10 Best Things to Do on Father’s Day in New Zealand to Make Him Feel Loved
David Sims
| Last Updated: March 2025 - Set up camp with him at White Horse Hill Campground
- Bike with him at the Ohakune Old Coach Road
- Drink beers with him at Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn
- Take him to Stardome Observatory & Planetarium
- Treat him to a haircut at Gents & Rascals BarberShop
- Go fishing with him at Rakaia River
- Walk with him at Shakespear Regional Park
- Treat him to breakfast at The EOS Coffee
- Have a fun day with him at Auckland Zoo
- Take him to Sa-Ni Day Spa for a massage
Father’s Day is approaching, but you still don’t know what to do to make that day special for your dad. The restaurant routine just isn’t cutting it anymore.
Don’t worry, I got your back.
My dad and I bond a lot when we have a chance. He’s working, and I’m working too, so we always make sure that we have a good time every time we spend time together. We’re somewhat adventurous, so if you’re looking for unique ways to celebrate, you’re in the right place.
I’ve put together a list of the top things to do on Father’s Day in New Zealand to make your dad feel loved (based on my experience).
1. Set up camp with him at White Horse Hill Campground
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Address: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park 227 Hooker Valley Road, Canterbury
Contact Details: +64 3 435 1186
Pricing: $
Camping will always be a great activity for you and your dad to have some fun on Father’s Day. We always do it if time allows us because we both love hanging out far from the city noise.
We’ve been to White Horse Hill Campground a couple of times. This spot captures our attention with its mountain views during the day and its starry sky at night.
Climbing one of the mountains or just walking in the valley is more than enough to enjoy this special day.
Pro Tip:
Don’t forget to bring flashlights because there’s a permanent fire ban on the site. That means you can’t set up a fire camp within your tent.
2. Bike with him at the Ohakune Old Coach Road
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Location: Manawatū-Whanganui
Length: Around 15 kilometres
Pricing: Free
Does your dad love to bike? If so, cool. He’s just like my dad, so I’m sure he would love this easy but fun mountain biking trail.
Biking with your dad at the Ohakune Old Coach Road is a nice activity to have a memorable bonding with him on Father’s Day. The moderate but interesting trail offers much joy and a lot of history you and your dad can share in just a short ride.
My dad and I already tried this trail before. We enjoyed the ride because of the scenic view of the road.
The main attraction is the green landscape along the historic Hapuawhenua Viaduct. Built 45 metres above the ground, this viaduct makes you feel like you’re one with nature.
Pro Tip:
Don’t just bring a bottle of water; bring snacks as well. There are no shops near the trail, so it would be nice to have some sandwiches or anything else you can put in a small bag.
3. Drink beers with him at Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn
Media credit: pomeroyspub
Address: 292 Kilmore Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Contact Details: +64 3 365 1523
Operating Hours:
- Monday – 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday – 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 12:00 NN to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 NN to 10:00 PM
Pricing: $$
If your dad loves to drink (like my dad, again), I know an affordable yet the best spot for that. I’m not exaggerating if I say I can’t count how many times my dad and I have been to this pub before.
Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn, or simply Pomeroy’s Pub, is the place to let him truly enjoy the special day dedicated to him. It has a great variety of beers and serves delicious meals (especially their chicken burger, ugh!).
It’s a pub with a cosy atmosphere amplified by the live band singing relaxing songs in the background all night. Once you already have liquid courage, try to step up to the plate and sing your dad’s favourite song. I know my dad’s favourite song, so you can already guess what I did.
Pro Tip:
Check out their website from time to time so you can sign yourself and your dad up for their events. They typically do interesting events on Father’s Day, which can make the day more memorable for your dad.
4. Take him to Stardome Observatory & Planetarium
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Address: 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland
Contact Details: +64 9 624 1246
Operating Hours:
- Monday – 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Tuesday to Sunday – 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Pricing: $
If your dad has a fascination with celestial bodies, Stardome is the place you must not miss.
What I really love here is the Zeiss telescope. It’s placed below a roof that when opened, allows people to see space phenomena through the telescope.
Their Our Sky Tonight guided tour is also awesome. It involves astronomers discussing the heavenly bodies we see above Auckland. Believe me, this tour will put a smile on your dad’s face if he really loves space.
Pro Tip:
Don’t forget to check their website to know if they will have special planetarium shows on Father’s Day. So, you know what would be the best time to go there.
