Awesome New Zealand Itinerary for Families

Planning a trip to New Zealand is at the top of my bucket list. Thankfully, I can live vicariously through our contributor, Heidi Gollub, who took her family on a New Zealand road trip during the summer. Heidi’s sharing the best places to visit on a New Zealand vacation from the North Island to the South Island and everywhere in between. Use her New Zealand itinerary to help plan your trip.

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What Is the Best New Zealand Itinerary for Families?

The best New Zealand itinerary for families covers both islands: start with Auckland, Hobbiton, and Rotorua on the North Island, then fly to Queenstown on the South Island for adventure activities. Contributor Heidi Gollub did this with her family of seven in five days, visiting Tamaki Maori Village, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, the Skyline Luge, and the Shotover Jet. Ten days gives a more relaxed pace and room for Milford Sound.

Best Things to Do in New Zealand with Kids

My most vivid childhood vacation memories are of family trips to New Zealand: touching a glacier, eating a meat pie, whale watching, and soaking in mud pools.

Everything I saw and experienced as a kid in New Zealand was so different from my everyday life. Magical. I wanted my own children to have a similar experience of wonder. So, this past summer, I booked a trip to visit New Zealand’s North and South Islands for our family of seven.

Our New Zealand trip was very quick. We only had five days to see the country. This meant, sadly, we didn’t have enough time to take a 25-hour drive, by ferry, from Auckland on the North Island to Milford Sound on the South Island. We opted instead to fly. Note: don’t be deceived by New Zealand’s size. The country has over 15,000 km of coastline and spans roughly 1,600 km from north to south, making it larger than most visitors expect.

After two days on the North Island, we flew Air New Zealand from Auckland to Queenstown, for two days on the South Island.

I would definitely recommend planning a longer trip than ours, but we did manage to cram an awful lot of fun into those few days! Hopefully, this helps with planning your own New Zealand itinerary.

How Many Days Do You Need for a New Zealand Family Trip?

Most families need at least 10-14 days to see both islands without feeling rushed. That said, a focused 5-7 day trip is absolutely doable if you pick one region and commit to it.

Our trip was five days total: two on the North Island (Auckland, Hobbiton, Rotorua) and two on the South Island (Queenstown), with a travel day in between. It was short, and we felt it. We missed Milford Sound, the Abel Tasman coast, and plenty of Rotorua’s geothermal parks. Would we have loved more time? Absolutely.

Here’s a rough guide:

●5-7 days: Pick one island. North Island gives you Hobbiton, Rotorua’s geothermal wonders, and Māori culture. South Island gives you Queenstown, the Remarkables, and Lake Wakatipu.

●10 days: Cover both islands comfortably, with a ferry or short flight between them. This is the sweet spot for most first-time family visitors.

●2 weeks or more: Add Milford Sound, the Coromandel Peninsula, Abel Tasman National Park, or a glaciers detour on the South Island’s West Coast.

New Zealand is bigger than it looks on a map. Factor in driving time; roads are scenic but winding, and distances between highlights take longer than you expect.

Best Time to Visit New Zealand with Kids

New Zealand’s seasons are reversed from the Northern Hemisphere. Summer runs December through February, and winter runs June through August.

We visited in winter (the Northern Hemisphere summer), which meant snow in Queenstown and chilly, rainy days in Rotorua. It was still a brilliant trip, but pack layers and rain gear if you go in June through August.

The best months for a family trip are generally:

●December to February (New Zealand summer): Long days, warm weather, beaches, and all outdoor activities open. Also peak season, so book accommodation and tours well in advance.

●March to May (autumn): Fewer crowds, lower prices, and beautiful fall colors on the South Island. A great shoulder-season pick for families.

●September to November (spring): Landscapes turn green, weather warms up, and lamb season means fields full of the sheep New Zealand is famous for.

Winter (June through August) works well for Queenstown skiing and snowboarding, but some South Island hiking trails may be closed or icy. Rainbow Springs and most North Island attractions run year-round.

For families traveling from the US during school summer break (June through August), just know you’re arriving in New Zealand’s winter. Still worthwhile, but plan accordingly.

Which Part of New Zealand Is Best for Families?

Both islands are excellent for families, but they offer very different experiences.

North Island is better for:

●Maori culture (Tamaki Maori Village in Rotorua is the highest-rated tourist attraction in New Zealand on TripAdvisor)

●Geothermal activity (geysers, bubbling mud pools, neon crater lakes at Wai-O-Tapu)

●Hobbiton, which is unmissable for any family with a Tolkien fan

●Wildlife: Rainbow Springs is the world’s largest kiwi hatching facility

●Gentler terrain and easier driving overall

South Island is better for:

●Adventure: Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world, with luging, jet boating, bungee jumping, and skiing

●Dramatic mountain scenery (The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Milford Sound)

●Hiking: Lake Wakatipu and Bob’s Cove Track are easy enough for young kids

●Snow activities in winter

If you only have one week, pick one island and go deep. If you have ten days or more, fly between them (Air New Zealand connects Auckland to Queenstown in about three hours) and experience both.

