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If you want less driving on the roads, then this 12-day South Island family holiday itinerary is perfect for you. To get your South Island journey off to a great start, we have included your transfer from Christchurch airport. A family-friendly and spacious self-contained accommodation awaits you. Once you have settled in, collect your quality rental car. Now your holiday in the beautiful South Island can really begin. This is a fun family holiday with top South Island destinations and places to stay.
There is much to see and to do on this Family Adventure Holiday in New Zealand:
Learn more or book your Family Holiday South Island New Zealand in 12 days:
Day 1Christchurch
After arrival at Christchurch Airport, take your pre-arranged transfer service to your hotel. The central city is only a short drive away, so kick back and relax into your South Island family holiday. Depending on your flight arrival time, you’ll have some time to explore Christchurch.
Check in to City Centre Motel
Recommended - Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Recommended - Christchurch Tramway Restaurant
Optional - International Antarctic Centre
Day 2Lake Tekapo
Pick-up a rental car and drive the Inland route (via the scenic Rakaia Gorge) through South Canterbury to Geraldine. Continue into the Mackenzie country to Lake Tekapo and Twizel Village ( 4 hours). See the turquoise colour of Lake Tekapo, visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd and the Mount John Observatory. The southern hemisphere's equivalent of the Northern Lights is best seen at Lake Tekapo, between April and September. Because of limited accommodation in this region, your stay will vary between Twizel, Mt. Cook Village and Lake Tekapo.
Check in to Mantra Lake Tekapo Resort
Optional - Earth & Sky Observatory
Optional - Tekapo Springs
Optional - Air Safaris Tekapo
Day 3Queenstown
The Mount Cook area offers 4WD safaris, boating on the glacier lakes, horse treks, scenic flights with snow landings and numerous hikes. The Glacier Explorers company operates up to 7 trips per day from early September to late May. This tour include a coach ride, a 20-minute walk, then a boat cruise through the Tasman Glacier terminal lake. Touch and taste the ice crystals from the floating icebergs. This is great fun for children and parents alike!
Check in to Garden Court Suites
Information - Mount Cook National Park
Included - Glacier Explorers Aoraki Mt Cook
Optional - The Helicopter Line Mount Cook
Day 4Queenstown
Drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy for the day (50 min). Remember to stop along the way to take photos. Join the Dart River Safaris and travel up the river on a jet boat. Get a firsthand experience of the Lord of the Rings movies locations. This is a real highlight for LOTR fans!
Check in to Garden Court Suites
Included - Dart River Safaris
Optional - Shotover Jet
Optional - Skyline Queenstown
Optional - Queenstown Rafting Kawarau River
Optional - Nzone Skydive Queenstown
Day 5Queenstown
There is so much to see and do in the Queenstown region - so spend another day exploring. Consider a thrilling Fly-Cruise-Fly to the beautiful and dramatic Milford Sound! This is a highlight trip for any family travelling through the South Island.
Check in to Garden Court Suites
Optional - Milford Sound Scenic Flight
Day 6Fox Glacier
Drive to the beautiful rugged West Coast (Queenstown to Fox: 5.5 hours). From Haast to Jackson Bay you'll see shingle beaches, lakes and wetlands - plus the backdrop of the Southern Alps. Take a helicopter flight over the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier - a definite highlight is landing on the snow! Do the scenic Lake Matheson Walk (just over 1 hour) or the glacier face walk in the Fox Glacier valley - a family-friendly activity for all children over the age of 6 years.
Check in to Sunset Motel Fox Glacier
Optional - The Helicopter Line Fox Glacier
Day 7Punakaiki
Continue travelling north along the West Coast road. Explore the goldfield walkway at Ross and stop by the shores of Lake Ianthe. For young families, a must-do is a visit to Shantytown near Greymouth. For an awesome nature experience, consider a visit to the White Heron colony near Whataroa. The town of Hokitika is famous for New Zealand Pounamu (Jade) and gold. Arrive at Punakaiki in the afternoon. Note: do all your supply shopping before you arrive in Punakaiki.
Check in to Hydrangea Cottages
Information - Paparoa National Park
Optional - White Heron Sanctuary Tour
Optional - Shantytown Heritage Park
Recommended - Hokitika
Day 8Abel Tasman National Park
The Great Coast Road as one of the Top 10 Coastal Drives in the world! Drive alongside the limestone cliffs of Paparoa National Park, home to the world's smallest penguin. Go underground rafting at Charleston or caving at Fox River. Visit the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki. Stop by the seal colony at Cape Foulwind. Plan on having lunch at Westport and enjoy some great home-cooked food. Continue via the Buller River Gorge to the Abel Tasman-Nelson region.
Check in to Mapua 41 South
Recommended - Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
Optional - Underground Caving Charleston
Recommended - Coal Museum Westport
Day 9Abel Tasman National Park
When it comes to lush native bush and and sea views, the Abel Tasman Coast Track is unsurpassed! This great New Zealand walk passes through golden beaches and coastal forests. If you are keen on nature and wildlife, join an Eco tour in a small party group. Another popular option is a guided sea kayaking tour for a half or full day. For a higher level of comfort, take your family on the Abel Tasman Charter yacht trip.
Check in to Mapua 41 South
Information - Abel Tasman National Park
Included - Abel Tasman Golden Future Tour
Optional - Abel Tasman Charters Taranui
Optional - R&R Kayaks
Day 10Kaikoura
Continue driving the loop around the South Island to Kaikoura via Blenheim. If you love fine wines and vineyard lunches, then Blenheim is worth a few hours stop. Before or after lunch, do take your family to visit the Omaka Aviation Museum at the Omaka Air Field - your kids will love it! Remember, Kaikoura is only about 2.5 hours drive from Blenheim.
Check in to Kincaid Cottage
Information - Blenheim
Recommended - Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
Day 11Kaikoura
Kaikoura is the centre of Whalewatching in New Zealand. Please Note: these tours are very much dependent on sea conditions (it has to be calm before the boats go out). Therefore, the best tour time is early morning. By going early, you will have time to check out other local sites in the afternoon.
Check in to Kincaid Cottage
Included - Whale Watch Kaikoura
Optional - Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura
Optional - Albatross Encounter Kaikoura
Optional - Wings Over Whales Kaikoura
Day 12Kaikoura
Drive back to Christchurch (about 2.5 hours) Depending on your flight time, you may have ample time to explore the Christchurch region before leaving.
12 Days - Standard
per person (with family of 4),
FROM
NZ$6690
( Not including intern. flights )
12 Days - Superior
per person (with family of 4),
FROM
NZ$12890
( Not including intern. flights )
12 Days - Premium
per person (with family of 4),
FROM
NZ$18280
( Not including intern. flights )
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