Are We There Yet? Navigating New Zealand with Kids: The Ultimate Unofficial Guide

Traveling with kids can often feel like an adventure filled with surprises and detours. When you set off on a family trip to New Zealand, the excitement of exploring stunning landscapes and rich cultures is often met with the familiar refrain, “Are we there yet?” But don’t worry; this guide will help you make the most of your Kiwi adventure with your little explorers in tow.

Why Choose New Zealand?

New Zealand is an irresistible destination for families, offering everything from stunning landscapes to thrilling activities. With its breathtaking scenery and friendly locals, this country provides countless kid-friendly attractions. For example, nearly 60% of New Zealand's land is set aside as conservation areas, allowing families to immerse themselves in nature.

The beauty of New Zealand lies not just in its natural wonders but also in its culture, which emphasizes family, freedom, and adventure. With outdoor options ranging from beach picnics to mountain hikes, you’ll have plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained while creating unforgettable memories.

This Guide will mainly cover the North Island as that is where we visited; however, we definitely want to go back and road trip across the entire country, both islands. DREAM TRIP! Check out our full 10 day North Island Itinerary here.

Packing Tips for Family Travel

Packing for a family adventure can be overwhelming, especially in a diverse landscape like New Zealand's. Here are some essential tips to ensure you're ready:

1. Layered Clothing

New Zealand weather can change quickly, particularly when traveling between islands. Packing layered clothing is crucial. For instance, bring light clothes for warm days, along with fleeces and waterproof jackets for unexpected rain. A good strategy is to include clothing that can be easily mixed and matched to save space.

2. Outdoor Gear

Kids love to run, hike, and explore. Be sure to pack sturdy shoes and appropriate outdoor gear. For example, we brought crocs or shoes for water activities and sneakers for hiking or running. Make sure to pack hats, sun shirts and sunscreen as the sun can be very strong especially on the North Island.

3. Entertainment

Travel days can be long for little ones. Pre-loading tablets with their favorite shows or games can save the day. Consider including travel-friendly toys and books. We love the indestructible books and our yoto mini. A well-selected travel play kit can keep children engaged for hours during long drives.

4. Snacks

New Zealand has great local foods, but kids can be picky eaters on the go. Packing a variety of healthy snacks, like nuts, dried fruit, and granola bars, can prevent hunger complaints during long stretches in the car.

Best Kid-Friendly Destinations in New Zealand

Now that you’ve packed and are ready, where will the adventure take you? Here are some top kid-friendly destinations:

1. Rotorua: The Land of Geothermal Wonders

Rotorua is famous for its geothermal activity, making it an engaging stop for families. Kids can marvel at bubbling mud pools, geysers that shoot hot water up to 30 meters, and vibrant hot springs. Visiting Wai-O-Tapu can be an educational and fun experience, as children see the colorful geothermal formations firsthand.

Skyline Rotorua also has lots of fun activities for littles including a gondola and luge.

Riding the gondola at Skyline Rotorua

Redwoods Treewalk is a great for an afternoon amongst centuries old trees. It is a fun and educational experience in nature. Exactly what New Zealand is all about.

2. Auckland: City and Nature

For families seeking a city flair definitely consider Auckland. We chose Auckland as our first base in the country as it offered a little bit of everything. Auckland Art Gallery is fantastic and free. There are many activities the city itself offers but it is also close to so many others including Waiheke Island, Piha Beach, and Waitakere Ranges Regional Park just to name a few. You can check out our favorite playgrounds in Auckland here!

Beautiful Tree in Albert Park outside Auckland Art Gallery

3. Hobbiton: A Magical Experience

No trip to New Zealand is complete without a visit to Hobbiton, the film set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Guided tours are suitable for kids, and they’ll love discovering the colorful hobbit holes and lush gardens. For fans of the films, it’s a thrilling experience that brings the magic to life.

