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15-Day Family Fun in New Zealand

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Overview

Embark on an exciting fun-filled New Zealand family trip from the North Island to the South Island on this 15-day tour!

With your own rental car and a jam-packed itinerary of family-friendly, adrenaline-fuelled activities, you'll travel from Auckland to Rotorua, Kaikoura and Wellington exploring the North Island. You'll then catch the InterIslander ferry to Picton to begin your journey through the South Island. After a few days marvelling at the sights of Picton, Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura and Christchurch, you'll head to the adrenaline capital of New Zealand, Queenstown for your final few days.

This is a brilliant, fun-filled family holiday that is perfect for those wishing to see the best of New Zealand!
Outdoors & Nature
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Adventure
Cruising
Wellness

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Auckland, the City of Sails!

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Welcome to Auckland, the City of Sails!

Upon arrival, you'll pick up your rental car and make your way to your hotel. You'll check into your hotel and then have the rest of the day free to spend as you wish. Auckland is the main gateway city to New Zealand. You are free to hop on a ferry, bus or in a taxi and spend a few hours exploring the shopping district of Queen Street, the Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium, the panoramic views from the Sky Tower or the vineyards on nearby Waiheke Island.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heritage Auckland4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    AucklandOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Auckland Airport to Auckland

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Auckland

Day 2

Explore Devonport & Auckland

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Explore Devonport & Auckland

Take the ferry over to Devonport to see the city from a different perspective! On arrival, your Explorer Tour minibus will await you. Experience the charm of historic Devonport and hear stories of the seaside village's past - from the original Maori settlements to today's naval operations. You'll pass beautiful Victorian homes, head to the top of volcanic cones and relax on Cheltenham Beach. In the afternoon, you can do the SkyWalk, and later, the Harbour Sailing dinner cruise.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heritage Auckland4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Explorer Tour of Devonport from Auckland

    SkyWalkOptional Activity

    Harbour Cruise with Explore with Lunch/DinnerOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Ferry from Auckland to Devonport

    Ferry from Devonport to Auckland

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Auckland

Day 3

Drive to Whitianga & Glass Bottom Boat Scenic Cruise

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Drive to Whitianga & Glass Bottom Boat Scenic Cruise

This morning, you'll drive to Whitianga, the beautiful coastal town in the Coromandel region. In the afternoon, you'll enjoy a glass-bottom scenic boat cruise. You'll visit Cathedral Cove, the sea caves, volcanic rock formations and pinnacles. This is the only Cathedral Cove tour that can offer a window into the marine world along the coast. Sit back and watch the amazing marine life through the glass panels or take the plunge and snorkel amongst the fish.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Oceans Resort Whitianga4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Glass Bottom Scenic Boat Cruise

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Auckland to Whitianga

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Auckland

    Whitianga

Day 4

Drive to Rotorua via Hobbiton Movie Set

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Drive to Rotorua via Hobbiton Movie Set

Today, you'll drive to Rotorua, the geothermal capital of New Zealand. On the way, you'll make a stop at the famous Hobbiton movie set for a tour to experience the real Middle-earth. You can step into the lush pastures of the ShireTM, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Your guide will then escort you around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made. You'll then continue to Rotorua.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Millennium Hotel Rotorua4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Whitianga to Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours

    Rental Car from Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours to Rotorua

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Whitianga

    Matamata

    Rotorua

Day 5

Ulimate Zipline Canopy Tour & Te Pō Evening Experience

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Ulimate Zipline Canopy Tour & Te Pō Evening Experience

Today, you'll enjoy the thrill of Rotorua Ultimate Zipline Canopy Tour, while learning about the conservation efforts to protect the native birds. This journey takes you deeper into untouched New Zealand forest – this experience will show you the New Zealand you came to see. In the evening, you'll join an amazing cultural experience. The Te Pō Tour is a one of a kind feast of storytelling, entertainment and Māori cuisine.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Millennium Hotel Rotorua4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Rotorua Ultimate Zipline Canopy Tour

    Te Po Evening Experience

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Rotorua

Day 6

Drive to Taupo, Huka Falls Jetboat & Onwards to Wellington

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Drive to Taupo, Huka Falls Jetboat & Onwards to Wellington

This morning, you'll drive to Taupo town, a picturesque town by the side of the Great Lake Taupo. On the way, you'll stop for an adventure-filled Huka Falls Jetboat ride with its legendary 360-degree spins. After a short stop in Taupo, you'll continue to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Wellington is popular for its café culture, live music and shopping. You can explore Cuba Street and Oriental Bay in your free time in the evening.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    CityLife Wellington4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hukafalls Jet Taupo

    TaupoOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Rotorua to Taupo

    Rental Car from Taupo to Wellington

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Rotorua

    Waikato

    Taupo

    Wellington

Day 7

Te Papa Museum & ZEALANDIA

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Te Papa Museum & ZEALANDIA

Today, you can explore Wellington through two of its major attractions. The first is the Te Papa Museum where you can learn more about New Zealand's culture and the environment through its national museum. In the afternoon, you can visit ZEALANDIA, which is the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary, with an extraordinary 500-year vision to restore a Wellington valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems as closely as possible to their pre-human state.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    CityLife Wellington4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
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    Activities

