New Zealand · 16 days · 2,300 km · One-way
Queenstown to Auckland — the family traverse
Cross New Zealand with kids without missing anything. Queenstown adrenaline, Milford Sound fjords, Franz Josef Glacier, Kaikōura whales, Wellington, Rotorua geothermal, Waitomo glow worms and Mount Maunganui beaches. Based on Britz NZ's official guide.
Highlights
- Queenstown Skyline Gondola and Shotover Jet
- Milford Sound (8th wonder of the world)
- Helicopter ride to Franz Josef Glacier
- Kaikōura (whales and llamas)
- Te Papa Museum (Wellington)
- Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (Rotorua)
- Waitomo Caves glow worms
- Mount Maunganui beach
- Auckland Sky Tower
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day 1
Queenstown — pickup and exploration
Queenstown
- · Skyline Gondola with kids' luge
- · Queenstown Hill Time Walk
Overnight: Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park
-
Day 2
Queenstown — adrenaline day
Queenstown
- · Shotover Jet
- · Gibbston Valley wines
Overnight: Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park
-
Day 3
Queenstown → Te Anau → Milford Sound
Queenstown → Milford Sound · 290 km
- · Milford Underwater Observatory
- · Fjord cruise
Overnight: Milford Lodge
-
Day 4
Milford → Franz Josef
Milford Sound → Franz Josef · 580 km
- · Long day via Wanaka and Haast Pass
Overnight: Franz Josef Campervan Park
-
Day 5
Franz Josef — heli & glacier
Franz Josef
- · Helicopter with snow landing
- · Amaia Luxury Spa
- · Franz Josef Walk
Overnight: Franz Josef Campervan Park
-
Day 6
Franz Josef → Kaikōura
Franz Josef → Kaikōura · 590 km
- · Cross Lewis Pass
Overnight: Alpine Pacific Holiday Park
-
Day 7
Kaikōura — wildlife
Kaikōura
- · Whale watching (sperm whales year-round)
- · Llama trek with kids
- · Kaikōura Museum
Overnight: Alpine Pacific Holiday Park
-
Day 8
Kaikōura → Wellington (ferry)
Kaikōura → Wellington · 160 km
- · Inter-island ferry (Cook Strait)
Overnight: Wellington TOP 10 Holiday Park
-
Day 9
Wellington — culture day
Wellington
- · Te Papa Museum
- · Wētā Workshop
- · Historic Cable Car
Overnight: Wellington TOP 10 Holiday Park
-
Day 10
Wellington → Lake Taupō
Wellington → Taupō · 380 km
- · DeBretts Hot Springs
- · Hukafalls Jet Boat
Overnight: Great Lake Taupo Holiday Park
-
Day 11
Taupō → Rotorua
Taupō → Rotorua · 80 km
- · Skyline Rotorua (luge and zipline)
- · Mitai Māori Village (hangi dinner and haka)
Overnight: Rotorua Family Holiday Park
-
Day 12
Rotorua → Waitomo
Rotorua → Waitomo · 150 km
- · Glow worms at Waitomo Caves
- · Black Water Rafting (12+ years)
Overnight: Waitomo TOP 10 Holiday Park
-
Day 13
Waitomo → Mount Maunganui
Waitomo → Mount Maunganui · 220 km
- · Climb Mount Maunganui
- · Tauranga Historic Village
Overnight: Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park
-
Day 14
Mount Maunganui — beach day
Mount Maunganui
- · Family surf and beach day
Overnight: Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park
-
Day 15
Mount Maunganui → Auckland
Mount Maunganui → Auckland · 200 km
- · Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium
- · Sky Tower
Overnight: Takapuna Beach Holiday Park
-
Day 16
Auckland — Piha + drop-off
Auckland · 80 km
- · Piha black-sand beach
- · Vehicle drop-off
Recommended brands for this route
Selection based on road type and trip length. Tighter budgets — we can also quote Mighty.