first time to our website
Kia Ora Whanau
Hello family! If this is your first time to the site, or will be your first time in New Zealand, here is the best place to start!
Firstly, I’m Jen! My family and I are born and bred here in New Zealand. While we have travelled extensively overseas, I’m so proud to call New Zealand home.
The thing we love the most about New Zealand is that we have everything here: Mountains, lakes, beaches, volcanoes, glaciers, rainforest, giant sand dunes, islands, wildlife… we have it all! So come and look around!
Are you...?
First time in New Zealand
If you are planning your first trip to New Zealand, or you have just arrived.. AHHH! I’m so excited for you!
This page has some great places to start if you’re not quite sure what to see, where to stay or how to get around.
Either scroll down now, or click below to go straight to these sections
- Itineraries
- Planning tools (campervan guide, weather info etc)
- The best things to do in New Zealand with kids
- Best things to do in…. articles
I'm local, looking for ideas
Kia Ora Whanau,
We are super passionate about exploring something new and getting off the beaten track. So if you haven’t been to some of the top spots around New Zealand, you might find these “top articles” useful, but if you are looking for something a bit different…
Click here for some of my favourite HIDDEN GEMS
or
New Zealand Itineraries
The Best Things to do in New Zealand with Kids
The Best Things to do in New Zealand with Kids It’s painful having to pick the very best things to do in New Zealand with children. It’s like trying to choose your favourite child. But I understand that if you
New Zealand Family Road Trip Itinerary: South Island Holiday with Kids
The very best New Zealand South Island Road Trip Itinerary for families with kids updated September 2024 If you are planning a road trip around New Zealand’s South Island, then you have come to the right place! Just think of
New Zealand North Island Family Itinerary: The Best Things to do in the North Island with kids
New Zealand North Island Itinerary with Kids updated November 2024 l lived in the North Island of New Zealand for the majority of my childhood and as I look back now, I’m amazed at all the things opportunities we had
An itinerary is a great way to find out the highlights of New Zealand and also take a look at some common routes. They will help you decide whether to stop along the way, or bypass pass it for another option.
Download our full Ultimate New Zealand Family Itinerary here or check out our
New Zealand Trip Planning Tools
What its actually like to Hire a Campervan in New Zealand
What it’s really like to hire a campervan in New Zealand: Tips, Tricks and why we chose Wendekreisen One of the things we get asked the most is: “Whats the best campervan to take?” and how can we make
How to survive a long haul flight: Flying with a baby, toddler and kids
Tips for Flying with a baby and kids Taking a long haul flight with kids may be some parent’s worst nightmare. There are a million things that could go wrong, the disapproving stares, the fear of forgetting something or that
Guide to Planning your Family Campervan Holiday in New Zealand
Everything you need to know about planning a Family Campervan Holiday in New Zealand (Updated April 2022) It’s everyone family’s dream to hire a campervan and travel around New Zealand, going where the wind takes you. Stumbling across hidden gems,
How much does it cost to travel in New Zealand? Backyard Travel Family’s Guide to Basic Costs
How much does it cost? Can I afford to travel in New Zealand? Surely, creating a budget for travel is one of the most difficult things about planning. To give you an idea, here is a list of basic costs,
Deals, Discounts and Savings: Your Guide to Extending your Budget travelling in New Zealand
Travelling with a family can be expensive, especially when you compare to more budget friendly travel destinations such as Asia. But travelling around New Zealand doesn’t have to cost the Earth. If you follow these tips for some of your
Don’t book a Cook Strait Ferry without these tips
The Best Cook Strait Ferry tips for travelling with your family and children The Cook Strait Ferry The Cook Strait Ferry is the only way to road trip between the North and the South Island. The ferries leave from
If you are planning your trip around New Zealand, here are some resources that may help you and reduce your time researching
- Campervanning in New Zealand: Best Campervans for families, rules for freedom camping and all the tips you need
- Basic Costs in New Zealand: Is food expensive? How much is a dinner out? What is a bus fare like?
