Exploring New Zealand with Kids

New Zealand, known in Maori language as the ‘land of the long white cloud’ is a wonderful destination for a family holiday. Although only about the size of the United Kingdom, New Zealand has an incredible variety of wildlife, habitats, climates, and landscapes. Where else can you scuba dive, ski, drink some of the world’s finest wines, visit film sets, see animals and plants that are found nowhere else on the planet, watch a world-class rugby match, and learn about a traditional culture that has been embraced by the immigrants who now make up over 80% of the population? New Zealand lies above the meeting point of two tectonic plates – the Pacific plate and the Indo-Australian Plate – and is thus subject to lots of geothermal and volcanic activity. Indeed, this relatively small country is home to 24 volcanoes, of which 8 are active!

Although it is famous as a centre of adrenaline activities, New Zealand offers way more than just bungy jumping and white water rafting (although it does offer some of the best opportunities in the world to try these thrilling activities) and is a very family-focused nation. New Zealanders, known as ‘Kiwis’ after the small flightless bird that is found nowhere else on the planet, are renowned for their love of the outdoors so you can be sure that your time there will be filled with fresh air and healthy al fresco activities.

Although it is a single country, New Zealand is composed of two unconnected islands, each with distinct characteristics. The North Island is the smaller of the two islands but has the bigger cities, including Auckland (which has one third of the country’s population) and the capital, Wellington. Indeed, the North Island has over 3 times the population of its southerly neighbour. It has a warmer climate (which is subtropical in the northernmost regions), and is more famous for its Maori culture. The North Island also has a slightly longer coastline and is home to more beaches as well as greater expanses of native forests. It is famous for its thermal activity and hot springs, and is home to all of New Zealand’s volcanoes (although there are volcanic mountains in the South Island, the most recent eruption occurred over 2 million years ago).

New Zealand’s South Island has a more varied climate, ranging from a mild temperate climate to severe alpine climate in the high altitudes. The South Island is famous for its white wines (grown mainly in the regions at the top of the island) and picturesque scenery. It is home to the country’s stunning fiordlands and nearly 3,000 glaciers, of which the Franz-Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier are the biggest. There is some excellent skiing available in the winter months and demanding climbing on mountains such as Mount Cook. Indeed, Mount Cook was where Sir Edmund Hillary trained for making the first successful climb to the top of Mount Everest.

BusyKidd‘s team has revealed its roadmap to New Zealand with kids, let’s check out!

Getting to New Zealand

As only two airlines currently fly from Singapore to New Zealand, your choice of flights is relatively simple. Thankfully, the national carriers of the respective countries, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand, are both well regarded – Singapore Airlines was ranked the number 1 global airline in the 2023 Skytrax awards and Air New Zealand was within the top 20. Both Auckland, in the North Island, and Christchurch, in the South Island, are relatively well served, with flights to Auckland taking around 10 hours and flights to Christchurch lasting 10-11 hours. Your choice of destination will largely be dictated by your itinerary – in other words do you want to see both islands or just one, and if you want to travel around both islands where do you want to start and finish? Indeed, for many travellers it makes sense to fly into one island and fly out of the other to avoid backtracking. Luckily it’s not difficult to book two single tickets to achieve this aim.

Getting Around in New Zealand

New Zealand is larger than you might think. Driving continuously from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island, or vice versa, would take around 30 hours (including the 3 hour ferry journey between the islands). However, the highways are generally well constructed and well maintained in New Zealand, and most visitors travel by road.

Bus

If you don’t want the hassle of driving and are happy to travel to a fixed route and schedule, getting around by bus can be a good option. There are a number of bus companies but Intercity, New Zealand’s national bus company, has the most extensive route network.

