New Zealand itinerary help (not city/region specific)
#76
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 644
Where in NZ are you going? Most of the more memorable things to do in the South Island, in my opinion, require that the kids be a little older. They're probably not going to want to go on 5-6 hour hikes, but I could be wrong. The only thing that comes to mind are guided sightseeing tours, like a tour of Milford Sound or the glaciers. There are probably a lot more things that are family friendly but when I went back in May, I only scratched the surface of NZ and my schedule was basically "hike, hike, rest, repeat."
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,986
Planning for a 1 week trip in NZ (family of 4 that includes 7yr old and 2yr old) first week of June 2019. I know this is a very open ended question but are there any general suggestions about things to absolutely see/do with 2 kids to make this a memorable once in a lifetime trip?
It takes more time to drive to places in NZ than you may think. Many roads are 2 lane with hills & corners. Average speed can be low. High speed interstates are are uncommon.
#78
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 644
Ah ok. If I had to pick just 1 city to stay and do day tours from there what would be an ideal location for it?
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,986
A week is not long as the day of arrival and day of departure may be wasted/limited. Dragging 2 little kids along can be hard work.
Consider Auckland to Rotorua area
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotorua
Or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coromandel_Peninsula
#80
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 644
Are you flying in/out of AKL (if booked)? Have a rental car?
A week is not long as the day of arrival and day of departure may be wasted/limited. Dragging 2 little kids along can be hard work.
Consider Auckland to Rotorua area
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotorua
Or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coromandel_Peninsula
A week is not long as the day of arrival and day of departure may be wasted/limited. Dragging 2 little kids along can be hard work.
Consider Auckland to Rotorua area
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotorua
Or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coromandel_Peninsula
#81
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 177
We will be getting to NZ from MEL and so flying into/out of any city in NZ should work. We plan to stay in NZ before going back to MEL to go back to our friends place and then onwards to India from there. I wasn't planning on renting a car but wouldn't rule out that option if that is the efficient way to do it.
Last edited by secondsoprano; Sep 25, 2018 at 4:37 pm Reason: Add more detail
#82
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, OAK, SJC
Posts: 242
Auckland was a big "eh" for me, so with limited time and the ability to fly into anywhere nonstop from MEL, I would:
Fly into ZQN
Day 1: day trip to Milford Sound
Day 2: explore Queenstown
Day 3: drive to Hooker Valley Track, hike, spend the night (I know you said no hiking, but the track is short, flat, and well marked; if you go to NZ, you kind of need to do one walk, and this one has great views for minimal effort)
Day 4: back down to Queenstown, stop through Wanaka and Arrowtown
Day 5: fly to Wellington (I didn't get a chance to go, but it looks like a nice city to explore)
Day 6-7: explore Wellington and surrounding area
Fly back to MEL
Just a thought.
Fly into ZQN
Day 1: day trip to Milford Sound
Day 2: explore Queenstown
Day 3: drive to Hooker Valley Track, hike, spend the night (I know you said no hiking, but the track is short, flat, and well marked; if you go to NZ, you kind of need to do one walk, and this one has great views for minimal effort)
Day 4: back down to Queenstown, stop through Wanaka and Arrowtown
Day 5: fly to Wellington (I didn't get a chance to go, but it looks like a nice city to explore)
Day 6-7: explore Wellington and surrounding area
Fly back to MEL
Just a thought.
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,986
You need a car to see the best of NZ. Without you are limited to walking around cities/towns or organised bus tours.
The MEL-ZQN JQ non stop flight leaves at ~06:00. All others will be via another Au / NZ city.
Agree Auckland city does not have a lot going for it. Just a big city (Disclaimer: I'm from the mainland )
Edit. A kiwi trip report
A trip through Middle Earth (AKL, WLG, ZQN, CHC on NZ and SQ)
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Sep 26, 2018 at 4:51 am
#84
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, OAK, SJC
Posts: 242
Just did some random June 2019 Google Flight searches, and NZ flying MEL-ZQN nonstop leaves at ~0900. Was the challenge with kids due to the early flight time? Or getting to Milford Sound and around Queenstown during winter (because of the snow? I have no idea how much it snows there during the winter).
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,986
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milford_Sound
Milford Sound is known as the wettest inhabited place in New Zealand and one of the wettest in the world. Rainfall can reach 250 mm (10 in) during a span of 24 hours.