Family New Zealand

We greet you at the airport, and whisk you to your central hotel, with restaurants and city sights on the doorstep. Stretch your legs on a stroll down to the harbour.

Apartment

Exciting Auckland is a melting pot of cultures from Polynesian and European to Asian. It is surrounded by sea, extinct volcanoes, and bush-clad ranges. Top tips for sightseeing are a stroll in Aotea Square, a trip up the Sky Tower and a ferry across the harbour. For an overview of the country’s history and Maori culture, the Auckland Museum is excellent.

Apartment

Collect your hire car and head over the Bombay Hills through rolling farmland to Matamata. This rural community is now known by another name: Hobbiton. If you haven’t seen Peter Jackson’s films, drive on to Rotorua, but Lord of the Rings fans have a treat in store on a guided visit to the original film location, complete with Bag End and the Party Tree.

Apartment

Rotorua forms part of the ‘Pacific Rim of Fire’ and thermal activity is everywhere! Easily accessible to the town are the bubbling mud pools and geyser at Te Puia; close by are other fascinating sites like the Buried Village, or the thermal spa at Hell’s Gate. For some more action, head to the forest for an exhilarating zip-line experience

Rotorua is also home to Maori tribes and on a family trip like this, an evening of songs, legends and dance – including the famous haka – is a must. Enjoy a traditional hangi feast cooked in the earth by ‘free’ geothermal heat. A memorable evening!

Apartment

On the road south, journey to Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. Here you can enjoy a thrilling jet boat ride- have your lunch afterwards! Then enter Tongariro National Park, a starkly beautiful volcanic landscape.

Alpine Lodge

Day at leisure to explore the area which has some of the best day walks in New Zealand and is home to some of the Lord of the Rings movie locations.

Alpine Lodge

Travel to Wellington, NZ’s capital. Eclectic cafes, street art, film sets or historic sights – there is something for everyone.

Take the Cable Car for wonderful views over Wellington.

Apartment

Drop off your rental vehicle before boarding the Interislander Ferry to Picton at the top of South Island. Take a coach to Nelson, famed for its sunny lifestyle and gateway to three National Parks.

Apartment

The best way to appreciate the amazing beaches is by boat, so after a coach transfer, hop on a small cruiser for the day. Land on an idyllic beach, enjoy a picnic and walk a section of the famous Abel Tasman Coastal Track, then re-join the boat at Torrent Bay. Return to Nelson.

(Alternatively, cruise the Marlborough Sounds and help the postman deliver farming supplies, medical items and general mail to the inhabitants of Pelorous Sound or head off on a river kayaking trip)

Apartment

Depart by coach or car to drive via Blenheim for the East Coast journey to Christchurch (alternatively take the Coastal Pacific train from Blenheim to Kaikoura).

Stop off in Blenheim at one of the wineries to taste some of New Zealand’s best sauvignon blanc.

Arrive at your accommodation in Kaikoura right on the seafront.

Apartment

Up early to take a three hour marine adventure into the Pacific to view giant sperm whales in their natural environment. There’s also a chance you will see Dusky dolphins and the rare Hector dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and a large variety of seabirds.

In the afternoon continue your journey by car or train to Christchurch.

Apartment

Day at leisure to enjoy the ‘Garden City’, which has also been described as “the most English city outside England”. Take a punt on the River Avon, stroll through the Botanic Gardens, and ride the city’s historic tram.

You may also wish to observe the re-building of the Cathedral, browse the shops and stalls of the Arts Centre or visit the Canterbury Museum and the Art Gallery.

Private Hotel

Depart Christchurch and travel across the Canterbury plains through rural towns and farm lands. Stop at Lake Tekapo to see the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd with its views from the altar window across the lake and mountains then travel into Mount Cook National Park, a spectacular alpine region featuring the highest peak in Australasia.

In the evening view the night sky with trained guides using the latest state of the art telescopes and binoculars.

Apartment

Sir Edmund Hillary climbed these peaks before his ascent of Everest. Visit the Alpine Centre that bears his name, before following the Hooker Valley Track for superb views of Mount Cook.

Drive to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand.

Apartment

There are dozens of activities from bungy jumping to white-water rafting, from horse riding to zorbing. Or soak up the scenery from the deck of the TSS Earnslaw as she steams up Lake Wakatipu.

Apartment

A full day excursion to Milford Sound travelling through the dramatic scenery of the Fiordland National Park. On arrival at Milford Sound enjoy a nature cruise by boat cruising past Mitre Peak and along the full length of the fiord with its cascading waterfalls, steep cliff faces and native rainforest to the Tasman Sea. On your return journey there is the option to take a scenic flight back to Queenstown.

Apartment

Leave your rental vehicle at Queenstown international Airport and depart on your flight home with everlasting memories of an amazing family holiday.