Car

However, if you like the idea of making your own flexible itinerary and travelling according to your own schedule, hiring a car might be preferable. Most of the major car rental companies, such as Hertz and Avis, as well as a number of local companies, operate in New Zealand. One important note, if you’re travelling to both islands, is that you need to check that your rental vehicle is allowed on the ferries run by Interislander and Bluebridge that operate between Wellington (North Island) and Picton (South Island). Just as crucially, it’s important to check if you can do a ‘one way rental’, where you collect the car in one location and drop it in another. That way you can collect your car in Auckland, for example, but leave it in Christchurch, thereby avoiding the need and expense of travelling back to your pickup point. Check also if unlimited mileage is included in your rental contract, as you will soon clock up some serious mileage if you’re planning to see a lot of the country.

Motorhome

Many visitors decide that travelling by motorhome is the best way to see New Zealand. The biggest company is Britz although there are numerous smaller operators. Although renting a motorhome can seem expensive, you will obviously be saving on accommodation costs (although you may have to pay to stay at a campsite). Bear in mind that rental rates for motorhomes can be almost double in summer what they are in winter. It is not legal to park your motorhome wherever you want in New Zealand. If you park somewhere that is marked as ‘no camping’ you could be subject to an on-the-spot fine of NZ$200 (around S$150). There are, however, many paid campsites with facilities including toilets, showers and charging points (ranging from $8-20 per adult per night) as well as over 500 ‘responsible freedom camping sites’ with minimal facilities and where you’re expected to observe various rules to keep them in good order. Paid camp sites can be booked in advance using apps such as Campermate and Rankers Camping NZ . Tourism New Zealand offers useful advice about travelling by motorhome in New Zealand.

Train

There is no major train network for passengers in New Zealand although there are some trains that follow scenic routes, such as the famous Tranzalpine railway journey .

Travelling Between North Island and South Island

There are two ferry companies that operate between the two islands: Interislander and Bluebridge . Both companies only have single routes between Wellington (North Island) and Picton (South Island). The ferry journey takes around 3 hours but can be quite rough at times as the water that runs through the Cook Strait moves relatively fast and the area can be very windy. It can cost around NZ$400 for a family of four to make the trip. If you’re not travelling by car you might consider flying between Wellington and Picton. The flight time, on a small propellor-powered plane that carries up to 12 passengers, is around 30 minutes and prices for one-way tickets are normally around NZ$100 per person. Due to the windy conditions around both airports, the landing can be a little bumpy but the pilots are very experienced and the safety record is extremely good.

Things to Do in the North Island of New Zealand

Auckland

Chances are that you’ll fly into Auckland, which is New Zealand’s biggest city although not its capital. Many people choose to go straight to see some of the North Island’s many attractions but Auckland itself has a few places worthy of a half-day visit.

Right next to Auckland airport is Butterfly Creek, a charming centre where kids can get up close to animals such as monkeys, meerkats, and otters. As its name suggests it is also home to a large tropical butterfly house. Other devoted animal lovers might prefer to head to Auckland Zoo, which has over 130 species and is one of the best places in New Zealand to see its native animals, such as the kiwi, as well as animals from across the globe. As it’s a coastal city with one of New Zealand’s largest harbours, it’s perhaps not surprising that Auckland has an impressive Maritime Museum where visitors can learn about the history of sailing in this region. You can even set out on a tour of the harbour aboard boats such as The Breeze, a replica of a 19th century tall ship with 10 sails. Auckland’s stadium, Eden Park, is the home stadium of New Zealand’s world-famous rugby team, the All Blacks, who are famous for their pre-match Maori war dance called the ‘haka’. Rugby fans, or even those with a passing interest in this national institution, are likely to enjoy the ‘All Blacks Experience’. As well as getting a tour of the stadium, visitors can face-off against a virtual life-size haka and test out their rugby skills. For those who like to get their bearings from a higher altitude, the Sky Tower offers unsurpassable views of the entire city from its viewing platform that sits at 186 metres above street level. Adults and daring children over 10 years old can even do a Sky Walk, secured by harnesses on a 1.2 metre wide platform, or a bungy Sky Jump in which they can experience free falling from a height of 190 metres!

