Create lifelong family memories on the giant playground of the South Island. Enjoy rafting near Queenstown, staying overnight in Mt. Aspiring National Park, visiting Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park, kayaking on the West Coast, and more.
Start - End: Christchurch - Christchurch
Total trip: 13 days
Average group size: 12 people
Level: 2
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Explore incredible landscapes of the South Island of New Zealand as a family, from Christchurch to Queenstown and back again, on our 13-day New Zealand Family vacation. Along with two incredible guides who take care of every last detail, you'll be amazed by the new challenges and activities your family will accomplish together. From jet-boat rides on the Rakaia Gorge to staying overnight in Mt Aspiring National Park and visiting a high country sheep station near Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, you'll step away from the busy modern world and into the giant playground of mother nature. You won't have to worry about where to stay, what to eat, navigating the mountain roads or deciding what to do each day - we'll take care of it all for you. Enjoy a family vacation, without a worry in the world, on our New Zealand Family Adventure.
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
Cross swing bridges and spot icebergs as you hike beneath New Zealand’s tallest peak.
Franz Josef Glacier
Follow glacial rivers and rainforest tracks to get a close-up view of the mighty Franz Josef Glacier.
Mount Aspiring National Park
Sleep under the stars in a cozy backcountry hut, surrounded by mountains and beech forest.
West Coast trails
Wander high above the forest floor on a treetop walk through ancient rimu and kahikatea trees.
Lake Mapourika
Paddle through mirror-like waters surrounded by lush rainforest on Lake Mapourika.
Kiwi Viewing
Come face-to-beak with New Zealand’s shy national icon, the elusive kiwi.
Queenstown Family Raft Trip
Get ready for a fun-filled family raft ride through the gold rush-era Skippers Canyon.
Rakaia Gorge Jet Boat
Zoom past cliffs and canyons on a heart-racing jet boat ride in the Rakaia Gorge.
Visit the Antarctica Centre
Step into an Antarctic snowstorm and meet real-life penguins in the interactive Antarctic Centre.
Steamboat Lake Cruise
Step back in time aboard the TSS Earnslaw and enjoy a farmyard adventure at Walter Peak Station.
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We’ll meet your family in central Christchurch and make our way south to Methven and the Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa, a unique experience where we can relax while soaking in Southern alpine views. The Discovery Pools around offer family-friendly exploration for all ages in the crazy river, leap of faith jump pool, or the star lit caves.
Accommodation: Methven Motels, Methven Resort, or Brinkley Resort, Methven
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After a hearty breakfast and relaxed start to the morning, we have an adventure planned that will knock your socks off – a fun jet boat ride through the winding Rakaia Gorge! Jet boats were originally invented by New Zealander Bill Hamilton to navigate our narrow, shallow rivers. You’ll be jetting down rapids, braided river sections and through shallow water just six inches deep in places. This thrilling, yet safe activity is suitable for the whole family. Then we’ll head to Peel Forest for a hike amongst ancient podocarp trees and many varieties of ferns. Many of New Zealand’s athletes, including our famous rugby team, the All Blacks, wear the fern as a national symbol.
After lunch, we’ll travel inland to Aoraki/Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, and Lake Pukaki – an unreal turquoise-blue-coloured glacial lake. Tonight, the wide open spaces, regular clear evenings and lack of artificial light provide us with the perfect opportunity to gaze at the Southern Hemisphere’s constellations, including the southern cross.
Accommodation: Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Lodge, Mt Cook or Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel, Twizel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 0.6 miles (1 kilometer), 1-2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 98 feet (30 meters) ascent, 98 feet (30 meters) descent
We have a few hikes to choose from in this spectacular national park and our favorite is the stunning day hike (weather permitting) to the main ridge above Mueller Glacier. It’s a bit of a hike, though it’s a real achievement for the whole family to share and you’ll remember the view from the Sealy Tarns Hike and the surrounding peaks of the Southern Alps forever! Of course, we always have plenty of options, so there are easier hikes available for you too, such as an impressive hike up the Hooker Valley to a glacial lake (complete with icebergs!) at the base of Hooker Glacier.
Accommodation: Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Lodge, Mt Cook or Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel, Twizel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sealy Tarns Hike: 3.2 miles (5.1 kilometers), 4-5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,132 feet (650 meters) ascent, 2,132 feet (650 meters) descent
Hooker Valley Hike: 5.6 miles (9 kilometers), 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 328 feet (100 meters) ascent, 328 feet (100 meters) descent
Today we’ll head through the mountains to Queenstown. We’ll stop along the way for some of the best ice cream in the whole of New Zealand – you’ll soon find out why! We’ll then continue on through fruit orchards and vineyards before arriving in Queenstown.
