Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
New Zealand – Auckland – Whitianga – Rotorua – Queenstown
100% customisable for you
Bags packed, passports at the ready and excitement levels officially sky-high – today’s the day you and the family are off to New Zealand.
Head to the airport, whizz through security and bundle onto the plane for the 25-hour overnight flight to Auckland, with a quick stop in a Middle Eastern hub along the way. It’ll likely be the longest flight the little ones have ever taken, so arm yourselves with our Sharky & George fun packs and plenty of snacks to see you through the inevitable chorus of ‘are we there yet?’.
When you touch down in Auckland, you’ll be met and privately transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city.
All that travelling is bound to have worked up an appetite, so tuck into your first New Zealand brunch before stretching your legs with a gentle wander.
With an 11-hour time difference to contend with, don’t be surprised if sleepiness starts setting in sooner than usual. Retreat back to your hotel this evening and turn in for an early night – tomorrow promises plenty more excitement.
Hopefully, after an early night, everyone’s bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and raring to go for your first full day in Auckland.
Kick things off at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, where you’ll uncover tales from the country’s history, delve into exhibitions exploring Maori cultures and learn all about New Zealand’s abundance of wildlife. Who said family holidays can’t be educational and fun?
This evening, we’ve secured you tickets to the iconic Sky Tower, which stands at a whopping 1,076ft high – the second tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere. Whizz to the top in time for sunset and watch as the sky turns from fiery shades of orange and pink to deep blue, lit up by the twinkling city skyline. Let the oohing and aahing commence...
Travelling with miniature animal aficionados ? We can also arrange a cruise around the Hauraki archipelago, with plenty of opportunities to spot whales, dolphins and other marine life along the way.
Ready for the first leg of your New Zealand road trip? Pick up the keys to your hire car this morning for the two-and-a-half-hour drive east to Whitianga. It’s an easy-breezy journey, with stretches tracing the shimmering Coromandel coastline along the way, so tune into our destination-specific playlist, roll the windows down and cue the family singalong.
When you arrive, settle into a cosy cottage – your home for the next three nights. Drop your bags and make a beeline for the beach, where the little ones will no doubt be straight to work making sandcastles while grown-ups watch on from the sunloungers – perhaps with a cocktail in hand to celebrate your arrival?
Nothing says New Zealand quite like a beach barbecue under the shade of swaying palms. For dinner this evening, fire up the grill and feast on smoky sausages, sizzling seafood and fresh veggies, before treating the youngsters to an ice cream as the sun dips below the horizon.
Don your swimwear and lather on the sunscreen this morning before hopping aboard a kayak at the waterfront. Grab your paddles and see who can find their rhythm first before the inevitable family race commences...
Drift through the Cathedral Cove Reserve, known as Te Whanganui-A-Hei in Maori, keeping score of all the weird and wonderful rock formations you spot along the way. Then, follow your guide towards the mighty stone arch that gives Cathedral Cove its name, carved by centuries of crashing waves.
Your guide will also give you the lowdown on the wildlife that thrives along this coastline, so keep your eyes peeled for adorable New Zealand fur seals snoozing in the sunshine – hearts are sure to melt.
Cap off the day salt-speckled and ruddy-cheeked at a local restaurant, where seafood and crispy fries are a match made in heaven.
If your family is happiest in the great outdoors, today’s bound to be a highlight. This morning, head out to explore the nearby Coromandel National Park, following nature trails and competing to spot the elusive fantail bird. The winner rides shotgun tomorrow.
Still receiving rave reviews after yesterday’s kayaking escapade? There’s plenty more splashing about to be done. Climb into a canoe and glide across Mercury Bay, navigate the twists and turns of the rapids by raft or cast a line and see who can reel in the biggest catch.
Back on dry land, venture deeper into the forest via 309 Road, hike to New Chums Beach or, if you’ve got any avid history buffs in tow, learn all about the region’s past at the Mercury Bay Museum.
If you really want to tire the youngsters out, arm them with buckets and spades at Hot Water Beach. Their mission? Dig until they strike gold – and by gold, we mean the warming hot springs below...
Buckle up for the three-hour drive to Rotorua this morning, either skirting around Coromandel Forest Park or taking the coastal route for sparkling Pacific views. Along the way, challenge the little ones to a game of I-Spy – bonus points for sheep, surfers and anything suitably Kiwi.
When you arrive, herd the excitable youngsters into your charming guesthouse perched on the lake – your peaceful retreat for the next three nights.
After a few jam-packed days, spend the rest of the afternoon lazing by the pool, making a dent in your holiday reads or sneaking in an afternoon snooze.
