Huka Prawn Park

If bungee jumping and sky-diving over Lake Taupo sound a little too hair-raising for your tastes, the nearby Huka Prawn park might be just the kind of family-friendly destination you’re looking for. New Zealand’s only prawn fishing park, the Huka Prawn Park is likely the most fun you’ll ever have with the little pink crustaceans, and there are plenty of activities to keep the whole family busy for an afternoon.

The humble prawn takes center stage at the Huka Prawn Park, with a selection of fishing pools offering the chance to catch your own dinner and take it to the on-site restaurant to be prepared. Over 150,000 giant Malaysian river prawns swim in the waters at any one time, with the park growing 32 tons of prawns each year, meaning you’re bound to catch enough for a good meal. Equally interesting is visiting the hatcheries, where you can learn about the lives of the tiny sea creatures on an Interactive Hatchery Tour, including tackling the jumping rocks, indulging in a geothermal foot bath and feeding wild trout.

Don’t worry, there’s plenty of quirky fun to be had even if you’re not a fan of eating the prawns – pedal away on the water-spurting bikes; bang out a tune on the water piano fountain; try your hand at Killer Prawn Golf; or have your photo taken with the park’s loveable mascot Shawn the Prawn.