New Zealand offers dramatic landscapes ranging from volcanic peaks to pristine fjords, vibrant Maori culture, and world-class adventure activities. From the cosmopolitan cities of Auckland and Wellington to the stunning natural wonders of Milford Sound and Mount Cook, this island nation delivers unforgettable experiences for every type of traveler.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium
Auckland's popular aquarium features live penguins (in a snow-cooled Antarctic zone), a shark tunnel, and interactive stingray touch pool. The Scott Base Antarctic replica is educational and atmospheric for all ages.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Skyline Queenstown Luge
Ride the Skyline gondola up Bob's Peak for panoramic Lake Wakatipu views, then zoom down three gravity luge tracks of varying difficulty. Multiple rides provide excellent family value in spectacular mountain surroundings.
Duration: 2-4 hours
Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata
Walk through the authentic Hobbit Holes, Green Dragon Inn, and gardens of Hobbiton on a working Waikato sheep farm. Even children unfamiliar with Lord of the Rings are enchanted by the magical movie-set village.
Duration: 2 hours (guided tour)
Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park, Rotorua
See live kiwi birds up close in a nocturnal house, plus trout springs, native birds, and a tuatara exhibit. Rainbow Springs operates New Zealand's largest kiwi hatchery and offers a genuine wildlife connection for young children.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Te Papa Museum, Wellington
New Zealand's national museum on Wellington's waterfront has dedicated interactive zones for children, a colossal squid specimen, earthquake simulator, and vast natural history exhibits. Free admission makes this exceptional family value.
Duration: 3-5 hours
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Float in silence through an underground cavern lit by thousands of glowworms on a guided boat tour. Children are usually mesmerised by the natural spectacle — book in advance as tours fill quickly.
Duration: 45 minutes (standard tour)
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
QT Queenstown
Stylish lakefront hotel in central Queenstown with connecting room options, a heated pool, and the excellent Bazaar Interactive Market Kitchen suited to families with diverse tastes.
Family features: Connecting rooms, heated pool, central location, kids amenities pack
Novotel Auckland Airport
Attached directly to Auckland Airport terminals with an excellent pool, family rooms sleeping up to 4, and a full buffet breakfast. Ideal for families with early or late flights or as a first/last night stopover.
Family features: Indoor pool, family rooms (4 person), children's menu, airport terminal access
Top 10 Holiday Parks (nationwide)
The Top 10 Holiday Park chain operates excellent family-friendly parks throughout New Zealand with jumping pillows, heated pools, children's playgrounds, and self-contained cabins. An authentically New Zealand family accommodation experience.
Family features: Jumping pillows, heated pools, children's playgrounds, BBQ facilities, self-contained cabins
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Most New Zealand cafes and restaurants welcome children and provide high chairs upon request.
Children's menus are widely available at family restaurants and typically cost NZD $10-16 for a small meal.
New Zealand supermarkets (Countdown, New World, Pak'nSave) stock excellent ready-to-eat foods including sushi, hot rotisserie chicken, and sandwiches for cheaper family meals.
Many holiday parks have communal BBQ facilities — buying fresh lamb chops or sausages from a supermarket and cooking outdoors is a budget-friendly family dinner option.
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Rent or request child car seats when booking your rental car — required by law for children under 7 years old and available from all major rental companies.
New Zealand school holidays fall in December-January, Easter weekend, two weeks in April, two weeks in July, and two weeks in September-October — accommodation books out at these times.
Playgrounds (playcentres) are in every New Zealand neighbourhood and are free — excellent for letting children run off energy during long driving days.
Pack sunscreen SPF50+ for all family members — New Zealand's UV levels are extreme year-round and children burn quickly even on overcast days.