New Zealand Vacation Itinerary - Family Fun - 14 day North and South Island Tour

Family Fun - 14 day North and South Island Tour New Zealand is an outdoor playground for families. Mother Nature has created so much beauty and fun for adults and children to enjoy together; the glow worm caves of Waitomo, the grandeur of Lake Taupo, thermal reserves of Rotorua, beaches of the Coromandel, Queenstown playground, rivers of Wanaka and the famous Milford Sound. All of these highlights are creatively combined on this fun family tour! Book this itinerary

Itinerary

Most flights arrive into Auckland International Airport in the morning hours. A pre-booked family taxi will transport you to your downtown accommodation, no need to juggle a map after your flight! The balance of the day is free to explore the City as you wish. Click on Auckland Activities below for options.
Accommodation: Your accomodation is a two-bedroom hotel suite with kitchen, family room and large bathroom. The hotel is walking distance to the waterfront, Sky City Tower and Queen Street. One night stay.

A Ford Explorer 4WD will be dropped off at your hotel this morning. It's time to venture out of the city and see what New Zealand is really all about! The drive south from Auckland to Waitomo is an easy drive. You travel along the Waikato River, through fertile farmland and through many small towns. Fun stops along the way include Candyland, a cheese factory, and a bird park with New Zealand native birds. Arrival into Waitomo is around noon. We suggest starting off the Waitomo exploration with the Glow Worm Cave tour. It is a wonderful introduction to caves; there is a little boat ride at the end to see the glow-worms. This takes around one hour. A stop at the Angora Bunny Farm is suggested before your final drive for the day south to Lake Taupo.

Accommodation: Your chalet is set on a working deer, sheep and cattle farm with expansive views over Lake Taupo. You will be able to experience farm life, learn of the different breeds of farm animals, farm activities and sheep dog demonstrations. Two night stay.

Taupo offers the family a heap of fun activities. There is an internationally acclaimed golf course, world class trout fishing, thermal water fun park with pools, slides and special soaking tubs and of course Huka Falls. Other attractions in the area include the Prawn Farm, Wairakei Thermal Power Plant, the Volcano Centre, and the Wood Shop with wood turning demonstrations. Lunch can be enjoyed at Cherry Island, the only island on the Waikato River. Here you can dine while watching the bungy jumpers leap from the 45-metre platform off the cliff's edge just a few yards away. Also on Cherry Island are tame animals to pet and trout to feed.

Accommodation: Same as previous night.

On the road from Taupo to Rotorua you may choose to visit Deer World where the children can pet and feed the deer, go on a tour through the farm and try the giant maze. Next stop along the way is Wai-O-Tapu, one of the best thermal gardens in New Zealand. It is around a 1 hour walk through this park with its' geyser that blows at 10:15am, its' many sulphuric vents, bubbling mud and strangely coloured mosses (additional cost). From Wai-O-Tapu it is only a 25 minute drive to Rotorua. You have the balance of the day to enjoy this tourist mecca.

Accommodation: Your accomodation is a large two bedroom suite with kitchen and large family room. Heated swimming pool and large children's play area also on site. Centrally located to the town centre. Two night stay.

A full day to indulge in the many activities and natural wonders of Rotorua. We suggest visiting the Native Animal Park to see and feed the trout and birds. Then see the native Kiwi bird in the nocturnal tunnel. Across the road, the 1 hour farm show is fun, entertaining and educational. The children get to feed the lambs - great family photo opportunities! Click on Rotorua Activities below for options.

Accommodation: Same as previous night.

The three to four hour drive north up the Pacific Coast Highway meanders through many small seaside towns and a fabulous orchard region. Here you can stop at the many roadside stands to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables and country made goodies. The drive often takes all day with so much to see and do along the way. Hopefully you will arrive at your beach accommodation in time to collect some shells on the beach before nightfall.

Accommodation: Your beachfront motel offers a Southern Pacific Ocean view from your bed! There is an outside spa, kayaks and dinghy for guest use. Three night stay.

A full day to relax at the beach, explore the lush rain forests of the region or soak in a hot pool at Hot Water Beach.
Accommodation: Same as the previous night.

Today the family enjoys a glass bottom boat trip through the local Marine Reserve. View Cathedral Cove, a variety of fish species, kelp forests and with any luck - dolphins!
Accommodation: Same as the previous night.

Today is your travel day to the South Island. You journey over the hillside to the flat fertile farm land around the Firth of Thames. Then it's over the Bombay Hills to the Auckland Airport where you drop off your car and hop on your flight south to Queenstown. Upon arrival at Queenstown Airport you pick up your South Island Ford Explorer and drive to your lakefront accommodation. There will be time this afternoon to begin enjoying the adventure playground of Queenstown.

Accommodation: Your accommodation is a European style alpine lodge built from centuries old schist stone. It is partly surrounded by native forest and offers enchanting views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkable mountains. Three night stay.

Queenstown, often referred to as the Aspen of the South, is the adventure capital of the country. Endless opportunities to cruise, soar, golf, jump, bike, taste, climb and shop abound in this charming lakeside resort town. Your daily planner will outline several optional activities that you may wish to enjoy while in Queenstown.
Accommodation: Same as previous night.

Today you will enjoy a full day of family river rafting, swimming on the river, gold mining on the river and lunch by the river (key word: river). The one hour drive from Queenstown to Wanaka is really beautiful as you drive along river gorges, past old abandoned gold mines and then to the lake itself. The Clutha River is the largest river in New Zealand. By using a 10 man raft and large paddles, it becomes a safe family experience. Your guide will stop at the best swimming holes, teach you how to pan for gold and spread out a 'casual kiwi' lunch by the river. Back at your Queenstown accommodation around 6:00pm.

Accommodation: Same as previous night.

Today you may want to enjoy a bit more of the bustle of Queenstown and head late to Te Anau. Alternatively, you may choose to journey right away to the quiet nature of Fiordland. It is an easy two hour drive between Queenstown and Te Anau. Upon arrival at Te Anau, you may enjoy a visit to the free Bird Park on the lake front. It offers a wide variety of birds to see and hear, plus a great open space for the children to run.

Accommodation: Your Motel is located perfectly to give magnificent views of Lake Te Anau and mountains, and is only 3 minutes walk to the town centre. Your family suite has kitchen and laundry facilities. Two night stay.

What better way to end your trip than a trip to Milford Sound. Enjoy a small van tour that only has up to 12 people. It includes transport between Te Anau and Milford Sound with stops for pictures, short hikes, bird viewing (usually Keas - the cheeky alpine parrot) and commentary along the way. Avoid the large bus feeling! The two hour cruise included on this trip is the morning trip on a small boat that specialises in wildlife viewing.

Accommodation: Same as previous night.

You will need to depart Te Anau by noon in order to connect with your afternoon flight from Queenstown to Auckland. This allows for the perfect connection time for your evening International Flight.
Accommodation:

Pricing and Inclusions

Inclusions

• Accommodations as listed
• Private transfer Airport/Accommodation
• Milford Sound Tour, cruise, lunch.
• Full day family rafting adventure.
• Ford Explorer 4wd Car Rental automatic transmission with airconditioning and partial insurance
• Designer Travel's exclusive travel pack with highlighted map(s) with your route, area guides for each region you visit and your comprehensive daily planner with sight seeing & activity options and suggestions.

Exclusions

• International Airfares
• Internal Domestic Airfares (Indicative price NZ$605 per adult and NZ$412 per child.
• Meals not specified
• Optional activities not specified
• Departure tax (see Travel Tips)

Departures

Accommodation and Meals

Lunches are included on the two day tours.

Book this itinerary



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