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Plan luxury family holidays to New Zealand with our privately guided tours. Travel with an experienced, friendly guide who will enhance your experience with commentary, local knowledge, and personal attention.
We offer the best flexible New Zealand escorted tours with no date or itinerary restrictions. We will take care of your family on this privately guided tour of New Zealand inclusive of a private tour guide and chauffeur plus private touring vehicle.
Choose from a range of accommodation options for luxury family holidays to New Zealand, from standard 4-star through to 5-star and luxury lodge.
Read on for more details on our luxury family holidays to New Zealand.
Your family guided holiday begins in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland. Auckland is a thriving, diverse city surrounded by natural wonders.
Explore Auckland with your guide, visiting top attractions such as the Sky Tower, Mt Eden’s volcanic crater, and Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium.
Stay 1 night in Auckland.
Travel time Auckland to Bay of Islands – 4 hours
Leave the city behind as your tour continues north to the Bay of Islands, a stunning stretch of coastline with secluded beaches, forested hills, and fantastic marine wildlife.
Stay 2 nights in Paihia.
In the afternoon, board your premium cruise ‘Discover the Bay’ and see for yourself the best of what the Bay of Islands has to offer.
Journey to the Hole in the Rock and if weather permits, sail through it. See marine wildlife including Dolphins and stop off at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island to have a swim, go for a walk, have a bite to eat and relax.
Your Discover the Bay Cruise includes a delicious bbq lunch.
Explore the beachside town of Paihia in the afternoon.
Travel time Bay of Islands to Matamata – 5.5 hours
Your tour will pass through the City of Sails once more as you continue south to Matamata, home of Hobbiton.
Experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton™ Movie Set, where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Your guide will then escort you around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made. You will be fully guided around the 12 acre set; past Hobbit Holes™, the Mill and into the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn, where you will be presented with a complimentary, exclusive Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ beverage to conclude your own Middle-earth™ adventure.
Stay 1 night in Matamata.
Travel time Matamata to Waitomo – 1.5 hours
World-renowned and a magnet for both local and overseas visitors, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves occupy a high placing in the New Zealand vacation wish-list. The glowworm, Arachnocampa luminosa, is unique to New Zealand. Thousands of these tiny creatures radiate their unmistakable luminescent light as the expert guides provide informative commentary on the Caves’ historical and geological significance.
Enjoy the world famous boat ride under thousands of magical glowworms and become a part of over 120 years of cultural and natural history.
Travel time Waitomo Caves to Rotorua – 2 hours
Enjoy the scenic drive through rolling farmland to Rotorua, the geothermal capital of New Zealand.
In the evening, experience a unique insight into Māori culture. Participlate in the graceful poi dance or ferocious haka. Taste an exquisite three course Māori feast prepared in the traditional Hangi fire pit. After dinner visit Pohutu Geyser, illuminated in its full glory beneath a starry sky. Marvel at the sight of this glorious natural wonder, while your tour guide entertains you with traditional Māori mythology and stories
Stay 2 nights in Rotorua.
Enjoy a sumptuous lunch at Rotorua’s most spectacular location – the top of the Skyline Gondola! After lunch enjoy the thrill of the Luge, select from one of the three exciting Luge trails. Take off downhill on your luge through twists and turns to a backdrop of dramatic scenery and through Redwood forests. Option to enjoy beautiful nature walks, visit the Jelly Belly shop or the Volcanic Hills winery and tasting room.
Discuss with your guide what you would like to do for the afternoon, recommendations include visiting Rainbow Springs Nature Park, where you can view New Zealand wildlife and the famous ‘Kiwi’ or for a unique New Zealand farm experience visit Agrodome Rotorua.
Travel time Rotorua to Taupo – 1 hour
Enjoy the scenic drive to Taupo, a small town set beside New Zealand’s largest lake.
Visit the majestic Huka Falls with your guide in the morning.
Then venture to the Huka Prawn Park, offering fun and excitement for all ages. Hand feed the baby prawns, play on adventure playgrounds, feed the Rainbow Trout, experience a Geothermal Foot Bath and fish for the feisty prawn!
Discuss with your guide what you would like to do for the afternoon, our top recommendation is a visit to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Stay 1 night in Taupo.
Travel time Taupo to Wellington – 4.5 hours
Continue your scenic tour as your guide takes you south to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city.
Stay 2 nights in Wellington.
Become acquainted with this charming city today – you could visit Te Papa Museum, ride the Wellington Cable Car, visit Weta Workshop, Zealandia, or Wellington Zoo.
Sailing time Wellington to Picton – 3 hours
Begin your day with a majestic cruise across the windswept Cook Strait to reach the South Island.
Travel time Picton to Kaikoura – 2 hours
Upon reaching the South Island, your guide will take you on a scenic drive through the Marlborough wine region, with the option to stop at a winery along the way for samples of the award-winning wines.
Spend the evening in Kaikoura, a stunning coastal town with a backdrop of majestic mountains. Be sure to sample the superb local seafood at dinner! Option to add a Whale Watch Flight or Cruise.
Stay 1 night in Kaikoura.
Travel time Kaikoura to Christchurch – 2.5 hours
With a thriving restaurant scene, a string of beautiful parks, and a historic town centre, Christchurch is an excellent holiday destination.
Explore Christchurch with your guide, visiting the botanic gardens for a guided tour, the Christchurch Cathedral and the RE:Start Container Mall.
Stay 2 nights in Christchurch.
Today discover the true beauty of Christchurch as you board Christchurch Gondola. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Christchurch cityscape, over the Canterbury Plains and the dramatic hills of Banks Peninsula. At the summit, experience the Time Tunnel ride, a dramatic reconstruction of the history of the region.
