There Is No Place Like It On Earth

South Island Family Journey

A gentle family journey through lakes, mountains, wildlife and meaningful time together.

11 Days / 10 Nights

Family Holidays

South Island, New Zealand

Private Journey / Small Group Available

Christchurch

Akaroa

Tekapo

Mount Cook

Wānaka

Queenstown

Glenorchy

Overview

Create meaningful family memories through journeys designed for both children and parents. Our family holidays combine nature, culture, light adventure and comfortable travel planning, giving children space to explore while allowing parents to relax and enjoy the journey.

Each itinerary is thoughtfully paced and family-friendly, with selected accommodations, safe transport, age-appropriate experiences and flexible arrangements. From outdoor discovery to local cultural encounters, every trip is designed to make travel easier, richer and more enjoyable for the whole family.

Journey Highlights

Nature-based Experiences

Give children the chance to connect with landscapes, wildlife and the outdoors through real-world discovery.

Family-friendly Travel Pace

Carefully planned routes with enough time to rest, explore and enjoy each destination without feeling rushed.

Travel with Local Hosts & Experts

Meet local family hosts, nature guides and experience leaders who bring each place to life through stories, hands-on activities and everyday knowledge of New Zealand.

Comfort and Safety First

Selected accommodation, reliable transport and thoughtful arrangements designed around family needs.

Memories for the Whole Family

This journey gives families time and space to reconnect — through shared discoveries, quiet moments in nature and experiences that become part of the family story.

Your Itinerary

Experience

Arrive in Christchurch, the gateway to New Zealand's South Island. Begin with a gentle Māori waka experience on the Avon River, followed by a relaxed walk through the Botanic Gardens — a soft landing into the rhythm of New Zealand.

Meals

Not included

Experience

Travel to the French-inspired seaside village of Akaroa, set within a peaceful volcanic harbour. Head out on a harbour cruise in search of New Zealand's rare Hector's dolphins, with the chance to spot seals, seabirds and little blue penguins along the way. Then enjoy a warm farm experience with friendly alpacas.

Meals

Breakfast / Dinner

Experience

Journey south to Oamaru, known for its beautifully preserved Victorian streets, limestone buildings, galleries and cafés. In the evening, watch the world's smallest little blue penguins return from the sea, then settle into a memorable valley glamping stay under open skies.

Meals

Breakfast / Dinner

Experience

Travel into the Mackenzie region and explore the glacial landscapes around Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo with a local guide. At night, join a stargazing experience in one of the world's best dark sky areas, searching for the Southern Cross beneath the Milky Way.

Meals

Breakfast

Experience

Enter Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park and board a Tasman Glacier Lake boat to explore floating icebergs and glacier-fed waters up close. Later, visit a high-country salmon farm before continuing through the alpine landscape to Wānaka.

Meals

Not included

Experience

Slow down by Lake Wānaka with a gentle lakeside walk and picnic near the famous "lonely tree". In the afternoon, take a boat to a lake island for an eco-treasure walk, discovering native wildlife and learning about local conservation.

Meals

Lunch

Experience

Start the day with a hands-on salmon fishing experience at a scenic farm, where the catch can be prepared fresh for tasting. Later, follow an easy forest trail to the Blue Pools, where clear turquoise water invites children to play and explore.

Meals

Not included

Experience

Visit Arrowtown, a historic gold-mining town filled with cobbled streets, heritage buildings and stories from the past. Children can try gold panning by the Arrow River before enjoying free time to explore Queenstown at their own pace.

Meals

Dinner

Experience

Spend the morning with a fifth-generation beekeeper and learn how honey is made. Children can discover the world of bees and create their own bottle of New Zealand honey, followed by a relaxed afternoon by the lake in Queenstown.

Meals

Not included

Experience

Follow the scenic road along Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy for a full-day Dart River adventure. Ride by jet boat, continue by Funyak through hidden streams and quiet valleys, and experience the landscapes that helped bring Middle-earth to life.

Meals

Lunch

Experience

Take the gondola up above Queenstown for sweeping views of the lake and mountains, then enjoy the family-favourite Skyline Luge. After one last moment of childhood joy, transfer to the airport and farewell the South Island.

Meals

Not included

Included

Airport pick-up and drop-off
Land transportation by luxury Mercedes 12–20 seater vehicle
Dedicated bilingual driver-guide service throughout
Accommodation listed in the itinerary (10 nights)
Meals listed in the itinerary
All listed attractions, experiences and exclusive activities
Local coordination and on-ground support

For meals not included, we recommend carefully selected local restaurants and assist with reservations. These meals are at guests' own expense.

Not Included

International return flights and domestic flights within New Zealand
Passport and visa-related costs
Personal expenses during the journey
Optional free-time activities and related transport
Tips or gratuities, if applicable
Any services not specifically listed in the confirmed itinerary

Price

From NZD 8,500 per person

Twin-share basis · Indicative from-price

Let our travel designers create a journey tailored to your family.

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