atmospheric and completely indoors.
3. Strike Out at Bowlarama When the rain sets in, New Plymouth’s Bowlarama is the go-to for burning off energy. It’s not just ten-pin bowling – there’s laser tag and an 18-hole glow-in-the-dark mini-putt course that looks incredible under the black lights. It’s loud, fun and perfect for competitive families.
4. Sensory Overload at the Len Lye Centre The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre is great for a contemplative wander. Currently, the “Direct Bodily Empathy – Sensing Sound” exhibition is running, which explores how we experience sound physically. It’s a bit different, very “Len Lye,” and a great way to escape the grey skies outside.
5. Make a Splash at Todd Energy Aquatic Centre If you’re going to get wet, you might as well be warm. The indoor pools in New Plymouth are a sanctuary on a wet day. Send the kids up the hydroslide or to tackle the wave machine while you soak in the spa or sauna.
6. Bounce Off the Walls at Go Wild or Kidz Korner Both located in New Plymouth, these indoor playgrounds and trampoline parks are a lifesaver for parents of high-energy kids. With dodgeball courts, foam pits, and wall-to-wall tramps, it’s the perfect option to wear them out before bedtime. Just remember to bring grip socks! (or buy them there).
7. Classic Kiwi Fun at Fun Ho! National Toy Museum Head out to Inglewood for a dose of nostalgia. The Fun Ho! Museum has thousands of toys on display, and you can see the slot cars and sandpits that defined a generation. It’s a great little spot to show the kids what “screens” looked like in the old days.
8. Taranaki Aviation Transport and Technology Museum Usually a weekend warrior, this gem on SH3 (near the turnoff to the mountain) opens daily during the school holidays. It’s packed with history, from agricultural machinery to actual aircraft. It’s a tinkerer’s paradise and well worth the short drive from New Plymouth or Inglewood.
9. Catch a Movie The cinemas across the region are busy with a strong lineup of holiday blockbusters. In New Plymouth, Event Cinemas is screening hits like Avatar: Fire and Ash, Zootopia 2, and Wicked: For Good. If you’re in central Taranaki, King’s Theatre in Stratford has sessions for The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants and Zootopia 2, while South Taranaki locals can head to Cinema 2 in Hāwera for Avatar and Wicked. With comfortable seats and plenty of popcorn, it’s a classic way to wait out the rain.
10. Taranaki Pioneer Village Okay, you might need an umbrella to dash between the buildings, but the Taranaki Pioneer Village in Stratford has plenty of indoor spaces to explore, including the old hospital museum and the courthouse. It’s a moody, fascinating place to visit in the rain – just wrap up warm!
