We took the kids on a Minecraft-inspired trip to New Zealand
The itinerary was inspired by the blockbuster movie - and here's how you can do it too!
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As a family of Minecraft gamers (well, everyone except me!), we never expected our digital and real worlds to collide quite like this, but thanks to a collaboration between Tourism New Zealand, Warner Bros. Pictures and Mojang Studios, New Zealand has become the first-ever fully playable destination in Minecraft - with a real-life itinerary to match!
Inspired by the new Aotearoa DLC and recently released Minecraft Movie (yes, it was filmed in New Zealand!), we think this real life trip is a game changer for families with curious kids, gaming-loving teens and anyone keen to mix screen time with green time!
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Level One: Wonderful Wellington
Our adventure begins at the retro-cool Naumi Hotel, right in the heart of Wellington's Cuba Street and after a short stroll down to Te Papa Tongarewa Museum (don’t miss the colossal squid!) we got our first taste of Aotearoa’s deep Maori roots with lots of interactive exhibitions and inspiring nature - great for the kids and plenty to keep them entertained. We all loved the Gallipoli exhibition which has become one of the main draw cards for the museum.
Whilst in Wellington, make sure you take a trip on the historic Wellington Cable Car and enjoy the panoramic views of the city. If you want to hop off at the end, you’ll be in the beautiful Botanical Gardens which has lots of paths and tracks and even a playground.
Tonight’s dinner at Scopa set the bar high with their family pizzas and their famously rich and thick hot chocolate, a treat that even Steve and Alex would hang up their pickaxes for!
Crafting at Weta and The Chocolate Factory
Day two was a hands-on highlight. We joined a tour and workshop at Weta Workshop, where movie magic comes to life. From sword-making to scars-and-scrapes prosthetics, it was like stepping up to a real-world crafting table. We cooled off with a lunch overlooking Oriental Bay and wandered along the waterfront making sure we got our picture taken at the very Instagramable ‘I’ in Wellington sign! A must-do!
A sweet stop at the Wellington Chocolate Factory saw us tempering our own chocolate bars - give yourself plenty of time to select your toppings, it really is a hard choice to narrow down! The kids did love this, I mean, chocolate, who isn't going to enjoy themselves, and the team was amazing, showing us through the factory and helping us craft our own bars.
Respawning on Kapiti Island
Kapiti Island is one of the real stars of the Minecraft DLC and after experiencing it in person, I totally get why. This protected nature reserve is full of birdlife, bushland and serenity. Getting there felt like a mini side quest, so pack light, hop on the boat and listen to the rangers - but once you’ve arrived, it’s all about nature.
You’ll get to follow tracks through forests and around the island and if you choose the overnight stay you’ll even get to enjoy a sunset kiwi-spotting walk (hint: be very very quiet and you may just see one!). We slept in one of the few simple cabins under the stars, and enjoyed a totally tranquil experience. This was the kind of unplugged family adventure that really stays with you.
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Unlocking the North Island
Next stop, the Waikato region. We flew into Hamilton, picked up a car and drove straight to Hamilton Gardens. This place is a visual feast - imagine stepping into a secret garden with zones themed like ancient Egypt, modernist America, Italian Renaissance and many many more.
I recommend if you can, take a guided tour, this helped us see all the details and hear the backstories we might have missed on our own. The gardens are one of the top attractions of things to do in New Zealand and we can see why - Highly recommend!
Adventure mode
Today started with an e-bike adventure along the Te Awa River - I was nervous but the kids were super excited. None of us had ridden an e-bike before, but within moments got the hang of it. The ride starts at the velodrome just outside Cambridge, where we met our guide from Riverside Adventures who got us kitted out with bikes, helmets and a quick demo before we set off.
The e-bikes made the ride a breeze (great for tired parents!), and the track winds alongside the Waikato River with scenic lookouts along the way. It’s very easy to navigate, and a great way to see the countryside from a whole new perspective.
Next stop, Waitomo Caves! This is another spot featured in the Aotearoa New Zealand DLC - and yes, there really are that many glow worms in real life! We took the guided tour through the caves which finishes with a boat ride in the darkness, watching in awe as thousands of glowworms light up the ceiling like little pixels. Kids of all ages will love this experience.
We capped off the day with a jetboat ride down the Waikato River in Cambridge, twisting and turning along the scenic waterway. Between thrills, you’ll hear about the area, nature and changes that have happened along the river. The jet boat is great for the whole family - it was fast, exhilarating and definitely got our hearts racing!
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How to begin your own Minecraft journey
Getting started is simple. The Aotearoa New Zealand DLC is free to download from the Minecraft Marketplace now - just fire up the game and explore the six featured locations. Once you’ve built up the excitement at home you can then experience it in real life! The 100% Pure New Zealand Minecraft Itineraries, created by Flight Centre and Tourism New Zealand, bring Minecraft’s virtual world to life.
The 8-Day North’s Thermal & Nature Explorer itinerary takes you through Auckland, Taupo, Waitomo, and Rotorua for adventures like glowworm caves and geothermal mud pools.
The 9-Day North Island’s Natural Wonders itinerary offers a self-drive adventure, including a Maori powhiri and behind-the-scenes at Weta Workshop.
For a longer trip, the 13-Day Coasts, Lakes, and Fjords itinerary lets you cruise Milford Sound.
However you craft it, this experience proves that sometimes the best family adventures start with just a few blocks.
The writer was a guest of Tourism New Zealand.
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