New Zealand is a great destination for family vacations: easy to get around, safe and full of activities that will please every member of the family. If you and your family are looking for inspiration for you next big adventure, look no further than these great, family-friendly New Zealand adventures:
Te Papa
Te Papa is the national museum, located in Wellington. This cool capital city is a popular stop on many New Zealand itineraries, but Te Papa warrants an entire day of its own so be sure to give yourself enough time to explore both the city and the museum.
Filling 36,000 square metres of floor space (imagine three rugby fields), Te Papa offers a comprehensive look into every aspect of New Zealand history and culture. The museum is impeccably curated and interactive enough to captivate the attention of even the most museum-resistant kids.
Whale Watching
Whale watching is an activity that appeals to everyone: young and old. Kids get a kick out of seeing these living, breathing sea monsters up close and even adults are often humbled by the experience. Off the coast of Kaikoura, New Zealand, on the South Island, a year-round population of giant sperm whales makes for some great watching.
Whale Watch Kaikoura runs multiple trips a day, with a 95% success rate in spotting whales. While you’re in Kaikoura, it also pays to check out the seal colony down the road (just follow the yellow signs), where New Zealand fur seals sun on the rocks in between feedings.
Tramping
Above all else, New Zealand is known for its scenic beauty, and there’s no better way to experience this than on a tramp through the backcountry. New Zealand culture is very outdoors-oriented, and you’ll find the parks and trails are extremely accessible and well-kept.
The country is filled with trails and huts to service hikers of all skill levels. If your family has lots of outdoors experience, you can take a multi-day tramp; alternatively, you can find an easy day hike. Check the Department of Conservation (DOC) website to find the right trail for your family.
Rugby
New Zealand is a sports-obsessed country, and no sport gets more love and attention than rugby. The season last from March to October, and if you can, you should definitely check out a game. The All Blacks, New Zealand’s national team, compete at Eden Park in Auckland, while regional centers around the country have their own teams and stadiums.
This is a great opportunity to immerse your family in New Zealand culture and also have a bit of fun choosing your new favourite team and cheering them on.
Hot Pools
New Zealand is a hot bed of geothermal activity, and a number of natural hot springs bubble up from the ground throughout the country. Many of these hot pools have been developed into family-friendly attractions.
Rotorua is the hometown of hot spring activity, with a number of springs to choose from. On the South Island, Hanmer Springs (just north of Christchurch) caters to families and includes water slides, a lazy river, a play area and the SuperBowl ride.