New Zealand family holidays

With miles and miles of open roads, New Zealand is also perfect for self-drive, the ultimate family-friendly mode of travel. Using a mix of rental car and campervan, on a New Zealand family holiday you can drive at leisure between the famous hotspots. Take in dramatic mountains, rainforests, glaciers and rugged coastline – at your own pace.

Your days will be filled with a wide range of exciting activities. One day you may be swimming with dolphins or whale-watching. The next you could be kayaking turquoise waters, biking coastal tracks or experiencing the Maori culture. You can take an overnight fiord cruise or head out into the wilderness to follow one of New Zealand’s many famous hiking trails. There’s certainly no shortage of adventure on a New Zealand family holiday.

Why take the kids to New Zealand?

Older children can enjoy an overnight mountain trek in Fiordland National Park or horse-riding in the hills outside Wanaka. Younger ones will get a thrill from riding the luge on Sky Mountain or spotting stingrays from a glass-bottom boat in the Coromandel Peninsula. See our New Zealand in Pictures blog post to whet your appetite.

Compared to Australia, New Zealand looks tiny on the map, and the truth is that this is not a huge country. However, it does take time to get around! Although distances are not always great, the roads are winding and you will want to stop frequently to enjoy yet another beautiful view point. It’s far better to concentrate on one area, take your time and enjoy activities along the way, rather than trying to tick off the whole country in one visit. We will be able to advise on the best balance for your family.

Accommodation in New Zealand is wonderfully family friendly, with a tempting selection of friendly B&Bs, welcoming guesthouses and idyllically situated campsites. With an emphasis on fresh and often organic produce, even the fussiest of eaters will be kept happy – and parents can indulge in extravagant seafood meals washed down with excellent local wines of course…

Family holiday itineraries to New Zealand

All of our New Zealand family holidays are bespoke which means that they are tailor-made for your own specific family, taking into account the ages of your children, your interests, your budget and so on.

However, to give you an idea of what you could do on a family holiday in New Zealand, have a look at our sample itineraries, Highlights of New Zealand (2 weeks) and New Zealand Grand Tour (3 weeks).

Also check out some of the other places that you might like to visit on a New Zealand family holiday and if you need further inspiration, have a look at our gallery.

See our When to go to New Zealand page to find out more about the weather and what it will be like at the time that you want to travel. Or simply give us a ring and we’ll be delighted to advise you on the best holiday to New Zealand for your family.

From our blog