New Zealand is a great place to go with the family, even with an infant. My second daughter was 7 months old when I brought her to the South Island, and my youngest daughter just turned 1 year when I brought her to the North Island. Both were not even walking yet.
Transport
There is no better way to travel around New Zealand than to drive. Campervans is also quite common. An alternative was to join the day tours but that was more expensive than self-drive.
There was an additional charge for renting a car from the airport, and it was cheaper for my family to take a cab to town and rent the car from town the next day. The car was returned at the airport.
Attractions for the family
- Waitomo Caves (www.waitomo.com, 39 Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo Caves, Private Bag 501, Otorohanga) Booked tour online
- Mt Taranaki (www.taranaki.co.nz)
- Tongariro National Park Volcanoes (www.nationalpark.co.nz)
- Huka Falls, and Huka Falls River Cruise (www.hukafallscruise.co.nz)
- Lake Taupo (www.greatlaketaupo.com)
- Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland (www.waiotapu.co.nz, 201 Waiotapu Loop Road, RD 3, Rotorua 3073)
- Rainbow Springs (www.rainbowsprings.co.nz, Fairy Springs Road, PO Box 25, Rotorua, New Zealand)
- Skyline and Luge (www.skyline.co.nz, Fairy Springs Road, PO Box 2353, Rotorua New Zealand)
- Mitai Maori Village (mitai.co.nz, 196 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua, )
- Zorb (www.zorb.com)
- Agrodome Show and Farm Tour (www.agrodome.co.nz, Western Road, Ngongotaha, Rotorua)
- Polynesian Spa for a dip in the hot springs pool (www.polynesianspa.co.nz, 1000 Hinemoa Street, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand)
- Muriwai Beach and Gannet Colony
- Auckland Sky tower (www.skycityauckland.co.nz/Attractions/Skytower.html)
- Bees Online (www.beesonline.co.nz, 791 State Highway 16 , RD3 Waimauku, Rodney, Auckland 0883, New Zealand)
- Pride of Auckland Cruise – (www.prideofauckland.com, Explore NZ Booking Kiosk, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland)
Other places considered
- Hell’s Gate Geothermal park and mud spa (www.hellsgate.co.nz, SH30, Tikitere, Rotorua, New Zealand)
- Tepuia Whakarewarewa Thermal Area (www.tepuia.com, Box 334, Hemo Road, Rotorua, New Zealand)
- Lord of the Rings Hobbiton movie set tours (www.hobbitontours.com, Rings Scenic Tours Ltd, 101 Arawa Street, PO 366, Matamata, New Zealand)
Hotels
It was easy to find decent accommodations for a family of 4-5 in New Zealand. Most of it provided a kitchenette and all provided free parking. These were the places I stayed in New Zealand North Island.
- 1N farm stay in Tirau (I stayed at Belmont Farm, which had a cottage with 2 bedrooms)
- 1N in New Plymouth (I stayed at Coronation Court Motel, which had a 2-bedroom apartment)
- 1N in National Park (I stayed at Howards Lodge which had a Deluxe Family Room)
- 3N in Rotorua (I stayed at Brylin Motel which had a Family 2-bedroom apartment)
- 2N in Auckland (The place I stayed is no longer available)