Full transparency: our trip to Hobbiton was less than magical. It was very hot, we were all overheated and there was little shade on the trip. This had nothing to do with the experience but everything to do with our kids and ourselves. We were able to see about 10 minutes of the tour but we 'read the room' and kindly asked if we could leave. The tour guide was more than accommodating and called for a golf cart to take us back. We felt bad but knew it was likely to get worse and we didn't want to be a distraction for the rest of our group. So keep this in mind if you want to experience this with small children. Our suggestion, book a morning or evening tour so you're not walking during the heat of the day, bring hats, plenty of water and snacks. They did offer umbrellas but even with those and our stroller it was just too hot.

This goes along with having to lower our expectations while traveling. We were looking forward to this experience and it wasn't cheap but pushing our kids to do something when they are miserable is not fun for any of us and it isn't fair to them. This was a bummer but a reminder that you'll have to be flexible and adjsut on the go while traveling with kids.

One of the Hobbit houses at Hobbiton

4. Coromandel Peninsula

The drive alone to Cormandel is breathtaking but there are also many attractions on this peninsula. The main attraction is Cathedral Cove. You can book a boat tour to see it by boat or hike directly to the Cove. This walk was just reopened after about a year and half when Cyclone Gabrielle wiped it out. The walk was closed when we visited or we would have loved to hike to the cove. Instead, we booked a speed boat tour of the cove and nearby caves along the coast. This was one of the highlights of the trip as our kids had never been on a speedboat before.

On a speedboat inside a cave in the Coromandel Peninsula

Do your kids love trains? If so, consider Driving Creek Railway. This is a fun experience with gorgeous views of the area. Children under 4 are free!

There are numerous beaches including Hahei and Hot Water Beach, which has hot springs underneath. You can dig and create your own hot water pool right on the sand, such a fun and unique experience. There are also many walking trails, scenic overlooks, and waterfalls on the peninsula. Coromandel would be a great place to stay as there are numerous activities all spread out along the peninsula.

Cathedral Cove

Tips for Transportation

Traveling around New Zealand can be exciting but requires careful planning:

1. Renting a Car

While public transport is available, renting a car is the most convenient option for families. It gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Make sure to choose a vehicle with enough space for everyone and their gear. You certainly can visit New Zeland without a renting a car but in my opinion it would be an injustice. Everything is very spread out and would be hard to see most places without a car. Keep in mind, the kiwis drive on the left side of the road and the driver side is on the left side of the vehicle.

2. Plan for Travel Times

New Zealand’s diverse landscapes can mean longer travel times than anticipated. For instance, driving from Auckland to Rotorua takes about three hours, but with stops, it could take much longer. Factor in breaks so kids can stretch and release some energy. Also bring dramamine if you get car sick. The drive is stunning but almost everywhere you go has windy, curving roads and hills. I was car sick almost every time we drove, which is part of the reason Hobbiton was less than magical. You don't to be miserable with all that time in the car.

3. Scenic Stops

The scenery in New Zealand is breathtaking, so plan to make scenic stops along your route. These breaks will keep the trip lively for kids and provide spontaneous opportunities for memorable family photos.

Food and Dining with Kids

New Zealand offers many delicious options that everyone will enjoy. However, food can be exspensive here. In fact, New Zealand in general is expensive so make sure you plan accordingly. We only stayed in Airbnbs during our travels in New Zealand and mainly cooked at home over eating out. Even groceries were expensive though! Also, did you know they have Costco in New Zealand? We love visiting Costcos in other countries to see what they offer!

The view from the deck of our Airbnb. Can you blame us for wanting to eat here?

New Zealand is a perfect place for picnics. Packing a picnic allows you to enjoy meals in the beautiful outdoors. Find a sunny spot in one of New Zealand's many parks or beaches, providing kids a chance to unwind and play.

Closing Thoughts

Traveling through New Zealand with kids can be one of the most rewarding experiences for families. With stunning landscapes and a rich culture, every moment is an opportunity for discovery and bonding. So when your little ones ask, “Are we there yet?”—you can confidently say, “Not yet, but every moment is part of the adventure!” Prepare for laughter, learning, and plenty of exploration.

With this ultimate guide, you are well-equipped to embark on a memorable journey in New Zealand.

Happy travels!