Luxury Family Travel in New Zealand: 5 Best Resorts for Families
Beautiful New Zealand is the perfect destination for luxury family travel! Abundant with jaw-dropping natural beauty, incredible outdoor activities, and terrific wines, New Zealand is perfect for adrenaline junkies, foodies, and a wide range of travelers in between. You’ll be sure to find activities for the whole family to enjoy and have the experience of a lifetime.
These are the top 5 New Zealand resorts for families, curated by our travel specialists:
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers
Hawke’s Bay, North Island
Located in beautiful Hawke’s Bay, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers offers an incredible stay for guests of all ages! With family suites, a dedicated kids’ menu, and attentive staff to curate your entire stay, the whole family will love this luxurious lodge. Cape Kidnappers is world-renowned for its stunning links golf course, but there are also plenty of outdoor activities to keep everyone entertained. A highlight for the little ones is the sheep shearing demonstration and watching sheepdogs in action on the working farm!
Annandale
Akaroa, South Island
Looking for a place to unplug and escape the world with the family? Welcome to the ultimate luxury getaway: Annandale. This private world of rolling farmland, open skies, and the sparkling waters of the Pacific is home to 4 distinct luxury villas that are perfect for families.
Enjoy hiking or biking through the serene landscapes (the staff will even pack a gourmet picnic basket for you!), watch demonstrations on the working sheep farm, fish the nearby rivers with a local guide, and enjoy cooking classes with the onsite chef. In the sheltered, turquoise waters of Pigeon Bay, you can see New Zealand wildlife including friendly Hector’s dolphins, fur seals, blue penguins, and bird colonies; explore by kayak or Annadale’s powerboat for a fun family adventure!
Blanket Bay
Glenorchy, South Island
Are you an adventurous family looking for a great getaway? Let’s talk about Blanket Bay Lodge. Nestled amidst the rugged snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Blanket Bay is perfect for families with older children (ages 10 and over). Discover fly-fishing, heli-skiing, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, and so much more! Approximately 45 minutes away is Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand, where you’ll find endless family-friendly experiences.
Hapuku Lodge + Treehouses
Kaikoura, South Island
With its beautiful setting, spacious and elegant rooms, and friendly staff, Hapuku is one of our favorite lodges in all of New Zealand! Kids and parents alike will have a blast swimming with dusky dolphins in Kaikoura, which love to jump, dive, and twirl around people. You can also enjoy surfing, hiking, biking, and whale watching. Back in your room, relax with breathtaking views of the mountains, ocean, and the red deer farm on property.
Wharekauhau Lodge
Wairarapa, North Island
Want something truly off the beaten path? Wharekauhau is about 3 hours from Wellington, located on Palliser Bay with its beautiful black sand beaches. With 3,000 acres of private land including ancient forests, peaceful lakes, rivers, and a wild and rugged coast, Wharekauhau is a natural playground just waiting to be explored! Enjoy, hiking, mountain biking, and ATV tours; visit a fur seal colony; or tour the sheep farm. Parents will love the renowned golf course, heavenly spa, and gourmet meals paired with delicious wines.
Ready to start planning your family vacation to New Zealand? Down Under Endeavours will handcraft the ultimate itinerary for the entire family! Browse our sample packages or give us a call at (888) 229-0082 to get started.