- Budget Tips and Discounts: How to save money travelling in New Zealand – the best websites and tips to get it cheaper
- Cook Strait Ferry: Yes if you don’t fly, you must take a ferry between the North and South Island. Hot tips for making the best of it as a family
- Weather in New Zealand: Weather is changeable and will make a difference to what you pack. Read more to plan your trip
Best Things to do in NZ Articles
Best things to do in Ashburton and Mid Canterbury with Kids
Things to do in Ashburton with Kids and around the Mid Canterbury Region If you are like me, you are
Things to do in Taupo with kids
Things to do in Lake Taupo with Kids Published: October 2021 Welcome to Taupo!! Located in the centre of
Best Things to do on the West Coast
Things to do on the West Coast, New Zealand From Fox Glacier to Punakaiki The West Coast of the
The Best Things to Do in Wanaka New Zealand
Things to do in Wanaka New Zealand updated August 2024 One of my favourite places in New Zealand, Wanaka is
Rotorua Family Guide: Things to do in Rotorua with Kids
Rotorua Family Travel Guide: The Many Things to Do in Rotorua with Kids Why visit Rotorua? Rotorua is
20 Things to do in Picton
Things to do in Picton, New Zealand Picton is most famous for its big port and is home to
Christchurch Attractions and Activities: City Exploration and Outdoor Adventures
What to do in Christchurch, New Zealand Welcome to Christchurch, the Garden City and a place I used to call
Beautiful and Breathtaking Things to Do in the Catlins
Things to Do in the Catlins New Zealand Wow, the Catlins, where do I start? A bit rugged, a bit
42 Free Things to Do in Christchurch with Kids and Families
Best things to do in Christchurch for Free Updated September 2023 There are many things to do in Christchurch with
The Best Things to Do in Hanmer Springs
Things to do in Hanmer Springs with kids guide too Hanmer Springs is an absolute mecca of activities for the
Your Guide to the Best Things to do in Northland with Kids
The Best Things to do in Northland with Kids: Your Northland Bucket List If you love beaches, warm weather, watersports
Free things to do in Wellington with kids
Free Things to Do in Wellington with Kids Wellington, New Zealands capital city, also known as the Coolest Little Capital,
If you haven’t been to New Zealand before, you might be wondering where on earth do I start? How do I know where I want to go?
These articles will highlight some of the best things to do around the country
Hidden Gems
Here are 8 of our favourite hidden gems to whet your appetite. Scroll down to check them out, or click here for the next section
Truman Track, Punakaiki: Secret Beaches and Hidden Waterfalls
The Truman Track on the West Coast The Truman Track is an absolute gem of a track. I have to say, when I read that it was a 15 minute walk to a lookout point, I was a little underwhelmed
Follow the Fairies into McHughs Forest Park: Short walk for young children in Darfield, Canterbury
Magical Fairy Door Walk, McHughs Forest, Canterbury The Magical Fairy Door Walk in Darfield’s McHughs Forest is just the most beautiful Canterbury walk for toddlers. In saying that, my 4 and 6 year old boys also loved it too. It
Discover the hidden beauty of the Deep Stream Track, Lake Aviemore
Deep Stream Track near Lake Aviemore The Deep Stream Track was the first walk I have completed without doing any research in particular. We came across the track travelling on the scenic drive around Lake Aviemore and the unassuming track
Ashburton Lakes: Guide to hikes, biking and staying in New Zealands most beautiful hidden region
Ashburton Lakes, Hakatere Conservation Park updated August 2024 The Ashburton Lakes are the epitome of a hidden gem. If you are searching for a backcountry experience that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled on something that only locals know about,
Hiking the Paekakariki Escarpment Track with Kids: New Zealand’s Stairway to Heaven on the Te Araroa Trail
Paekakariki Escarpment Track: Wellington’s Stairway to Heaven The Paekakariki Escarpment Track is part of the Te Araroa Trail: The Walkway covering the length of New Zealand. Pretty cool huh? You can actually walk from the top to the bottom of
Washpen Falls, Canterbury
Off the Beaten Track: The Beauty of Washpen Falls, Canterbury Washpen Falls are such a hidden beauty and is one of the best waterfall walks in Canterbury. Unlike most walks around New Zealand, this is not looked after by the
Tasman Glacier Viewpoint: Short Walk with Kids in Mt Cook National Park
Tasman Glacier Viewpoint: Easy Short Walk in Mt Cook National Park updated September 2023 The Tasman Glacier is home to a couple of great short walks in the Mt Cook National Park. If you aren’t wanting to tackle the longer
Explore the Crazy Blue Waters of the Hokitika Gorge, West Coast, New Zealand
Hokitika Gorge Walk, West Coast updated March 2023 The stunning turquoise waters and epic swing bridge is what drove us to visit the Hokitika Gorge. Located about 30 minutes inland from Hokitika, if you only do one thing in this
How we can help you plan the very best New Zealand holiday or weekend away
Okay so where to from here? We have a lot more information on our New Zealand travel blog
Click here to search by Destination: North Island or South Island
Click here to search by activity: Walks, Biking tracks, Attractions
Download our FREE Ultimate NZ Itinerary here
