New Zealand’s best family holiday destinations pair one unforgettable day out with an easy base. Our picks: the Coromandel for Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove, Rotorua for geothermal walks and the luge, glow worms at Te Anau or Ōhiwa, and the Marlborough Sounds from Picton.
Quick pick: family holiday destinations in NZ
| Destination | Island | Kids love it for | Best time | Where to stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove | North | Digging a hot pool in the sand | December to March | Hahei Beach |
| Coromandel Town | North | Driving Creek Railway, water slides | December to March | Coromandel |
| Rotorua | North | Bubbling mud, the luge, hot pools | Year-round | Rotorua |
| Ōhiwa, Bay of Plenty | North | Glow worms and island tours | December to March | Ōhiwa |
| Waihi Beach | North | 9 km of sand, heated pool | December to March | Waihi Beach |
| Miranda and the Hauraki Coast | North | Hot mineral pool, flying fox | Year-round | Miranda |
| Marlborough Sounds | South | Ferries, bays and walks | December to March | Picton |
| Te Anau and Fiordland | South | Glow worm caves, Milford Sound | Year-round | Te Anau |
| Wānaka | South | The lake in summer, snow in winter | Summer and winter | Wānaka |
The Coromandel with kids: Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove
Hahei, Coromandel
Digging your own hot pool in the sand is a Kiwi rite of passage, and Cathedral Cove’s rock arch is one of the most famous views in the country.
- Best ages: All ages for Hot Water Beach; older kids for the Cathedral Cove walk or kayak trip.
- Best time to go: December to March. Dig at Hot Water Beach about two hours either side of low tide.
Three things to do with kids
- Dig a hot pool at Hot Water Beach (bring a spade or hire one near the beach).
- Paddle out with Cathedral Cove Kayaking.
- Walk to Mautohe Cathedral Cove (check track conditions first).
Where to stay: Tasman Holiday Parks – Hahei Beach has around 500 metres of beachfront and beachfront stays, plus two adults-only hot tubs.
Coromandel Town with kids
Coromandel Town, Coromandel
A narrow-gauge mountain railway, quirky water-powered games and a holiday park with water slides.
- Best ages: All ages.
- Best time to go: December to March for the beach; the railway runs year-round.
Three things to do with kids
- Ride the Driving Creek Railway.
- Play at The Waterworks.
- Spend an afternoon on the park’s water slides, then make your own pizza in the wood-fired oven.
Where to stay: Tasman Holiday Parks – Coromandel has a pool heated to around 27°C with water slides, a jump pad, pedal carts and a games room. Pet restrictions apply over the peak summer holidays.
Rotorua with kids: things to do
Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
Steaming vents, bubbling mud and a luge track down the hill. Rotorua is a science lesson kids actually enjoy.
- Best ages: All ages; the luge suits kids who meet the height rules.
- Best time to go: Year-round.
Three things to do with kids
- Walk through the free geothermal Kuirau Park, about a minute from the park.
- Ride the Skyline Rotorua gondola and luge, about ten minutes’ drive away.
- Soak in the park’s hot mineral pools.
Where to stay: Tasman Holiday Parks – Rotorua has hot mineral pools, hot tubs, a heated pool and an indoor playground.
Glow worms at Ōhiwa, Bay of Plenty
Ōhiwa, Bay of Plenty
Bush tracks, a historic pā site and glow worms lighting up as daylight fades, all a minute’s walk from the park.
- Best ages: All ages, with older kids keen for the bike trails.
- Best time to go: December to March.
Three things to do with kids
- Look for glow worms at dusk in Onekawa Te Mawhai Regional Park.
- Take a guided tour to Moutohorā (Whale Island), about 35 minutes’ drive away.
- Ride a section of the Motu Trails.
Where to stay: Tasman Holiday Parks – Ōhiwa has a heated pool, jump pad and pedal carts.
Waihi Beach with kids
Waihi Beach, Bay of Plenty
Nine kilometres of sand, and a heated pool for when the sea’s too cold.
- Best ages: All ages.
- Best time to go: December to March.