Spend the afternoon taking a tour of the city on the Christchurch Tram. Your day-long ticket allows you to get on and off the Tram as often as you please. The journey begins at Cathedral Junction and travels through Cathedral Square before passing the Avon River and High Street. From there the tram passes the Canterbury Museum, Hagley Park, Victoria Square and New Regent Street.
Train Travel time Christchurch to Greymouth – 4.5 hours
Leave the East Coast behind today as you board the TranzAlpine Train for a fantastic journey through Arthurs Pass. Travel past the rolling Canterbury Plains, soaring peaks and braided rivers of the Southern Alps and through the gorges of the Waimakariri River. This is one of the top train journeys in the world.
Your guide will meet you at the train station and take you to your next destination Hokitika, which is a short 30 minute drive.
Discover the West Coast’s beauty in Hokitika, famous for its wild beach and arts and crafts scene. Hokitika is known as the ‘Cool Little Town’. There are some lovely old buildings on the town’s historic walk. You’ll also notice galleries specialising in pounamu jewellery and artworks. Watch a masterpiece being crafted from gold, molten glass, paua or bone, or carve your own creation from wood or jade (“pounamu”). Take in Hokitika’s natural beauty, enjoy its expansive beach, or venture down one of the many walking and mountain biking tracks.
Stay 1 night in Hokitika.
Travel time Hokitika to Franz Josef – 2 hours
Journey through thick rainforest to reach your destination, Franz Josef.
Franz Josef’s cloak of ice once flowed from the mountains right to the sea. Following millennia of gradual retreat, the glacier is now 19 km inland and accessible only by helicopter. A glacier experience is a crowning moment for thousands of annual visitors, but walking trails, hot pools, and adventure sports from quad biking to clay target shooting keep adrenaline pulsing.
In the afternoon, take an unforgettable helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier, where you will land in the snow to enjoy incredible views of the majestic Southern Alps.
Stay 1 night in Franz Josef.
Travel time Franz Josef to Wanaka – 4 hours
The scenery remains just as spectacular as ever while you continue your tour south to Wanaka. The Haast Pass Highway is one of the most scenic alpine routes in New Zealand. Explore the pass with your guide, stopping to view cascading waterfalls, broad alpine meadows, craggy snowcapped mountains, and the turquoise depths of the Blue Pools.
Explore the alpine town of Wanaka in the afternoon – your guide could take you to Puzzling World or Rippon Winery, or you could simply relax on the lakefront and do a bit of boutique shopping.
Stay 2 nights in Wanaka.
Explore Wanaka today. You could visit the Warbirds and Wheels Museum, try the maze and experience the illusions at Puzzling World, or simply relax in town and stroll along the lakefront.
Travel time Wanaka to Te Anau – 3 hours
Your scenic tour will continue as you enjoy the drive over the Crown Range to Wanaka. Your guide will stop along the way for photos at fantastic viewing points.
Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Te Anau is known as the walking capital of New Zealand, so the hiking options are endless! Enjoy the walk to the top of Key Summit for stunning views over Fiordland National Park, take a full day to explore the Kepler Track, or stroll along the lakefront esplanade.
Stay 2 nights in Te Anau.
Embark on a fantastic journey along the Milford Highway today to New Zealand’s most iconic fiord – Milford Sound. Travel with a small tour group on this extended day trip to Milford Sound, stopping along the way for countless scenic photo opportunities and short walks plus a delicious morning tea. At Milford Sound, enjoy a scenic nature cruise that takes you up close to the majesty of the fiord – you might even spot keas, seals, dolphins, or the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin!
Travel time Te Anau to Queenstown – 2 hours
Your adventure continues through the green pastures of Southland. Take in the scenic views as you navigate around Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu.
In the evening your tour guide will take you downtown to show you the sights of New Zealand’s adventure capital!
Stay 3 nights in Queenstown.
Enjoy a quintessential Kiwi experience – a delicious gourmet BBQ lunch and a farm tour in a stunning lakeside setting. Your experience starts with a cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw across to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Once there, you can sit back on the lakeside terrace of the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant and savour the delicious aromas as our chef has the best of local produce, sizzling away on the grill. After lunch, you can join an entertaining farm demonstration or explore the beautiful lakeside gardens.
In the afternoon, visit Arrowtown with your tour guide. This charming gold rush village sits in a natural paradise. A Queenstown “must-do.” Arrowtown is a lively, quirky, historic village. So many pleasures to choose from – Arrowtown satisfies many sides of your personality. The nature lover, photographer, the museum visitor, the shop browser. The charm of historic Buckingham Street, while savouring a coffee.
Prepare yourself for the ultimate Jet Boating experience with Shotover Jet – the unique, breathtaking white water ride and adrenaline rush you’ll never forget. From the moment the accelerator hits the floor, your adrenaline hits the roof. You’ll speed over 10cm deep water, along the famous Shotover River and deep into the spectacular Shotover River Canyons.
Continue your quest for adventure and choose from any adventure activity on offer in Queenstown; bungy jumping, skydiving, paragliding, quad biking, zip lining, heli flights, 4WD off-roading, you name it we can book it.
Your guide will deliver you to Queenstown Airport for your departing flight.
We aim to provide the experience of a lifetime. We tailor activities to match the ages and interests of your children, and suggest options based on your preferences.
Each one of our luxury family holidays to New Zealand is unique, based on your timeframe and requirements. When you send in an enquiry, we reach out to discuss what you imagine for your holiday. After that, we design a bespoke family holiday itinerary to match your interests.
Contact us now to plan luxury family holidays to New Zealand.
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