Unique encounter with dolphins | New Zealand wildlife
Enjoy a beautiful sunset in Doubtful Sound | New Zealand holiday
Beautiful beach Coromandel | New Zealand holiday with kids
Yellow eyed pinguins | New Zealand wildlife
Unique encounter with dolphins | New Zealand wildlife
Enjoy a beautiful sunset in Doubtful Sound | New Zealand holiday
Beautiful beach Coromandel | New Zealand holiday with kids
Yellow eyed pinguins | New Zealand wildlife
Choose from: Easy going, active & adventurous

Activities in New Zealand for families

New Zealand is a treasure trove of family-friendly adventures. Whether you're exploring lush forests, majestic mountains, or charming towns, there's something for everyone.

When you book your family trip with TravelEssence, your itinerary will be packed with activities carefully selected to suit everyone, which will become unforgettable highlights of your holiday in New Zealand.

As we work exclusively with locally owned and managed companies, whom we have personally selected and experienced ourselves - you can rest assured that any recommendations we make come from our own experience, ensuring quality and authenticity.

Guided by knowledgeable locals, these activities are a great way for your family to learn about each destination. Your guides will share their insights into the local culture, history, and stunning nature, making each stop educational and fun.

Whether you're after an easy-going, active, or adventurous holiday, TravelEssence will craft a tailor-made itinerary that makes your family holiday truly magical!

Family walking over a bridge in Rotorua
A group of people in a kayak over clear waters
© Camilla Rutherford

Easy going

As a family-orientated country, New Zealand has all the ingredients to ensure you’ll have a wonderful holiday together.

Whether you’re dreaming of a road trip through stunning landscapes or a mix of easy-going outdoor adventures, suitable for children of all ages, we’ve got you covered.

Hop aboard one of the best train journeys in the world. Go stargazing at Lake Tekapo in the South Island. Spot yellow-eyed penguins and the elusive Kiwi bird in the North Island. Or have a close encounter with seals - with TravelEssence, all your dreams can become a reality!

Look inside our best easy-going activities for families
Spotting wildlife on a cruise in Queen Charlotte Sound | New Zealand holiday
A wildlife cruise in the Queen Charlotte Sound
Have encounters with New Zealand's rare and unique marine wildlife
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Star gazing at Lake Tekapo | New Zealand holiday
Go stargazing in a dark sky reserve
Discover the best sky gazing in New Zealand at Lake Tekapo
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Go whale watching in Kaikoura | New Zealand wildlife
Go whale watching in Kaikoura
Watch the impressive Giant Sperm whales in their natural habitat
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Visit Stewart Island at the southern end of New Zealand
Have a close encounter with Kiwi
The only place in the world to see kiwis during the day in the wild
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Explore the caves in Waitomo | New Zealand holiday
Venture into a magical underground world of glowworms
Explore 12,000-year-old caves that have been formed by the river
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Gannet colony | New Zealand holiday
Visit the world’s largest, most accessible gannet colony with family
Encounter over 20,000 gannets in their natural habitat
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Otago region | New Zealand holiday
Encounter unique southern ocean wildlife
Explore the unrivalled and protected areas of Otago Peninsula
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View point Doubtful Sound | New Zealand holiday
Explore Doubtful Sound on a wilderness cruise
A boat cruise that explores the spectacular Doubtful Sound
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5599 Kepler Mountain View Alpaca Farm Tours alpacas
Meet and greet friendly alpacas
Meet, greet, and possibly feed friendly alpacas
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A Maori live performace
Journey into Te Ao Maori (the Maori world)
Immerse yourself in a 75-minute multi-sensory journey of guided storytelling
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Nz coromandel 2763 ocean leopard boat
Join a Cathedral Cove boat tour
This amazing Cathedral Cove boat tour takes you along 12 kilometres of rocky volcanic coastline to see nearby islands and beautiful beaches.
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Active

Stay active and test your fitness levels with a tailor-made holiday that is perfect for you and your family.