Rotorua

As well as being a centre for Maori culture, Rotorua is an area of intense geothermal activity where you can see (and smell!) hot gasses venting from the side of footpaths. Te Puia is a great place to see some of the country’s most active geysers across its 70-hectare geothermal valley, which is home to over 500 geothermal sites. Here you can learn about traditional New Zealand culture and even see kiwi bird conservation at work. Just a 10-minute drive from Te Puia is the Whakarewarewa Forest, which is home to gigantic California redwood trees and is a great place for hiking and mountain biking. It’s also a place where you can enjoy the Redwoods Treewalk, a network of bridges suspended high above the ground amongst the majestic trees. Also within easy access of Te Puia and the Redwoods Treewalk is Rotorua Ziplines, which offers an ideal activity for adrenaline junkies who fancy the idea of ziplining through a forest and even across a waterfall. If you like you can race a friend on the dual ziplines in this beautiful setting. For those who prefer their high speed while driving, the Skyline Luge has five thrilling downhill luge tracks (including Gravity, Twister, and Legend) that are suitable for all the family as children over 2 years old can drive solo or smaller kids can be accompanied by an adult. You can also take a gondola cable car ride here which provides stunning views of Lake Rotorua. Also close by is the Rotorua Farm Experience. New Zealand’s most popular farm experience is set on 350 acres of farmland and its experiences include a farmyard nursery where kids (and adults) can cuddle baby animals such as lambs. You can also tour the farm on a tractor with a covered trailer and visit the National Kiwi Hatchery. Lake Tikitapu, also commonly known as Blue Lake, is perfect for those who like water-based activities, such as swimming, kayaking, water skiing and fishing. Visitors can also do hikes that range from the gentle Tikitapu Nature Walk (about 30 minutes) to the 5.5 kilometre Blue Lake Track, which circles the lake, passing through native bushland and forest.

Tauranga

About 2 hours’ drive from Rotorua, sitting on the edge of the Bay of Plenty, is the coastal town of Tauranga. As well as having lovely views of Mount Manganui, an extinct volcano, Tauranga is a great base for a number of excursions, such as to the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour. This tour takes you around The Shire, the 12-acre set where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed. Various options are available, including a day tour followed by an evening banquet at the Green Dragon Inn that was featured in many of the films. A 2 hour drive east from Tauranga will take you to the coastal town of Whakatane, where fishing is a key activity. Indeed, more yellowfin tuna are caught off the coast here than in any other part of the country. From here you can also go hiking, biking, explore the cultural heritage, do numerous water-based activities, or even take a helicopter trip to see one of New Zealand’s most active volcanoes, White Island, which is known locally as Whakaari.

Tongariro

In the centre of the North Island is New Zealand’s oldest national park that has dual World Heritage status due to its three active volcanoes and Māori cultural significance. Although it offers activities such as mountain biking and numerous hiking opportunities, it is probably most famous for its full-day hike known as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This challenging hike covers almost 20 kilometres and takes up to 8 hours to complete but offers the unique opportunity to walk along the ridge of a volcanic crater and see a blue lake that is sacred to Māori culture as well as stunning emerald lakes whose colour is caused by minerals from the thermal area surrounding them. Visitors to Tongariro might also want to tie in a visit to the National Trout Centre, which contains a large freshwater aquarium showcasing New Zealand native fish species and offers hands-on learning about the life cycle of trout and the history of the fishery. There is also a crèche for an endangered New Zealand blue duck which lives in the local region.

Wellington

As well as being the official capital of New Zealand, Wellington is a common staging-post for people who are travelling to the South Island by ferry or small plane. As well as being an attractive coastal city, Wellington is the unofficial ‘coffee capital’ of the country where visitors and locals can enjoy the products of world-class baristas. Wellington is also home to Te Papa Tongarewa, the Museum of New Zealand, which offers fascinating insights into the country’s history, from its contribution to the World Wars to the journeys that people took when emigrating to New Zealand, from Māori times to the modern day. Fans of films such as the Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Avatar, are bound to love the Weta Workshop Experience. Visitors can visit the workshop where Wellington artisans created the special effects for these and other films. They can immerse themselves in this unique world and learn how these specialists create props, costumes, weapons, and movie creatures. For families who are more interested in the natural world, Staglands Wildlife Reserve offers the opportunity to see predominantly New Zealand native species in a beautiful outdoor setting that spans 25 acres. Species include Auckland Island pigs, endangered birds such as the kea and toetoe, and Arapaho Island goats.

