If you are thinking of heading to New Zealand with the whole family for your next holiday, then you are in the right place. This article is dedicated to highlighting the best places to visit within NZ. While there are countless gorgeous places to see, you will likely have to make some hard choices depending on how long you plan to stay in the country. Below we have outlined some essential travel tips and of course, all of the best places to visit with kids in New Zealand.
Helpful Tips for Traveling New Zealand With Kids
Before we take a look at the best places to visit with your children, we would like to give you some helpful tips for your journey.
Getting Around New Zealand
If you plan to travel within New Zealand, you can also avoid the expensive and limited trains and just fly domestically throughout the country. If you decide to choose this option, you can find airport parking with Flyparks. Flyparks is an online comparison platform for airport parking in all major cities in Australia.
Discounts
In New Zealand, there are discounts for all attractions and entrance fees that are specifically for kids. Typically, children under 4 do not have to pay any entrance fees at all, which is a big saver! You can also find discount cards at various supermarkets and gas stations that are designed for travelers and offer major deals for various tourist attractions and other travel-related expenses.
Shop Locally
Pak ‘n Save is the best grocery store that offers everything you could possibly want at budget rates. These stores are not found everywhere, so if you come across one then be sure to stock up on supplies, snacks and food for the road! The warehouse is also a great shopping store for clothes, toys, toiletries, and anything else you may need.
Phone Plans
If you are hoping to use your phone to speak to loved ones or share videos of your kids having the time of their lives, then be sure to get a sim-card once you arrive in New Zealand. There are various options, but all of them offer cheap rate data packages that will save you a lot of money.
Top Destinations in New Zealand With Kids:
Now that you are even more prepared for your trip to New Zealand, you can start to make decisions about your itinerary. Below we have listed some of the best attractions and destinations in New Zealand that you and your kids will absolutely love. Organise your Auckland Airport Parking before going on your NZ journey.
- Auckland Zoo
The Auckland Zoo is one of the top attractions for young kids in the North Island. This incredible zoo is home to at least 144 species and over 1400 different animals! This zoo is known for its incredible biodiversity and is an incredible opportunity for children to learn about various plants and animals!
- Orakei Korako Geysers
The geysers at Orakei Korako are highly active geothermal pools that are located on the banks of the Waikato River. Here you can see the surrounding volcanic landscape, hot springs, mud pools and caves.
- Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula is a very popular destination in New Zealand for individuals of all ages. The beautiful beaches, famous coves and incredible volcanic coastline are home to countless activities for the whole family.
- Skyline Luge in Queenstown
Skyline Luge is a must when you’re in New Zealand. The Skyline Luge is a wonderful adventure for the whole family and involves a gondola ride and a gravity fueled ride in luge carts. This attraction is only accessible via a gondola ride, where you can enjoy a lovely panoramic view. There are two tracks that you can take: the blue track, which has a gentle gradient and smooth bends, and the green track, which is more steep with tunnels, dips and sharp turns. Both of the tracks are excellent and safe for the whole family!
- Watch the Rapids at Huka Falls
Huka Fally is a lovely set of waterfalls on the Waikato River. There are plenty of hikes and walks to get to this destination and watch the massive rapids. On your way to the Huka Falls, you will come across the Spa Thermal Park, which is a natural hot spring. New Zealand is home to many natural hot springs and it is a luxury that you must experience! .
- Learn How to Ski in Cardrona
Learning to ski is a very important part of New Zealand culture, so it is a perfect time for the kids to have some fun and take skiing lessons. You can head to Cardrona, located in the South Island, which is one of the most popular and beautiful skiing destinations in the country.
- Visit Hobbiton in Matamata
The Hobbiton Movie Set is a very important location where the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogy were filmed. Here you can view the beautiful landscape seen in the films, and you can go behind-the-scenes on a guided tour. The movie set is located in Matamata, which is in the North Island. If you are a big fan of the movie, there are many Lord of the Rings locations to visit in New Zealand.
- Check Out the Blue Pools of Hokitika Gorge
The Hokitika Gorge is a popular tourist destination located in the South Island of New Zealand. With incredible views of the Kokatahi Valley and the Southern Alps, this is one of the most beautiful locations in the country. There is a family-friendly walking trail that you can take to view the scenery at the Gorge and a couple bridges that you can walk across as well.
- Ride Buggies in Greymouth
Greymouth is a large town located on the west coast of the South Island. This town is known for its mining history and is home to coastal cliffs as well as abundant forests. From here, you can head off on one of the many off-roading trails. There are many companies offering tours as well as self-driving options on 4-seater buggies, making it perfect for you and your family!
- Zipline Through the Forest in Rotorua
Zip lining is a perfect thing to do in the lush forests of New Zealand. Some of the best places to do this activity is with Rotorua Canopy Tours on the North Island or Ziptrek Eco Tours in Queenstown. Zip lining is usually possible for all ages six and above and is an activity that everyone will love. If you decide to zipline in Rotorua, then it is a good idea to stay there for a few days as there are countless activities to do here, such as geothermal site visits, redwood tree walks and even jet-skiing.
- Feed the Alpacas in Akaroa
Lastly, one of the most exciting things that you and your children can enjoy in New Zealand is paying a visit to the alpacas! New Zealand is home to many alpaca farms in which you can pet and even feed some. Some of the best spots to view and interact with the alpacas are at Shamarra Alpaca Farm in Akaroa or Nevalea Alpacas in Taumarunui.
Now that you have a better idea of some of the best places to take your kids, you can start planning and finalizing the details of your trip to New Zealand. If you stick to the guidelines in this article you are destined for an amazing trip that your kids are bound to love!
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