What can your active itinerary look like? From the thrill of exploring glowworm caves in Waitomo to the joy of meeting New Zealand’s friendly wildlife, every aspect of your trip will be customised to ensure it’s just right for you.

Dive in and reach out to us! Let’s craft a bespoke itinerary that looks exactly like your perfect family holiday.

Look inside our best active activities for families
Adventures in Glenorchy National Park | New Zealand active holiday
Discover the Te Wai Pounamu World Heritage Site by jet boat
Travel through the heart of Mount Aspiring National Park
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Discover the Poor Knights Islands by boat | New Zealand holiday with kids
Explore the Poor Knights Islands
Experience the ultimate non-diving Poor Knights Island tour
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Cycle the Tongariro River Trail | New Zealand active holiday
Cycle the Tongariro River Trail
Take it easy, cycle at a relaxed pace and enjoy a family day out
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Kayak the crystal clear waters of Cathedral Cove | New Zealand holiday
Kayak the sparkling blue waters of a marine reserve
Experience one of the best sea kayak tours in New Zealand
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Dolphins jumping around | New Zealand wildlife
Swim with dolphins in Kaikoura
Be entertained by playful and acrobatic dolphins in Kaikoura
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Walter Peak Farm Tour family
A New Zealand farming tour like no other
This is a New Zealand farming tour like no other
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Tui birds on Kapiti Island | New Zealand wildlife
Explore a bird sanctuary and marine reserve
Visit a protected island and bird paradise by boat
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Nz otago bike trail people see and do active
Cycle the Otago Rail Trail
Cycle the famous Otago Rail Trail
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Wanaka water tour
Explore the magical Mou Waho Island with your family
Experience the ultimate lake and mountain adventure
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4238 NZ activity Ridgeline Adventures Wanaka adventurous 1
Get off the beaten track in Wanaka
Experience a 4WD along roads seldom travelled
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Jumping dolphins in Kaikoura | New Zealand wildlife

Would you like to find out a little more?

We offer regular online presentations. Get to know New Zealand a little better. And see if you like what we offer and what we can offer you. It’s free, of course, and no obligation. You can find our next online presentations here.

Sign up for an online presentation

Adventurous

Is your family always on the hunt for the next thrill? Look no further! New Zealand is the ultimate outdoor playground for adventure lovers, and TravelEssence is here to guide you to the wildest experiences.

Take a jet boat ride along the cascading waters, hike through the frozen mountainous landscapes of Wanaka, take a helicopter ride high above the breathtaking Fiords, and dive into exhilarating activities with TravelEssence.

We would love to tell you more about our action-packed, family-friendly activities. Will you dare to find out more?

Look inside our best adventurous activities for families
Adventure jet boating in Queenstown region | New Zealand holiday
Get your heart pumping during a thrilling jet boat ride
Experience the world's most exhilarating jet boat ride
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A yellow and white sailing boat on clear turquoise water
Set sail in the Coromandel with family
Cruise past Mercury Bay and Cooks Beach before anchoring at Cathedral Cove
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A woman swimming with a dolphin
Swim with dolphins in their natural habitat
Enjoy the ultimate experience with dolphins in their natural habitat
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Helicopter landing on Fox Glacier
Conquer the Fox Glacier Heli Hike
Experience a helicopter ride and landing on a glacier
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People rafting down a river in tubes
Go rafting in the Paparoa National Park together with your family
Be guided through the untamed natural wilderness of the Paparoa National Park and the Nile River Cave System
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Spectacular glowworms cave Waitomo | New Zealand holiday
Experience a different world underground
A 5-hour adventure, abseiling into the depths of the earth
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People walking over a swing bridge
Zipline through stunning native forest with your family
Soar above three waterfalls on a total of four ziplines
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Spectacular dive to spot many fishes | New Zealand active holiday
Discover the underwater world of New Zealand’s best dive locations
Experience world-class underwater experiences for every level of diver
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Ready for the holiday of a lifetime?

Discover a world beyond ordinary

At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.