Three things to do with kids
- Spend the morning on the beach.
- Swim in the park’s 25-metre heated pool and ride the water slide.
- Burn off energy in the indoor playground or on the pedal carts.
Where to stay: Tasman Holiday Parks – Waihi Beach has a pool heated to around 28°C with a water slide and a shallow kids’ area.
Miranda and the Hauraki Coast with kids
Miranda, Hauraki Coast
A hot mineral pool open late, a flying fox and an easy drive from Auckland.
- Best ages: All ages.
- Best time to go: Year-round. The hot pool makes winter weekends work too.
Three things to do with kids
- Soak in the heated mineral pool (around 38°C). Families can swim until 8pm.
- Fly through the air on the flying fox.
- Wander the Enchanted Forest.
Where to stay: Tasman Holiday Parks – Miranda is about an hour from Auckland, with a kids’ pool, pump track and a fenced off-leash dog area.
Picton and the Marlborough Sounds with kids
Picton, Marlborough
Calm bays, boat trips and walking tracks, right where the ferry comes in.
- Best ages: All ages; older kids for longer walks.
- Best time to go: December to March.
Three things to do with kids
- Walk a section of the Queen Charlotte Track.
- Explore the Marlborough Sounds by boat.
- Visit the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim, about 30 minutes away.
Where to stay: Tasman Holiday Parks – Picton is close to the ferry terminal, with a solar-heated pool (closed over winter) and a spa pool.
Te Anau glow worms and Milford Sound with kids
Te Anau, Fiordland
A boat ride into a glow worm grotto, and the fiords of Milford Sound a day trip away.
- Best ages: Five and up for the glow worm caves and Milford Sound cruises.
- Best time to go: Year-round.
Three things to do with kids
- Visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves.
- Try a shorter walk on the Kepler Track.
- Make Milford Sound your big day out.
Where to stay: Tasman Holiday Parks – Te Anau is on the shores of Lake Te Anau, with hot tubs, a jump pad and pedal carts.
Wānaka with kids
Wānaka, Otago
A lake for paddling in summer, ski fields in winter and a cosy cinema in town.
- Best ages: All ages.
- Best time to go: December to March for the lake, July to September for snow.
Three things to do with kids
- Paddle Lake Wānaka.
- Ski or snowboard at Cardrona in winter.
- Catch a film at Cinema Paradiso.
Where to stay: Tasman Holiday Parks – Wānaka has private hot tubs, a heated spa and a traditional sauna, plus ski storage in winter.
How to plan a family holiday in NZ
- Pick one big day out per stop and keep the rest simple.
- Book glow worm tours, Milford Sound cruises and the Cook Strait ferry ahead in the school holidays.
- Check the tide times before Hot Water Beach.
- Choose a park with a heated pool or indoor playground for wet days.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best family holiday destinations in NZ?
Our picks are the Coromandel (Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove), Rotorua, glow worms at Te Anau and Ōhiwa, Waihi Beach, and the Marlborough Sounds from Picton.
When can you dig a hot pool at Hot Water Beach?
About two hours either side of low tide. Bring a spade or hire one near the beach. Tasman Holiday Parks – Hahei Beach is the closest park.
Where can kids see glow worms in NZ?
Visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves in Fiordland, or look for glow worms at dusk in Onekawa Te Mawhai Regional Park, a minute’s walk from Tasman Holiday Parks – Ōhiwa.
What are the best things to do in Rotorua with kids?
Walk through the free Kuirau Park geothermal reserve, ride the Skyline Rotorua gondola and luge, and soak in the hot mineral pools at Tasman Holiday Parks – Rotorua.
Which holiday park is closest to Cathedral Cove?
Tasman Holiday Parks – Hahei Beach. You can walk to Mautohe Cathedral Cove, kayak there with Cathedral Cove Kayaking, or visit Hot Water Beach nearby.
How do you plan a family holiday in NZ on a budget?
Travel outside school holidays if you can, stay in a cabin with a kitchen, and lean on free things to do like beaches, bush walks and Kuirau Park. Plan one paid day out per stop.
