7-Day Family Adventure

Duration
7 Days

Transport
Campervan or Car

Start and Finish
Auckland

Designed for families with school-aged children, this itinerary offers a balance of outdoor adventures and family-friendly attractions, showcasing the best of the North Island in winter, including the “Winterless North” — Northland!

Day 1: Arrival in Auckland

Arrive at Auckland International Airport, pick up your vehicle.
Explore Auckland this afternoon and choose your own adventure!
- Auckland Museum: Set in the Auckland Domain, this acclaimed museum offers a powerful introduction to New Zealand’s history, and Māori culture.
- Visit the Sky Tower for panoramic views from coast to coast and the Hauraki Gulf.
- Auckland Art Gallery: A beautiful blend of historic and contemporary architecture, this gallery showcases national and international works. Enjoy “A Century of Modern Art” that includes 57 iconic works by artists, such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas and Vincent can Gogh.
- All Blacks Experience: An interactive, high-energy journey into New Zealand’s rugby legacy – perfect for sports lovers.
- Wētā Workshop Unleashed: Dive behind the scenes of blockbuster film-making with this immersive creative experience.
- Extend your stay, with a scenic 40-minute ferry ride to Waiheke Island known for world-class vineyards and restaurants.
Evening Stroll and Dinner: Wander through Viaduct Harbour or Commercial Bay, both buzzing with waterfront energy. Enjoy dinner at one of the many vibrant restaurants or rooftop bars to toast the start of your trip.

Day 2: Auckland — Whangārei — Bay of Islands (Northland)

Drive to Whangārei (approx. 2 hours)
En route, explore Matakana Village, sculpture parks and beautiful local beaches, a favourite escape for Aucklanders.
Visit the iconic the iconic Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Māori Art Gallery, the world’s first public Māori art gallery. Designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, it features over 80- artworks, personal photos, and a lush rooftop garden with over 4,000 plants. Enjoy stunning marina views, guided tours (allow 1-2 hours), and full accessibility.
Enjoy lunch in the Town Basin at one of the many restaurants and browse the shops.
Continue to Paihia, (1 hour). Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds — New Zealand’s most important historic site, admission includes a guided tour, and Māori cultural performance, explore the two high tec museums. Enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants in Paihia along the waterfront, such as Charlottes Kitchen or Tipsy Oyster.

Day 3: Bay of Islands — Hokianga (Northland)

In the morning explore the Bay of Islands by water, this is a must: The Discover the Bay Cruise with Explore Group offers a half-day adventure, visiting the Hole in the Rock and stopping at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island. There you can enjoy lunch at the licensed café, walking tracks, swimming spots.
Travel across to the west coast, (1.5 hours) to the Hokianga to see the iconic ancient trees, Tāne Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere. Take a twilight tour with Footprints Waipoua, for a rich experience, featuring local stories, legends, waiata (songs), and conservation insights. Departing late afternoon, the tour provides a deep cultural connection to the forest.
Accommodation is available nearby, making it a convenient and memorable stop.
Enjoy dinner at The Sands Hotel or the famous Opo takeaways.

Day 4: Northland — Rotorua

Today is a long, but very scenic drive (approx. 6-7 hours) from the Hokianga to Rotorua, take your time, there’s lots to see on the way!
Visit the iconic Kauri Museum, after passing through the beautiful Waipoua Forest. This large museum showcases the history and significance of the Kauri tree, including its ancient origins and Māori cultural connections. A new forest walkway enhances the experience by taking visitiors back to the tree’s Jurassic roots, consider having lunch at the Gumdiggers Café opposite.
Arrive in Rotorua (4.5 hours) in time to check in to your accommodation and relax before tomorrow’s fun.

Day 5: Rotorua Exploration

Agrodome Experience: A Rotorua favourite for families! Enjoy the Farm Show, where kids will love watching sheep shearing, sheepdogs at work, and even getting the chance to feed baby animals. Afterwards, hop on the Farm Tour—a tractor-pulled adventure through the working farm where you can hand-feed alpacas, deer, and other friendly farm animals.
Afternoon, there’s an abundance of family-friendly activities to choose from:
- Paradise Valley Springs, a trout, bird and wildlife park, complete with a pride of lions! Top tip: Lion feeding takes place at 2.30pm daily.
- aMAZEme: A classic hedge maze made from 1.4km of winding hedges—kids and adults can race to find the centre. There’s also a walk-in rabbit cage and old-school games to enjoy.
- Wonderworld Amazement Park: This has an outdoor timber maze, optical illusions, and interactive puzzle zones—ideal for curious minds and families.
- Redwoods Treewalk & Nightlights: Wander among towering Californian redwoods on a series of suspension bridges up to 20 metres high—this peaceful, family-friendly walk offers incredible forest views, birdsong, and a unique perspective on Rotorua’s natural beauty.
Evening Soak at Polynesian Spa: Head to the family pools at this iconic lakefront spa for a relaxing soak in geothermally heated mineral water. A great way to unwind after a busy day on the road.

Day 6: Rotorua Family Fun

Morning Options:
- For adventure-loving families: Head to ZORB Rotorua for an unforgettable experience rolling downhill in a giant inflatable ball. Choose between straight or twisty tracks—great fun, totally unique, and 100% family-friendly.
- For a more relaxed start to the day: Visit the Rotorua 3D Trick Art Gallery, where kids and parents alike can step into clever optical illusion artworks and snap hilarious photos to remember the day.

Afternoon at Skyline Rotorua: Take the gondola ride up Mt Ngongotahā, offering fantastic views over Rotorua and Lake Rotorua. Once at the top, ride the Luge—a family must-do! With scenic and adventurous tracks to choose from, a minimum of three luge rides is recommended.
Dinner at Stratosfare Restaurant: Stay at Skyline Rotorua and enjoy dinner at Stratosfare, for one of the best buffets in NZ. Enjoy stunning panoramic views and a wide variety of delicious dishes for all tastes (including fussy eaters!).

Day 7: Rotorua — Hobbiton & Hamilton, Return to Auckland

Depart Rotorua, arriving mid-morning at Hobbiton Movie Set (Matamata): Step into the magical world of Middle-earth with a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. Wander past hobbit holes, gardens, and iconic film locations, and enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. A must for movie-loving families! Keen to stay for lunch? Enjoy their on site café, or book the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour + Lunch Combo.
After Hobbiton, continue to Hamilton and visit Hamilton Gardens: Discover 20+ themed gardens from around the world, including an Italian Renaissance Garden, a Tropical Garden, and a Tudor Garden—perfect for kids to explore and parents to enjoy.
Dinner at Made Hamilton: Head to MADE, a modern food hall with a great range of casual dining options.
Return to Auckland (approx. 2 hours) or overnight near the airport if flying next day.