5. Treat him to a haircut at Gents & Rascals BarberShop
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Address: Level 1/188 Quay Street, Auckland Central, Auckland
Contact Details: +64 9 303 0343
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pricing: $$
Make him handsome on this day by giving him a nice haircut from Auckland’s one of the top-rated barber shops. Taking him to Gents & Rascals BarberShop before his date with your mum is a thoughtful gesture.
I’ve been here before, so I assure you that their barber won’t make your dad upset on this special day. Yes, they might be a little pricey for a haircut, but the quality is undeniable.
The barber who took care of me was friendly and had a sharp attention to detail. He didn’t let me get up from my seat until he was sure I was satisfied with what I saw in the mirror.
Pro Tip:
Make him more handsome for your mum by buying some of the shop’s quality male grooming products. Just ask their staff about the best choice for Father’s Day.
6. Go fishing with him at Rakaia River
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Location: Canterbury
Length: Around 145 kilometres
Pricing: $$
My dad and I go fishing once in a while because we think it’s also a fun activity to do (you guys should try it too!). I still can’t forget the joy I felt when I caught a salmon for the first time in the Rakaia River.
Now, if you want to bring your dad here, note that you can’t just go fishing on this river right away. You need a fishing licence. Sounds challenging? It’s not. We bought ours online through the Fish & Game New Zealand website.
Pro Tip:
To avoid any inconvenience, avail of Discovery Jet’s guided fishing trips on the river. They will handle everything, from fishing equipment to getting you a fishing licence.
7. Walk with him at Shakespear Regional Park
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Address: 1501 Whangaparaoa Road, Army Bay, Auckland
Contact Details: +64 9 366 2000
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Pricing: Free
Pack some delicious food, place it in your car, and bring the whole family to Shakespear Regional Park. It’s an open area that gives people enough land to enjoy outside their homes for free.
We’ve already walked on all their Akl Paths, which are the walking trails within the park’s premises. I suggest you guys try the Shakespear Tiritiri Track (it’s the longest trail). Believe me, it’s good walking exercise for your dad.
Pro Tip:
Bring extra clothes because I’m sure you guys won’t be able to resist swimming in the waters of Te Haruhi Bay. Yes, swimming is allowed there!
8. Treat him to breakfast at The EOS Coffee
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Address: Shop 6, 34/40 Queen Street, Auckland Central, Auckland
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Saturday – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Pricing: $
For me, this might be the simplest but most sincere way of showing your dad appreciation on Father’s Day. A good breakfast from a serene spot like a cafe is enough to give him the attention he deserves on this special day.
The EOS Coffee is the best cafe for this special day. It’s my go-to place whenever I get lazy working at home. It has a relaxing vibe and helps me focus on what I do.
I took my dad here before. He was so amazed at their latte art (me too). You can see that their baristas really love what they do with the various designs they put on the lattes.
Pro Tip:
Pair their tasty latte with a muffin. That combo never disappoints me. Their muffin has the perfect flavour that balances the sweetness and the taste of other ingredients.
9. Have a fun day with him at Auckland Zoo
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Address: Motions Rd, Western Springs, Auckland
Contact Details: +64 9 360 3805
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Pricing: $
Do you want something very unique that your dad doesn’t usually do? Take him to Auckland Zoo!
This spectacular zoo is less than a 15-minute drive from The EOS Coffee. So, it would be easy for you to take him there after a lovely breakfast.
It’s the largest zoo in the country, so it would be impossible not to see something there that would make him happy. My whole family went there last Father’s Day, and I can say that we all loved it, especially my dad.
Pro Tip:
Make your visit worth it by creating a list of animals you think your dad would love to see. Also, plan the order you guys want to see them in, especially if you have limited time.
10. Take him to Sa-Ni Day Spa for a massage
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Address: 8 Upper Queen Street, Auckland Central, Auckland
Contact Details: +64 9 320 1742
Operating Hours:
- Sunday and Wednesday – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Pricing: $$
Like my dad, I know your dad works very hard for the family. Thank him on this special day by treating him to a relaxing massage at Sa-Ni Day Spa.
Let him have the 2-hour Deep Sleep Therapy session to get rid of his work stress. I’ve tried this massage before, and it made me fall asleep in less than 15 minutes. The massage therapist used lavender oil while moving her hands gently on my body.
Pro Tip:
Surprise him more once he’s already awake by gifting him some of the products from the spa. You can buy him soap, body lotion, or facial products. The choice is yours.
