4 Family-Friendly Places to Visit in New Zealand

New Zealand is by far one of the most spectacular places one can visit. After all, this is the country where one of the most magical movie series The Lord of the Rings was filmed. Packed with gorgeous rainforests, mountain ranges, and a whole lot of adventure, this is the go-to place for thrill-seekers as well as a part of every travel junkie’s travel bucket list.

But that’s not all, because this beautiful country is also considered great for families, whether with grown-up kids or young little ones. So if you’re trying to decide a destination for your next trip then book airline tickets to New Zealand and have fun with the whole family.

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Why Visit New Zealand?

Well, there are many other beautiful places, that’s true, but New Zealand offers a more unique experience. The scenery alone is reason enough to visit this place. And it’s not just one kind of landscape, but a whole variety of them.

This diversity allows people to have all kinds of fun. Besides, I personally think that a more outdoorsy type of vacation is the best because it truly allows us to have a break from our fast-paced lifestyles.

It’s also very tourist-friendly. The local people are a friendly bunch while the whole place has an excellent road network which allows you to move around with ease. Simply rent a car or hop on a bus to get wherever you wish.

Then each location here as a help center that can guide you and even suggest the best and most affordable places to stay at. This friendly environment is not only great for travelers but it also leaves a very positive impact on young impressionable kids.

Read more: 10 Amazing Places in New Zealand You Simply Can’t Afford to Miss

When is the best time to visit New Zealand?

If I’m being honest, then New Zealand is one of those places that are perfect all-year-round so basically, you can visit it any time of the year and still have a great trip. Of course, it’s always adventurous there but some activities are only seasonal, like skiing for example. However, being in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are a bit different. Like the months that are considered summer months in most places are winter months here.

Summer (December, January, and February) is the busiest time here so you can expect a spike in prices but it is also an amazing time for most activities here, especially if you wish to go on a hike or such. For, lower prices but still great weather, consider going in the fall season.

If you’re a skiing fan then head to Queenstown, also considered one of the top ski locations in the world for an amazing skiing experience. Lastly, if you wish to see everything at its most beautiful then visit in spring.

Queenstown

Top places for a family visit in New Zealand

1. Sea-life and the beach

This one may sound obvious but that’s the very reason it’s a part of the list. Not only are the beaches here very family-friendly but they’re amazing no matter which season you visit New Zealand in. The best beaches to visit are the ones near Auckland or on the Coromandel Peninsula because these two happen to be the most family-friendly ones. And if you arrive during winter then head to the beaches on the west coast for a nice black sandy beach experience.

While we’re talking about the sea, aquariums are also great for children. For a lovely time viewing the sea-life then head to Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium located in Auckland. It’s home to over 30 live animal exhibits including the largest Antarctic penguin colony exhibit. You can also hop in a cage and view sharks and stingrays up close. With a very interactive atmosphere and a lovely kids’ area, it’s is a great place to visit.

Coromandel Peninsula

2. Chocolate Carnival

Yes, I know it basically sounds like a dream come true for any chocolate lover. Sadly, this isn’t available all-year-round but for one week in summer, hosted by Cadbury, this carnival is a delight for everyone who enjoys chocolate. There are fun tours available with amazing chocolate decorations and of course the iconic Cadbury Crunchie Train!

A strange and unique race also takes place here called the Cadbury Jaffa Race, where countless orange sugar-coated balls are spread on the steepest road and well you see which balls reach the end first. But hey the fun lively atmosphere is there to make it seem interesting enough.

There are also many activities available for kids and the iconic train itself is enough to attract visitors. On the train, you can enjoy the lovely views between Dunedin and Hindon on the Taieri Gorge Railway while your kids enjoy fun stories being narrated out loud.

Read more: Shouldn’t-Miss Spots When Visiting Dunedin

Dunedin

3. Live in the world of Lord of the Rings

This activity is best enjoyed with kids. The famous film trilogy was filmed in over 150 locations all in New Zealand and it’ll be a shame to miss out on them. Don’t let the big number worry you because most of them are near major landmarks or tourist help centers so they’re very easy to visit.

For a more detailed tour, join a guided tour group. Some of them even take you to the famous glowworm cave, unique to only New Zealand and the cute Hobbiton movie set, all in one day. The glowing worms are a wonder of nature while the movie set provides fun scenery. You can also visit other iconic places from the movie like the Green Dragon Inn.

Hobbiton Movie Set

4. Say hi to the dolphins or the rare Kiwi bird

New Zealand is home to a wide variety of wildlife. The waters near New Zealand are home to the common types of dolphins as well as the super-rare Hector dolphin. And this is the best place to swim with the dolphins is because the tour is very well managed. The tour operators are very vigilant about the dolphin’s safety. So if your child is above eight and can swim then head over to Akaroa Harbour, as this is the only place in the world where one can swim and be playful with the Hector Dolphin.

Or you can head to the Otorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park, to see the endangered Kiwi bird up close. In fact, that is the only place where you can see the biggest one of the species, the spotted kiwi. There are also other bird species you can see, and nocturnal enclosures only add to the numbers. The keepers are available if you need information on the birds and this place is open daily as well.

Here’s another post from the same contributor: 7 Reasons Flights Comparison Is Necessary Before Finalizing Tickets.

Have you visited any of these places? What other family-friendly places or activities in New Zealand can you suggest? Let me know in the comments below.

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