As dusk falls, embark on a treetop adventure through Whakarewarewa Forest, steeped in Maori heritage. Follow the glow of lanterns across suspension bridges strung between century-old redwoods, sequoias and silver ferns, climbing higher into the canopy. It all feels wonderfully otherworldly, so don’t be surprised if talk soon turns to elves, fairies and whatever else might be hiding among the ancient trees...
Rise and shine: it’s another fun-filled day in Rotorua. Gear up for the 20-minute drive to Wai-O-Tapu (meaning sacred waters in Maori), a geothermal spectacle shaped by centuries of volcanic activity.
Once you’ve seen what Wai-O-Tapu has in store, you’ll soon forgive the sulphur smell lingering in the air. Wander past bubbling mudpools, steaming fumaroles and spurting geysers, marvelling at pools awash with surreal shades of azure and fiery orange. Along the way, learn how Maori communities have traditionally used these mineral-rich waters for their healing properties – another fun fact for the family trivia bank.
When everyone has had their fill of geothermal wonders, make your way back to the hotel before seeking out some local Maori fare for dinner. Perhaps try a hangi, where meat and vegetables are cooked low and slow over glowing coals – likely to be a big hit with the youngsters.
Have a family of thrill-seekers on your hands? You’re in luck. Today, venture into the heart of the nearby native forest, where walking trails and treetop platforms lead you up into the canopy. Take a moment to admire the dizzying views before strapping in and hurtling back to earth on an exhilarating zip line. Excitement (and probably a few shrieks) guaranteed.
After all that adrenaline-inducing action, retreat to the hotel to while away the afternoon in a swinging hammock – well deserved after your high-flying treetop antics.
Keep those good vibes going with a restaurant recommendation from our local Concierge. Just tell them what the children are craving.
Another day, another road trip. Stock up the snack stash, crank up the tunes and hit the road for the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Auckland Airport.
When you arrive, return your hire car and board your flight to Queenstown, located on New Zealand’s South Island. You’ll spend around two hours in the air – plenty of time to whip out the travel games and establish who’s claiming that highly coveted window seat.
When you touch down, pick up your next hire car and make the short drive to your villa, your home away from home for the next three nights.
As hunger strikes this evening, follow the irresistible aromas to a nearby street food market for a dazzling display of multicultural flavours. Even the fussiest little eaters are likely to find something that earns their stamp of approval.
This morning, hop aboard a gondola up to a mountainside playground overlooking Queenstown, where five exhilarating descents await. Here, clamber into a gravity-powered luge cart and tackle the 5,200ft downhill track, twisting and turning towards the finish line. Hold on tight and channel your competitive spirit – there could be a future racing champion in your midst.
The whole experience will be immortalised in photos and videos, so expect the youngsters to remind you time and again exactly who beat who to the bottom...
Still raring to go? We can also arrange a jet boat cruise along the Dart River and across the shimmering waters of Lake Wakatipu.
Come dinnertime, seek out a local seafood spot and tuck into Queenstown’s famous mussels – perfect for ravenous racers after a day on the tracks.
Fuel up with a stack of pancakes drizzled in local manuka honey this morning, then embark on a drive through Queenstown’s rolling farmland to Deer Park Heights.
When you arrive, purchase a bag of feed for the park’s friendly resident deer and watch the little ones’ faces light up as their new four-legged friends happily (and gently) nibble from their hands. Keep wandering and you’ll also find goats and miniature ponies roaming the paddocks, then settle down for lunch in a postcard-perfect picnic spot.
Finish up the day with a final amble along marked walking trails. Movie buffs will rejoice in the nearby forest, where the enchanting scenery looks every bit the film set – quite literally, as it was featured in the Lord of the Rings saga.
For your last evening, leave dinner plans in the hands of our local Concierge, who’ll know just the spot for a celebratory final meal.
Time flies when you’re having fun and, sadly, your adventure across New Zealand has come to an end. Tuck into one last hearty breakfast before grabbing a bag of freshly baked pastries to keep everyone smiling on the journey home.
Then, it’s back behind the wheel for the short drive to Queenstown Airport, where you’ll return your trusty hire car and bundle the little ones onto your overnight flight home. The long-haul will likely include two connections along the way, in Australia, Asia or the Middle East.
You’ll spend around 32 hours in the air, arriving in the UK the next day. And, if the youngsters are feeling a little teary-eyed that the holiday has come to an end, don’t worry – nothing lifts the spirits quite like planning your next family adventure...
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
