Family Adventure in New Zealand: Jet Boats, Whale Safaris & Māori Culture - 7 Days

Highlights

• Spot orcas, manta rays, and turtles on a whale and dolphin safari in Auckland
• Step into the world of "The Lord of the Rings" in Hobbiton 
• Relive some of rugby's biggest moments at the All Blacks Experience
• Luge down the mountainsides of Queenstown, New Zealand's "adventure capital"
• Be propelled along the glacial-fed Dart River in a jet boat

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Auckland

Welcome to New Zealand! A driver will be waiting at the airport to take you and your family to your lodgings. Once you've settled in, head out to the city and explore! Auckland's urban paradise is a playground for city lovers and adventure-seekers alike, also known as the "City of Sails" due to its location amid multiple bodies of water. For the thrill-seekers in your family, you could shake off your jet lag by heading to the Sky Tower for a bungee jump. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie or not, the Sky Tower, with its panoramic views, is an excellent place to begin exploring New Zealand's metropolis.

If you're a family of country lovers, then just a 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland is Waiheke Island: a lush haven of walking trails, wineries, and white-sand beaches. Take the Explorer Hop-on-Hop-off bus, which stops at 15 of Waiheke's most famous landmarks. There are over 30 wineries on the island, with Cable Bay and Mudbrick Vineyard among the most popular. If the kids haven't quite developed their wine palettes yet, then there are plenty of art galleries, craft boutiques, and paradisical beaches to explore, such as Palm Beach and Onetangi.

Day 2: Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari, All Blacks Experience

After treating yourself to one of New Zealand's famous barista-made coffees get ready to embark on a 4.5-hour whale and dolphin-watching safari aboard the luxurious Dolphin Explorer, which departs from Auckland's Viaduct Basin. Navigate the beautiful Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, from where you'll see landmarks like Harbour Bridge and volcanic Rangitoto Island. Most importantly, keep an eye out for orcas, dolphins, whales, sharks, manta rays, turtles, New Zealand fur seals, and up to 26 species of seabirds, including the little blue penguin.

For sporting fans of all ages, don't miss the All Blacks Experience. Relive some of rugby's most famous moments as knowledgeable guides kick your visit off with an introduction to the game itself. They will then lead you through a state-of-the-art immersion combining sound, images, interactive technology, and hands-on activities. Experience the full force of the All Blacks haka, and tackle interactive zones where you can try out your kicking, catching, line-out, and accuracy skills against legendary All Blacks. Afterward, spend the evening trying out Auckland's gastronomy scene before heading back to your hotel for the night.

Day 3: Drive to Rotorua via Hobbiton Movie Set

Pack your things, pick up your family-friendly rental car, and set off toward Rotorua. Get ready for a magical journey through Middle-earth to the Hobbiton movie set from "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" films. Travel south from Auckland over the Bombay Hills to the rich farmland of the Waikato region. On arrival at Shire's Rest, you will embark on your Hobbiton movie set tour, where you will see 44 Hobbit holes, Bilbo's house, the Mill and Double Arch Bridge, the party tree, and the Green Dragon Inn—where a complimentary beer, cider, or ginger ale will be waiting for you.

Exit Hobbit land and continue your drive to Rotorua—one of the world's most active volcanic regions. Drop your things off at your lodgings, and immerse yourself in Māori culture at a nearby Māori village—Te Pā Tū—where you will enjoy a three-course feast and four-hour celebration of dancing, music, and storytelling in a forest amphitheater. Be served appetizers as you listen to stories and songs, then follow your Māori guide by torchlight to your three-course hākari (feast), all cooked in hāngī—a traditional New Zealand Māori method of cooking food using heated rocks buried in a pit oven.

Day 4: Explore Rotorua on Your Own: Māori Arts, Kiwi Birds & Gondola

Today you'll have free time to explore Rotorua at your own pace. Choose from natural hot springs, boiling mud baths, otherworldly green and orange sulfur pools, and steaming geysers—or see them all at Te Puia Springs. Head here also to witness the Pohutu Geyser, which erupts up to 20 times a day, shooting a plume of scalding water 100 feet (30 m) into the sky. The surrounding area also boasts redwood forests with free trails suitable for all types of hikers and mountain bikers.

For something even more thrilling, head to Velocity Valley Adventure Park, which features stomach-dropping attractions, like static skydiving or a giant swing reaching a speed of 80 miles (130 km) per hour. Alternatively, head up the Rotorua Gondola for soaring lake views and a nighttime sled ride. Here, you'll also find luge tracks, a high-adrenaline swing, and a zip line—all great ways for teenagers to express their risk-taking side safely!

Day 5: Fly to Queenstown, Skyline Queenstown Gondola & Three Luge Rides

Set off early in the morning back to Auckland, where you will take a flight to Queenstown on the South Island. Spend some time exploring the city at your own pace. This is the self-proclaimed adventure capital of the world, with many adrenaline-inducing activities available in the area, like paragliding and bungee jumping. For more relaxing activities, walk or bike ride around Lake Wakatipu. If your children are on the older side, they can stay busy with the many activities in town while you venture just outside of the city and sample the cool-climate wines during a tour of the region's best boutique vineyards. 

Something that shouldn't be missed during your stay in Queensland is a scenic ride on the Skyline Gondola—one of the steepest cable car lifts in the Southern Hemisphere. You'll climb over 1,400 feet (450 m) to Bob's Peak for panoramic views of the Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and sparkling Lake Wakatipu. After admiring the views, ride the peak's two hilltop luge tracks. The gondola will take you back down the mountain, or you can opt to hike or even mountain bike back down. 

Day 6: Dart River Safaris, TSS Earnslaw Farm Tour

Get ready for a thrilling day today as you board a jet boat for an adrenaline-pumping ride into the stunning Mount Aspiring National Park. Whiz along glacier-fed rivers while your guide shares Māori legends and historical information about the area. The tour includes a chance to stop and walk in beech tree forests, instantly recognizable as "The Lord of the Rings" filming locations for true fans. 

Bring down the adrenaline with a relaxed evening aboard the TSS Earnslaw steamship. Glide across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak High Country Farm, where you will enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner. Featuring rotisserie-cooked meats, seasonal vegetables, and salads, followed by sweet treats and New Zealand cheeses, you won't leave feeling hungry! Watch demonstrations about high country life on the farm before stepping back on board the steamship. Join a merry sing-along with the ship's pianist, and watch the lights of Queenstown come back into focus as you sail back to town. 

Day 7: Depart Queenstown

If you have time before the long flight, stretch your legs on a walk or a jog around the lake, and head to a Queensland café for a hearty breakfast and your caffeine fix. Bid farewell to New Zealand as you step onto your plane. Safe travels!

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