Family holidays in New Zealand
New Zealand is a beautiful, varied country with wonderful people, stunning scenery, and an unbelievable number of options for family activities. The south of New Zealand’s southern island offers skiing, river rafting, and the beauty and history of Dunedin. Travel north, and you’ve got the seclusion and sub-tropical wonders of the northern North Island. The long flight time might mean that New Zealand isn’t the ideal destination for families with very young children but, once you’re there, New Zealand really is custom-made for family holidays.
When to go
The New Zealand summer tends to be warm and sunny; the winter is cold and snowy. Spring and autumn are both also pleasant.
Top tip
Consider stopping over for a few days in the Far East.
Food
New Zealand’s cuisine centres around fresh seafood and vegetables, as well as world-famous lamb. The national dessert is pavlova (meringue), and the fruit is deliciously fresh year-round. Barbecues are an essential part of summer-time New Zealand cuisine, and the Maori hangi (a pit in which vegetables, meat and fish are cooked) is a fantastic culinary experience. Oh, and don’t forget to try New Zealand fish and chips – possibly the best in the world...!
Entertainment
One thing is for certain in New Zealand – you’ll never be short of entertainment options. The island presents an almost overwhelming selection of choices for travelling families. Larger cities like the capital, Wellington, and Auckland offer excellent museums and galleries, while the historic city of Dunedin is well worth a visit. New Zealand’s also the ideal destination for outdoor activities – skiing and snowboarding in the mountains, unspoilt beaches perfect for water sports, and fantastic eco-tourist options for families with animal lovers in their midst.
Flying time
22 hours
Time difference
GMT + 12 hours
Transfer times
- Auckland:
- Auckland International Airport – approximately 50 mins
- Christchurch:
- Christchurch International Airport – approximately 20 mins
- Wellington:
- Wellington International Airport – approximately 30 mins