Bay of Islands

Located towards the top of the North Island, the Bay of Islands is a coastal region with a microclimate known as ‘the winterless north’ and, unsurprisingly, lots of islands. Paihia is the most popular base for enjoying this enchanting area of beaches and turquoise seas. This is one of the best places in New Zealand to go on a sailing tour, either as a day trip or overnight, during which you can explore hidden coves and islands such as idyllic Motuarohia. Thanks to its crystal-clear waters and abundant sea life, the Bay of Islands is also a great location to try snorkelling and scuba diving. The Bay of Islands is also not too far from Ninety Mile Beach (which is actually 88 miles long) where you can take a 4WD tour along the beach which is registered as a road.

Things to Do in the South Island of New Zealand

Queenstown

Most people who travel around the South Island visit Queenstown at some point. As well as being on of the world’s most famous centres for outdoor pursuits and adrenaline activities, Queenstown’s stunning location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges, makes it a mecca for travellers who want to get the perfect picture for their social media sites. In fact, Queenstown has something for everyone – you can ski on the slopes of The Remarkables and Coronet Peak in the winter, you can visit the many wineries such as the Gibston Valley Winery, you can explore the Queenstown Cycle Trail (a series of easy to intermediate trails that take up to 4 days to complete in total), you can enjoy delicious local produce, or you can face your fear and experience one of the adventure activities for which Queenstown is so famous. Some of these activities include bungy jumping (there are multiple world-class sites but the original site, where commercial bungy jumping was started by AJ Hackett in 1986, is the Kawarau Suspension Bridge), jet boating (where you fly across shallow water at incredible speeds and make up to 360 degree turns), and white water rafting. One thing is for sure, you will try something new in Queenstown!

Wanaka

Just an hour’s drive from Queenstown is a town which feels a little like the sensible older sister of Queenstown. Wanaka has much of the natural beauty of Queenstown but caters more for families than thrill-seeking adults. That’s not to say that you can’t experience adventure activities here – because you can do tandem skydiving, skiing, canyoning and jet boating near Wanaka – but it also has an incredible variety of activities for children. You can visit an animal sanctuary, do a tour of an extensive lavender farm where you also try their delicious honey, see one of the most extensive private collections of vehicles and toys in the world at the National Transport and Toy Museum, watch a movie at a quirky cinema where you can choose to sit on a sofa or in a vintage car, and go on a kid-friendly cycling tour. However, one of the biggest draws for families to Wanaka is Puzzling World. This hands-on theme park will give your brain plenty of exercise as you explore attractions such as the Great Maze and Illusion Room, and take the opportunity to take mind-bending photos by one of the many optical illusions in the extensive grounds.

Kaikoura

New Zealand is one of the best places in the world for people who like Nature, and some of the best wildlife can be found in the nutrient-rich seas of its South Island. Kaikoura is one of the best -one-stop-shops for seeing New Zealand marine life as it offers close contact with a variety of animals including whales, dolphins and seals. Indeed, this sleepy seaside town is one of the best places in the world to see sperm whales. You can embark on a boat tour with companies such as Whale Watch or get a bird’s eye view by plane, allowing you to see the full scale of these majestic creatures, with companies that include Wings Over Whales. If you don’t mind getting up early you might consider swimming with dusky dolphins, a small species of friendly dolphin. Dolphin Encounter offers well-regarded tours, the earliest of which start at 5:30am! Alternatively you can engage with inquisitive fur seals, either on the water in a kayak or in the water while swimming.