For younger kids, the North Island’s mix of wildlife, culture, and geothermal parks tends to be the bigger hit. Older kids and teens usually go wild for Queenstown’s adventure offerings.

New Zealand North Island itinerary

Auckland

Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand, with an urban population of more than 1.5 million. Driving our rental car from the airport to downtown — on the left, in the dark, in the rain — was harrowing.

So, while I’m sure there is plenty to do in Auckland, I was quite happy to leave the city bright and early the next day, in search of greener pastures and less traffic.

We had a nice breakfast (which included the interesting New Zealand staple of spaghetti) and headed off, looking for sheep, rolling hills, and Hobbit holes.

Hobbiton

If I had been visiting New Zealand on my own, I might have skipped the Hobbiton Movie Set tour. Because good grief, it is expensive.

But my husband is a Tolkien fan, so we headed two and a half hours south of Auckland to visit the pastures of the Shire. I’m glad we did.

The sun was shining and it was easy to see why Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit director Sir Peter Jackson chose this sheep farm for his 12-acre movie set. The exceptionally lush Waikato region of the North Island is truly a slice of heaven.

Hobbiton Movie Set tours start at The Shire’s Rest, a café and gift shop. Approximately every 10 minutes, a new tour bus leaves to transport guests to Middle-earth. I was thankful I had purchased our tickets online because even in winter, every coach was full.

We chose the Tour + Meal option, so our tour started with a delicious lunch banquet. Then, we followed our guide on trails leading to a series of Hobbit holes, and learned quite a lot about the filming of the movies.

After walking through woods, past the Mill, and over a bridge, our tour ended in The Green Dragon Inn for a nice, warm drink by the fire. It was a delightful afternoon and included some of the best scenery of our trip.

Rotorua

Continuing south, we headed to Rotorua, a town known for its geothermal activity (with accompanying sulfur smell) and Maori culture. We checked into our hotel and rushed out front to be picked up for another tour. This one, a dinner tour of Tamaki Maori Village, is TripAdvisor’s highest-rated tourist attraction in New Zealand.

Tamaki Maori Village

The guests with whom we shared a bus to Tamaki Maori Village became our tribe for the evening. One lucky gentleman was named our chief. When we arrived at the village, we stayed with our tribe and watched our designated chief participate in a welcome ceremony.

Entering the village, we stepped back in time and learned about Maori language, tattoos, traditions, dance, games, history, and song. As we moved through stations as a tribe, we interacted with different residents of the village. My teenage son was picked to try a Maori game.

At another station, my husband was taught how to pound his chest, stick out his tongue, and yell like a Maori man.

Following these demonstrations, we were treated to a traditional song and dance performance and a delicious meal. It was a delightful evening, and the kids loved every minute.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

The next day, we headed out to see geysers and colorful crater lakes. There are several places nearby that boast geothermal activity viewing, for a fee. We chose Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, twenty minutes south of Rotorua.

Here, for the price of admission, we were granted access to self-guided hikes through some of the area’s natural attractions. 

Unique features at the park include colorful springs, steaming ground, volcanic craters, neon water, and the Lady Knox Geyser, which erupts daily at 10:15 a.m.

We spent a long time taking selfies in front of oddly colored pools and being awed by bubbling mud. It was a nice change of pace, wandering around on our own without needing to stick with a group. Kids of all ages love the visual spectacle here, and the self-guided format means you can linger wherever holds their attention.

Rainbow Springs Nature Park

But, we had to keep moving – my teenage son insisted on finding a kiwi. Given they are nocturnal birds, it seemed unlikely we would find one on our own. I thought it best to head to Rainbow Springs, the world’s largest kiwi hatching facility.

This small Rotorua wildlife park is a delightful mix of animals and play areas, but it is almost entirely outside. It was raining when we visited, so we didn’t get to enjoy it as much as I would have liked.

Instead, we rushed through the outdoor fish and bird exhibits. The guided kiwi tour was indoors, thankfully, and we were able to view a few kiwi inside the nocturnal house. Mission accomplished.

Queenstown

The next day, we flew to Queenstown and found snow in New Zealand! Much colder on the South Island, we bundled up and explored this ski town.

Known as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown was hopping with tourists looking to try bungee jumping, luging, jet boating, skiing, snowboarding, and winter sports galore. We couldn’t wait to get in on the action.

Skyline Luge

First things first, we needed to get up into the mountains. I bought tickets for Skyline Queenstown and we hopped aboard a gondola for panoramic views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables mountain range, Lake Wakatipu, and Cecil and Walter Peaks.

Once at the top, we all tried the Skyline Luge, a slightly terrifying thrill ride that zips you downhill on low luges, around tight bends, and through tunnels. It proved too scary for my five-year-old — even when riding tandem with me — but my older kids went again and again.

Playing with a Yooner

After a taste of mountain fun, we wanted more! We headed to the Coronet Peak Ski Area to play in the snow. Here, you can rent a sledge (plastic sled) or something called a Yooner. We rented a few of each but the Yooners were the real hit.

These fun contraptions let you sit on a single ski. They require a bit of balance, but go really fast. So, we stayed and Yoonered on ski slopes until we were all soaked through and freezing.

