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!

See this beautiful alpine lake on Lake Marian track, a great half way walk on the Milford Road Highway, Fiordland. You can even walk to Lake Marian with kids by Backyard Travel Family

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

Kipton sits on a rock and uses his binoculars to look out over Deep Stream from the Deep Stream track, looking up the canyon. Lake Aviemore, near Kurow, Waitaki Region

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 

Click here to search the North Island or,

Click here to search the South Island

Backyard Travel Family sit on a rock at the Hokitika Gorge Walk, West Coast New Zealand

New Zealand Itineraries

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

Kipton looks up at the towering Omarama Clay Cliffs

New Zealand Trip Planning Tools

If you are planning your trip around New Zealand, here are some resources that may help you and reduce your time researching

Best Things to do in NZ Articles

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

Ashley and Emilia from Backyard Travel Family check out the 360 degree views of Lake Tekapo, Mackenzie Region, Canterbury Walk, South Island, New Zealand

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

Nathan from Backyard Travel Family sits on a rock overlooking the beautiful Washpen Falls waterfall near Methven
Walks

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

Read More »

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

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Is this ok? You can read our privacy policy to see how this works