After lunch, excitement levels will be high as we head off for a family rafting trip in Skippers Canyon. Set in a deep, beautiful, rose-lined schist gorge, it’s a spectacular float trip – perfect for the whole family. From June to September, rather than rafting which is closed for the winter, we take a lift on the gondola up Bob’s Peak for stunning views over the region and thrilling downhill rides on the luge.
Accommodation: Scenic Circle Heartland Hotel & Scenic Suites or Heritage Hotel, Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we’ll replace the hustle of Queenstown with the beauty of beautiful and isolated Glenorchy at the furthest and most stunning end of Lake Wakatipu. We’ll explore the small town, with the option of a short hike if you’re keen, and a picnic lunch will be provided.
This afternoon, we’ll cross Lake Wakatipu on board the historic steamship TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station. A guided farmyard tour led by our friendly rural host will get us up close with the friendly farm animals, including sheep, cattle, alpacas and farm dogs. A dinner buffet with local and homegrown produce will follow at the Walter Peak’s Homestead Restaurant, a beautifully restored colonial homestead surrounded by sweeping, elegant grounds.
Accommodation: Scenic Circle Heartland Hotel & Scenic Suites or Heritage Hotel, Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 0.2 mile (0.4 kilometer), 0.5-1 hour
All the comforts of civilization are packed into this tiny resort town: restaurants galore, sidewalk cafés, stylish lounge bars, day spas, and boutiques. There’s plenty of family entertainment here too: luge rides, a gondola, lakeside playgrounds, mini golf and a cinema. There are also some more adventurous optional activities such as horse trekking, kayaking, fishing, winery tours, hang gliding, mountain biking, bungy jumping, jet boating and skydiving as well as some great hiking opportunities. Or you can just soak up the atmosphere and lounge about reading a book. Your guides will happily share their favorite haunts and point you in the right direction for your free day today.
A great winter option (June to September) is to spend a couple of days skiing or snowboarding at one of four local ski areas: Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona or Treble Cone.
Accommodation: Scenic Circle Heartland Hotel & Scenic Suites or Heritage Hotel, Queenstown
Meals: No meals
After leaving Wanaka, we’ll venture up the Matukituki Valley and hike two to three hours into Mt. Aspiring National Park to reach our home for the evening – a spacious mountain hut nestled in a valley in the middle of nowhere. The track meanders past majestic peaks, fresh mountain streams, and natural beech forest. You’ll be carrying a sleeping bag, a few spare clothes, and some food, so your pack won’t weigh much more than a regular day pack. The scenery is off the charts with Mt. Aspiring rising 9,951 feet (3,033 meters) into the blue sky. It’s amazing how far you’ll feel from civilization after this relatively short walk! Tonight your guide will whip up dinner in the backcountry kitchen while you and the kids relax by the fire.
Accommodation: Mt Aspiring Hut, Mt Aspiring National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 5.6 miles (9 kilometers), 3-5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 197 feet (60 meters) ascent
We have a leisurely start today, enjoying breakfast and a cuppa while admiring the view, before hiking back to the trailhead. Along the way, we might encounter the cheeky kea again – this time in its natural habitat – they’re really inquisitive and like to get pretty close at times!
Back in Wanaka, we’ll have lunch before some free time. Lake Wanaka is the fourth largest lake in New Zealand and surrounded by an amphitheatre of mountains. Whether you’re skipping stones on the lake’s edge or exploring the shops, Wanaka is a great spot to rediscover simple pleasures. Tonight we’ll mingle with the ‘coasters’ in the tiny township of Haast, exchanging tales of our adventures at the local restaurant in front of a roaring fire.
Accommodation: World Heritage Hotel, Haast
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 5.6 miles (9 kilometers), 3-5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 197 feet (60 meters) descent
This morning, we’ll journey up the wild West Coast, stopping on a deserted beach to stretch our legs and keep an eye out for friendly dolphins passing by. A little further north takes us to Lake Matheson for a short walk, where you’ll be rewarded with awesome vistas of the Southern Alps. After settling into our accommodation in Franz Josef, we can head out after dark with flashlights for a short night walk to search for the native glowworm while listening to some of New Zealand’s nocturnal birdlife, such as the morepork owl.
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 1.7 miles (2.8 kilometers), 1-2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 33 feet (10 meters) ascent, 33 feet (10 meters) descent
It’s an early start this morning for our kayaking trip on Lake Mapourika, a tranquil ancient lake formed during the last ice age. This is an awesome activity, run by specialist kayak outfitters, and it’s equally suitable for beginners and experts alike. With some 140 glaciers making their way down from the Southern Alps, this area is fittingly known as glacier country. Few sights equal the spectacle of two of these giant frozen rivers (Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers) imperceptibly grinding their way down through the temperate rainforest to just 820 feet (250 meters) above sea level. Our hike will take us into the Waiho River Valley and offer views of the terminal face of the Franz Josef Glacier. Afterwards we’ll return to Franz Josef for the night where you'll have dinner on your own.
