 Where is it and how do I get there?
New Zealand is about a 3-hour flight from the East Coast of Australia. Several airlines regularly fly from Australian capital cities to New Zealand so you should be able to get a flight any day of the week. Air New Zealand offers flights daily from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Auckland and 4 times a week from Perth. From Adelaide, you must first stopover in Melbourne or Sydney Direct flights are also available from Sydney and Melbourne to Wellington and Christchurch.
| From |
Hours |
| Sydney |
3 |
| Melbourne |
3.5 |
| Brisbane |
3 |
| Perth |
6.5 |
When to go/weather
Anytime is a good time to visit New Zealand. The seasons and temperatures are similar to those of southern Australia. The northern islands are subtropical, while the south is temperate. The mountainous regions can get very cold and experience snow in late autumn and winter – great for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding.
Where to stay
There's no shortage of family-friendly accommodation options anywhere in New Zealand, from budget motels to charming guesthouses and luxury hotels.
If you want absolute freedom to travel around the country, a terrific option is a motorhome holiday. United Campervans has quality, family-sized vehicles with comfortable facilities and great value package specials.
Resorts with kids’ clubs/facilities offered
Spencer on Byron Hotel
Spencer on Byron Hotel in Auckland, is just a 5 minute walk from beautiful Takapuna Beach. It's close to shopping, dining and nightlife areas as well as bushwalks, scenic parks and sports activities, so there's plenty to do for families of all ages.
 Edgewater Resort
Edgewater Resort is on the shores of Lake Wanaka, with breathtaking views of the rugged mountains of the South Islands. Facilities include tennis courts, a spa and sauna, kid's playground and a licensed restaurant with a special children's menu. From the resort you can book adventure tours like abseiling, rafting, skydiving, parasailing, horse trekking and waterskiing, and it’s close to family attractions like the Wanaka Maze and Puzzling World and the Transport and Toy Musuem.
Food and Drink
Multicultural New Zealand offers an endless variety of dining options so fussy kids will be easy to cater for. New Zealand produces some of the best seafood, meat and dairy produce in the world – don’t miss sampling the incredible steak, lamb, crayfish, mussels, cheese, butter and ice cream. Traditional Maori fare consists mainly of root vegetables such as kumera (sweet potato), fish and shellfish. A Maori feast is known as a hangi and involves roasting meat and vegetables wrapped in cabbage or watercress leaves over hot stones in a dug out pit.
Shopping
Normal shopping hours are 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Thursday. Friday is late-night shopping and most stores stay open til 9pm. On Saturday, shopping hours are 9am to 1pm, although most major shopping centres stay open until 4 or 5pm. Many shops outside of major tourist centres are closed on Sundays. Good buys in New Zealand include Maori artworks such as wood carvings, woven baskets and carved greenstone. High quality woollen goods are also widely available but they're not really any cheaper than what you'd get in Australia. Be aware that products made from wood or plants may have to be treated by Quarantine upon return to Australia, so be sure to declare them.
Visit www.kidsauckland.com The one stop shopping and information site for parents of kids from birth through to 12yrs.
Airports
There are three major International Airports in New Zealand – Auckland and Wellington the North Island and Christchurch in the South. All three airports offer duty-free shopping, eateries, banks, ATMs, car hire and 24- hour taxis.
Transfers from airport
Several transport options are available from Auckland airport if you haven't arranged a transfer with your hotel. One of the most interesting (and most expensive) ways to get out of the airport is a helicopter flight to any destination you choose. These can be booked in advance or at the airport. Regular buses and shuttle services operate from the airport to the city centre. Car hire is also available and taxis are always waiting outside the Arrivals hall.
 Getting around for families
Being a relatively compact country, it's easy and fairly inexpensive to get around in New Zealand. Flying is a great way to get around quickly while enjoying amazing views over mountains, volcanoes and forested islands.
Boat services are also available between the islands.
Both the North and South Islands have a reliable and extensive public bus system. Smaller, cheaper shuttle buses, some which cater especially to travellers.
Train travel in New Zealand is comfortable and relatively fast although the rail service isn't particularly extensive.
Car or campervan hire is probably the best way to get around New Zealand. The roads are well maintained and signposted and there are literally hundreds of scenic drives to explore with the family.
What to wear
During summer, light clothing is fine for most of the time, but pack a few light jackets and jumpers, especially if you plan to visit higher altitudes. You should expect some rain, so bring along light raincoats or rain jackets. Between May and September you will need a good supply of warm winter clothing that you can put on in layers. Sunglasses or visors are a must for a visit to the snow to protect your eyes from glaring sunlight reflecting off the snow.
Population
New Zealand has population of just under 4 million. The majority of which are of European ancestry. The indigenous Maori people make up about 13.5% of the population. New Zealand is also home to a thriving Asian community.
Culture/Religion
New Zealand's culture is a blend of Maori, European and other ethnic influences. New Zealanders are easy-going and friendly people with a love of sport and the outdoors.
The indigenous Maoris are a Polynesian people who originated from South-East Asian and eventually spread to the islands of the South Pacific. The Maori have a close kinship with the land, their traditional beliefs rooted in legends of nature spirits such as Tangaroa (God of the Sea) and Tane Mahuta (God of the Forest), who are remembered today in tribal song and dance. Traditional artworks such as bone carvings, carved walking sticks and greenstone necklaces should be treated with respect, as they are believed to carry the spirits of their original owners.
 Language
English is the official language of New Zealand. But only a fifth of the Maori population in New Zealand are able to converse in Maori. In recent years, special Maori schools have been developed to ensure the survival of the language. Many of the towns and landmarks of New Zealand still bear their Maori names.
In Hawke's Bay, on the North Island, you'll find the longest place name in New Zealand:
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikiiflaung-ahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu.
Roughly translated it means the brow of a hill where Tamatea, the man with the big knees who slid, climbed and swallowed mountains, who travelled the land, played his flute to his loved one.
Time
New Zealand is 2 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. For time zones, click here.
Currency
The local currency is the New Zealand dollar. AU$1 is roughly equivalent to NZ$1.14. For up-to-date currency conversion, click here.
Tipping
As in Australia, tipping isn't required but is common in most hotels and restaurants, particularly in the major cities.
Electricity
240 volts, 50 Hz AC. No adapter is needed for Australian appliances.
Health precautions
No vaccinations are required to enter New Zealand.
 Tap water
Tap water is safe in all developed areas in New Zealand, but bring along bottled water if you plan on heading to more remote areas.
Passport and Visa Requirements
Australians don't require a visa to enter New Zealand but you must hold a current passport valid for at least 3 after the date of departure.
HWK Family Travel Tips
What tour of New Zealand would be complete without an encounter with the country's most famous animal inhabitant – the kiwi?
Sadly, the small flightless bird is fast becoming a rare sight throughout much of New Zealand. A zoo or conservation centre is now the most reliable place to meet this beloved natural treasure. One of the best places to spot kiwis in the wild is Stewart Island off the southern tip of the South Island. Several tour operators on the island offer kiwi spotting expeditions.
Click here for Things to See & Do in New Zealand
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The islands of New Zealand lie in the South Pacific Ocean, around 1,600km off the East coast of Australia. The country is made up of two main islands, North and South and hundreds of smaller islands, most of which are uninhabited. Combined, the islands cover approximately 270,500 square kilometres.
