A family guide to New Zealand

Wild encounters for little explorers

Animals are always a hit with kids, and New Zealand delivers. Rotorua is home to kiwi hatcheries, where little ones can see the country’s national bird up close and learn about conservation. Kapiti Island offers a more adventurous option, with native birds swooping overhead in a predator-free sanctuary.

By the coast, Kaikōura is a must for families who love the sea. Take a boat trip and there’s a good chance you’ll see dolphins leaping, seals sunbathing on the rocks, or even giant sperm whales. For something slower paced, Oamaru and Banks Peninsula are famous for their colonies of tiny blue penguins. Watching them shuffle up the beach at dusk is the kind of simple magic kids never forget.

Glow Worms and underground magic

Few things capture kids’ attention quite like stepping into a cave and seeing thousands of glow worms lighting up the ceiling. At Waitomo, families hop onto a boat that glides quietly along an underground river, with the glow worms shining above like tiny stars. It’s calm, fascinating, and usually a highlight for children.

If you’re travelling through the South Island, Te Anau also has glowworm caves worth visiting. The guided tours here include a short boat ride, glowing tunnels, and even some underground waterfalls, which adds variety and keeps kids interested from start to finish.

Step into Middle-earth™

For families with bookworms or movie buffs, Hobbiton™ is a must. Located in rolling farmland near Matamata, the Hobbiton™ Movie Set looks exactly as it does on screen. Kids love running down the little lanes, peeking into Hobbit Holes™, and seeing if they can spot details from the films. Parents usually enjoy hearing the behind-the-scenes stories, from how the set was built to the tricks used during filming.

The guided tours keep things moving at a pace that works for children, and there’s even a chance to enjoy a drink at The Green Dragon Inn™, a fun stop to end the tour.