Accommodation: Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Kayaking: 2-3 hours
Hiking: 3 miles (4.8 kilometers), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 66 feet (20 meters) ascent, 66 feet (20 meters) descent
Today we’ll head further up the coast to experience the West Coast Treetop Walk, an adventure among giants. This walk will take you up above the forest floor, allowing you to pass through an ancient canopy of rimu and kamahi trees. We’ll then continue to Hokitika, where you can check out the local art galleries and pounamu carving workshops (pounamu is Maori for jade). The beach here is a great place for playing games or making sculptures out of driftwood. Then we’ll head back through to Arthur’s Pass, the highest pass over the Southern Alps, to settle in for the night.
Accommodation: Arthur's Pass Motel, Arthur's Pass
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 2-3 hours
Today, after breakfast, we’ll head off to check out the Conservation Centre in Arthur’s Pass and learn about the Kea, the only true alpine parrot in the world! Afterward, we’re off to the ultimate hide-and-seek spot, Castle Hill. It’s a bit of a climb to the top, but it’s worth every step as we arrive at an eerie limestone landscape where much of the movie ‘Narnia – the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ was filmed. During a visit a few years ago, the Dalai Lama called this natural labyrinth ‘the spiritual center of the universe’!
Accommodation: Darfield Motels, Darfield
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 2 miles (3 kilometers), 1-2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 164 feet (50 meters) ascent, 164 feet (50 meters) descent
This is the last day of your trip, and we’ll head on to Christchurch, with our last stop the International Antarctic Centre which offers a variety of experiences to learn about Antarctica, including chilling out in an Antarctic storm, riding an Antarctic Hägglund and seeing Little Blue Penguins.
After our Antarctic experience we’ll farewell our family and wave you off feeling refreshed, invigorated, and with lasting memories of the adventures, great food, stories, laughs and fun times you’ll have had with us in New Zealand!
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
On the first morning of the trip, meet us outside reception at the Merivale Manor at 10:00am You are welcome to book your pre-trip stay at this hotel directly or any other hotel in Christchurch, though you must make your own way there. Be prepared with your daypack, comfortable clothing, and walking shoes for our visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve today.
Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Christchurch Airport (CHC) in time for flights below or anywhere in Central Christchurch around 3pm.
Arrival: We recommend arriving in Christchurch the day before your trip begins, or earlier, to accommodate potential flight delays and give you time to explore the city before your adventure starts.
Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, we recommend departing from Christchurch after 4pm for domestic and 5pm for international flight departures. Earlier flight times will require a separate transfer booked at your own expense.
We have selected the accommodation on your trip for its stunning setting, unique character or adventuresome feel – our trips are not designed as a tour of the fanciest hotels in New Zealand. We prefer to stay in quaint, comfortable B&B’s, lodges and apartments, some of which have private bathrooms and some shared bathrooms. Rooming on this trip is usually on a two people per bedroom basis, with families being put either in two bedroom units or in adjoining hotel rooms. Things are a little more rustic at Mt. Aspiring Hut, and it’s a true kiwi experience!
Where you’ll be staying each night is detailed on the trip itinerary above. Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may stay somewhere different, which will always be a similar standard and just as comfortable.
If you've selected a single supplement for your trip, the Mt Aspiring overnight hike is not included as no single rooms are available in the huts, and the single supplement price takes this into account.
While there are laundry facilities at most locations, they may not be convenient or there may only be one machine to service your entire group. We recommend bringing enough clothing to only have to do laundry a couple of times during your trip. The best time will be during your three night stay in Queenstown (during your free day).
Getting from one breathtaking destination to the next in New Zealand means road travel is essential. That’s why having comfortable, reliable transport plays a big role in making your adventure vacation enjoyable.
We own and operate our very own fleet of medium-sized coaches — perfectly suited for New Zealand’s unique roads. They’re ideal for accessing the country’s iconic highlights and venturing off the beaten track to the lesser-known places most travelers miss.
So sit back, relax, and let us take the wheel. Your New Zealand adventure is calling — and we’ll make sure you travel in comfort and style.
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By paying in full, we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.
We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.
T+Cs Apply. Read more here.
With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading average 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience.
It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!
When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. All you need to do is show up!
Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.
Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.
For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience.
New Zealand might feel like a world away, but it’s closer than you think — just a 12-hour direct flight from the Pacific Coast of North America. Major airlines, including Air New Zealand (our national carrier), offer non-stop flights to Auckland on the North Island and Christchurch on the South Island from cities like New York, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, and Vancouver.
Need a hand with your travel plans? Like to arrange a tropical stopover? Our trusted partners at Fuzion Travel are here to help make getting to and from New Zealand hassle-free and easy.
