Travel Alerts: United Relax Row, Waitomo Cave run, AFL food festival, Sky Tower family event, Matariki train journey

Run through the caves

If your idea of travel leans toward active experiences, this is one to watch. The Hits Waitomo Trail Run returns on April 18, 2026 in Waitomo, where cave systems, limestone valleys and native forest shape every part of the course.

Participants can choose from four distances: 5km, 11km, 23km, and 35km, designed for a range of abilities. Routes pass through farmland, bush, and river tracks, with longer courses starting at Mangapohue Natural Tunnel and finishing at either Stubbs Farm or the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre. The 5km course stands out, beginning inside Ruakuri Cave before emerging into the open landscape. It is family-friendly and suitable for children aged 5 and above with adult supervision.

More than a run, it offers a rare way to move through Waitomo’s landscape, including areas not usually accessible to the public. waitomotrailrun.co.nz

Step inside Waitomo and see where the trail takes you. Photo / Supplied

Game day, but better

On April 12, 2026, the Norwood Food and Wine Festival in Norwood, South Australia returns to The Parade, turning the street into a shared space for food, drinks and live sport.

From late morning, restaurants, cafes and bars move beyond their doors, joined by pop-up stalls serving South Australian food, wine and craft beverages. Live music and roving entertainment run throughout the day, while big screens line the street, broadcasting AFL games and connecting the festival to the action at Norwood Oval nearby. People drift between venues, stop for a drink, then gather again as the games unfold.

The festival remains free to enter, making it easy to drop in before, during or after a match. For travellers, it offers a way to experience the energy of the renowned AFL Gather Round “Festival of Footy” without needing a ticket to the stadium. southaustralia.com/whats-on/afl-gather-round/norwood-food-and-wine-festival

Gather your friends and spend the day eating, drinking and watching the game at Norwood Food and Wine Festival. Photo / South Australia

Turn your Sky Tower visit into a game

Auckland’s Sky Tower is introducing a school holiday activation from April 3 to 19, 2026, in partnership with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The experience transforms the tower into a themed activity space for families visiting during the break.

Visitors can take part in themed missions, including locating hidden “power stars” around the tower and completing activity-based challenges. A facepainting station at Level 53 runs daily from 11am to 2pm, where kids can transform into characters inspired by the theme. At the Tower Arcade, the VR Thrill Coaster offers a separate experience, simulating a high-speed ride wrapped around the tower’s exterior. Food options, including a family combo at Andy’s Burgers & Bar, are available onsite. A $99 family pass covers two adults and up to two children. Advance booking required. skycityauckland.co.nz/whats-on/content/1352/9265

Auckland’s Sky Tower hosts a Super Mario Galaxy-themed activity space from April 3 to 19, 2026. Photo / SkyCity

Matariki by rail

As Matariki returns, a train journey along the South Island’s coast offers a different way to mark the season. On Saturday, July 11, 2026, Great Journeys New Zealand will run its return Matariki Rail Experience from Christchurch to Kaikōura.

Passengers travel along the coastline with Matariki-inspired food served onboard, before arriving in Kaikōura at sunset. A charcuterie platter and entrée accompany the northbound trip, before the experience shifts at sunset to Fyffe House. Set within the Dark Sky Sanctuary, the evening includes guided stargazing with telescopes, virtual viewing and fire pits, alongside warm drinks under the night sky. The return leg brings a winter dinner and dessert. Tickets are $499 per person, including a koha contribution.

greatjourneysnz.com/short-breaks-and-packages/matariki

Travel slower and see more with the Matariki Rail Experience. Photo / Supplied