    Te Papa Tongarewa

    ZEALANDIA

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wellington

Day 8

InterIslander Ferry to Picton

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InterIslander Ferry to Picton

This morning, you'll have an early breakfast and head to the port where you'll drop off your rental car before boarding your ferry. The InterIslander ferry is the longest-running Cook Strait ferry service in New Zealand. InterIslander sails between Wellington (North Island) and Picton (South Island). This is known as one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world and one of New Zealand's most iconic tourism experiences. On arrival in Picton, you'll pick up your rental car.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Picton Yacht Club Hotel3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Interislander Ferry - Wellington to Picton

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Wellington to Interislander Wellington

    Rental Car from Picton to Picton Yacht Club Hotel

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wellington

    Picton

Day 9

Picton Private Water Taxi Scenic Cruise & Drive to Hanmar Springs

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Picton Private Water Taxi Scenic Cruise & Drive to Hanmar Springs

This morning, you'll head off on a private water taxi scenic cruise experience, a one-hour ‘Round The Bays’ cruise. On your own private boat, it takes you on a tour of discovery of Queen Charlotte Sound's most beautiful bays. After having cruised around the bay taking in some amazing waterfront properties and wildlife nestled up in the cove, together you'll feed the pet fish from the boat. You'll then drive to the cute mountain town of Hanmer Springs where you can enjoy geothermal pools.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bella Vista Motel Hanmer Springs

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Private Water Taxi Scenic Cruise

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Picton to Hanmer Springs

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Picton

    Hanmer Springs

Day 10

Explore Hanmer Springs & Drive to Kaikoura

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Explore Hanmer Springs & Drive to Kaikoura

Today, you'll have the morning to explore Hanmer Springs. The best place to indulge, with a range of 22 outdoor thermal pools including the new cascades, relaxing rock pools, soothing sulphur pools, an array of water jets and bubbles; the thermal pools of Hanmer Springs are set at a range of temperatures. In the afternoon, you'll drive to Kaikoura and spend the night.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The White Morph4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hanmer SpringsOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Hanmer Springs to Kaikoura

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hanmer Springs

    Kaikoura

Day 11

Whale Watch Kaikoura & Drive to Christchurch

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Whale Watch Kaikoura & Drive to Christchurch

This morning, you'll head out to kick off the must-do activity in Kaikoura - whale watching! Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand fur seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. In the afternoon, you'll head off to Christchurch, stopping off at Kaikoura Seafood BBQ Kiosk for lunch if you wish!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heritage Christchurch4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Whale Watch Kaikoura

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Kaikoura to Christchurch

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kaikoura

    Canterbury

    Christchurch

Day 12

Drive to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo

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Drive to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo

This morning, after breakfast, you'll start your drive to Queenstown. On the way, you'll stop at Lake Tekapo. There are some beautiful attractions here, including the Church of the Good Shephard, which is one of the most photographed places! Upon arrival in Queenstown, after a six-hour drive, you'll check into your hotel and have the rest of the day and evening free to spend as you wish.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heritage Queenstown4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Lake Tekapo

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Christchurch to Queenstown

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Christchurch

    Lake Tekapo

    Queenstown

Day 13

Shotover Whitwater Rafting, Skyline Gondola, Luge Ride, Dinner & Stargazing

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Shotover Whitwater Rafting, Skyline Gondola, Luge Ride, Dinner & Stargazing

Your morning will start with an unforgettable coach trip through Skippers Canyon, famous for its exciting cliff edges, enough to get your adrenaline pumping before you hit the water. You'll experience grade 3–5 whitewater rapids in one of the most scenic environments in the world. Later on, you'll take a scenic ride in the iconic Skyline Gondola, take the driving seat with the gravity-fuelled Skyline Luge and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner at the famous Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heritage Queenstown4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Shotover Jet Queenstown

    Skyline Gondola & Luge Rides

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Stratosfare Restaurant & Stargazing on Bob's Peak

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

Day 14

Milford Sound Day Trip

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Milford Sound Day Trip

This morning, you'll travel to Milford Sound, situated on the west coast of the South Island. It is a world-renowned natural wonder with towering peaks, cascading waterfalls and amazing wildlife. The journey through Milford Road, starting from the beautiful Te Anau Lake, is an experience of a lifetime. For breathtaking, awe-inspiring scenery, you can take a one hour and 40 minute Milford Sound cruise which includes an international buffet lunch. You'll then head back to Queenstown.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Heritage Queenstown4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Milford Sound

    Milford Sound Nature Cruise

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Queenstown to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi

    Rental Car from Milford Sound / Piopiotahi to Queenstown

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

    New Zealand

    Milford Sound

Day 15

Departure Day

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Departure Day

This day concludes your New Zealand family trip. After breakfast, you'll drive to Queenstown Airport and drop off your rental car. You'll then catch your flight to Auckland and then your international flight home.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Queenstown to Queenstown Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Queenstown

Included in Price

  • 14 nights accommodation
  • 16 activities
  • 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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