Skiing at The Remarkables

We had originally planned to spend a day skiing at The Remarkables, but changed plans after realizing how cold it was without proper ski gear. We did head up to the lodge to see the resort, and while the views are incredible, the drive up the mountain is very, very scary.

If you’d like to ski here, I’d recommend parking at Coronet Peak and catching the shuttle bus over to The Remarkables.

Nature Hike at Lake Wakatipu and Wilson Bay

Instead of skiing, we spent a low-key morning exploring Queenstown on foot, ate at the iconic Fergburger, and walked through the free Queenstown Gardens.

Then, we struck out of town to take a hike on Bob’s Cove Track. This was amazing. Walking alongside Lake Wakatipu, the scenery was stunning. Hiking was easy for the kids and we took lots of breaks to let them skip stones, climb trees, and build forts out of fallen tree branches.

We then drove a little way to Wilson Bay, which offered more breathtaking views. We had a wonderful, relaxing time and encountered very few other people.

Jet boat ride through a canyon

For one last adventure in Queenstown, I splurged on a jet boat ride. Shotover Jet was a huge hit with everyone except the 5-year-old (who was freezing) and my husband (who didn’t love the constant spinning of the boat).

Everyone else said it was their favorite part of our New Zealand trip. On this boat, you get wet. Very, very wet. It flies through a canyon at high speed, doing 360 turns, and very narrowly misses walls at every turn.

It is so much fun, but in winter it is extremely cold. I remember loving jet boating as a kid, in spite of the chill, so I was happy to share this experience with my thrill-seeking children.

Looking for more adventure? Here’s our New Zealand adventure bucket list!

Milford Sound

My only regret is that we didn’t make it to Milford Sound. On the map, the fjord looks deceptively close to Queenstown, but the drive is eight hours roundtrip, which makes for a long day, and the sun sets early in winter.

There are tours from Queenstown, but I wasn’t sure my kids would love a twelve and a half-hour bus excursion. I was conflicted, but ultimately decided to save it for another visit when we have more time. It’s always good to have a reason to go back. And my family is unanimous – we all hope to return to New Zealand one day!

Shoulder seasons (March, April, September, November) offer milder weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices, making sightseeing easier with children.

Winter (June, August) is great for snow sports in Queenstown and Wanaka, but pack warm layers and check for road closures. Book early during local school holiday periods, especially for popular attractions.

Key Takeaways

• 5 days minimum, 10 days ideal for covering both islands without feeling rushed.
• North Island highlights: Hobbiton, Rotorua’s geothermal parks, Tamaki Maori Village, and Rainbow Springs kiwi hatching facility.
• South Island highlights: Queenstown adventure activities, mountain scenery, and easy family hikes at Lake Wakatipu.
• Fly between islands. The drive via ferry is 25 hours, Air New Zealand connects Auckland to Queenstown in about three hours.
• Buy Hobbiton tickets online in advance. Tours sell out even in winter.
• Shotover Jet is thrilling but very cold in winter: the five-year-old was not a fan, but older kids loved every second.
• New Zealand’s summer is December through February: families traveling during Northern Hemisphere summer arrive in New Zealand’s winter, so pack layers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good itinerary for a New Zealand trip with kids?

A solid family itinerary runs like this: Day 1-2, Auckland and Hobbiton; Day 3-4, Rotorua (Tamaki Maori Village, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rainbow Springs); Day 5, fly to Queenstown; Day 6-7, Queenstown (Skyline Luge, Shotover Jet, Lake Wakatipu hike, Yoonering at Coronet Peak). That’s a tight but doable seven-day version.

Add three extra days for Milford Sound and more breathing room on both islands. Ten days total is the sweet spot for a first family visit.

Is Hobbiton worth visiting with kids?

Yes, especially for families with Tolkien fans or kids who’ve watched the Lord of the Rings movies. The Waikato region’s setting is stunning, and the guided walking tour is engaging for all ages. The Tour + Meal option adds a banquet lunch and ends with a warm drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Buy tickets online well in advance, as tours sell out even in winter; I was thankful I had done exactly that before we arrived.

What adventure activities in Queenstown are suitable for young kids?

The Skyline Gondola and Luge are the most family-friendly options: the gondola ride is calm, and the views are spectacular, while older kids can ride the luge again and again.

The Shotover Jet boat is thrilling and very wet, best for kids who don’t mind cold and high excitement. Very young children (around age five) may find both the luge and jet boat too intense; our five-year-old confirmed this firsthand.

Yoonering (sitting on a single ski) at Coronet Peak is a fun, lower-stakes snow activity that works well for kids of most ages.

Is Hobbiton worth it for kids?

Yes, especially for families with Tolkien fans or kids who’ve watched the movies. The setting in the Waikato region is genuinely stunning, and the guided walking tour is engaging for all ages. Buy tickets online well in advance, as tours sell out even in winter.

About the author: Heidi Gollub is an award-winning editor and travel writer based in Austin, Texas. She has launched nine websites, founded three digital marketing companies, and has led teams at U.S. News and World Report, Forbes Advisor and USA TODAY Blueprint. The original content was edited by Kirsten Maxwell.