Dunedin

Another great place to see wildlife is Dunedin, towards the southern tip of the South Island. Some of the first European immigrants came from Scotland, attracted by a landscape and climate that reminded them of home. You can thus be assured that it is often cold and wet there! However, it offers beautiful architecture, stunning (if chilly) beaches, a local brewery, a 19th century castle, and New Zealand’s biggest and interactive science centre. However, one of the top draws for tourists is its nature tours on which you might see yellow-eyed penguins, sea lions, fur seals, albatross, and many other species.

Franz Josef Glacier

The South Island is one of the most southerly inhabited places on Earth, so it’s perhaps no surprise that you can ski here in the winter. However, it’s also home to two of the most accessible glaciers in the southern hemisphere: the Franz Josef glacier and the Fox glacier. Of these, Franz Josef is the most developed for tourism and offers glacier tours. It is no longer permitted for visitors to hike from the base of the glacier for safety reasons, so the only way to access it is by helicopter. Thankfully a number of companies, such as Franz Josef Glacier Tours, offer heli-hike tours and they allow you to reach the higher and more pristine higher regions of the glacier. These tours are not cheap but they do allow a once-in-a-lifetime experience during which you can see the scale of the glacier from the air and often enter ice caves that appear as the glacier slowly changes form.

Christchurch

New Zealand’s second largest city, Christchurch, has a distinctly British feel. In fact, when you travel along its River Avon by punt (a flat-bottomed boat that you propel by pushing a pole against the riverbed), admiring the historic buildings along the way, you can almost imagine you’re in the university town of Cambridge in England. Departing from the historic Antigua Boat Sheds, you can choose to pilot your own punt or sit back and relax while a professional does it for you. Christchurch is a relaxed artsy place with easy access to the outdoors, where you can enjoy the city’s architecture or meet the local and foreign wildlife, ranging from kiwis to lemurs, at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. It’s also home to the International Antarctic Centre, where you can learn about the South Pole and its exploration, see penguins, and even experience an artificial polar storm at -18C in a ‘storm dome’. All in all, Christchurch is a must-see for anyone exploring the South Island.

Te Anau and Fiordland National Park

Te Anau is known as the gateway to New Zealand’s Fiordland, one of the most beautiful regions across the whole country and more akin to the fjords of Norway than the rest of the South Island. Sitting on the banks of Lake Te Anau, the town has a stunning setting and offers numerous lodges, hotels and campgrounds. It’s also home to the Te Anau caves where you can journey into a limestone grotto and see an underground waterfall. Perhaps the biggest draw to the caves are the glowworms that illuminate the roof of the cave as you slowly travel by boat in the silent darkness along an underground stream. However, most people who visit Te Anau are there to see the Fiordland National Park, of which Milford Sound is the jewel in the crown. Numerous companies offer boat tours that traverse the fiord, where you can see countless waterfalls, wildlife such as seals and dolphins, dense forests and stunning cliffs. Te Anau is also the starting point for a 60-kilometre hike called the Kepler Track, which travels along the lakeside, across mountain ridges, and through ancient forest.

Tekapo

As well as being another town that has a stunning location on the banks of a lake (the eponymous Lake Tekapo), Tekapo is a world famous centre for stargazing. Anyone, young or old, who has even a passing interest in the cosmos will enjoy a visit to the Mount John Observatory, New Zealand’s most powerful telescope in the heart of the International Dark Sky Reserve. This observatory is so far from major towns or cities that its views of the night sky are unpolluted by lights. It offers New Zealand’s best opportunity to see the Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights. Alternatively, if you fancy combining stargazing with a cultural experience you can enjoy an indoor Maori cultural experience on the banks of Lake Tekapo where you learn about Maori interpretation of the stars and cosmos. For those who are not interested in the stars or want to spent time outdoors during the day, Tekapo is also a great location for hiking, with its 7 trails including 2 easy ones that are perfect for families.

Why choose New Zealand

New Zealand offers an almost unparalleled variety of landscapes and activities and is a very family-focused place. The Kiwis are some of the friendliest people you can meet and they love to welcome people into the country of which they are extremely proud. So perhaps it shouldn’t be a case of ‘Should I go to New Zealand?’ as much as ‘When should I go to New Zealand!’