Autumn is an ideal time to be travelling around New Zealand with the family. Fewer people, awesome travel deals, and not to mention the most settled weather of the whole year!
If you are needing some inspiration to plan your next family getaway this autumn, here are some suggestions of amazing family friendly locations and activities, in both the North and South Islands to get you started.
Ranfurly – Central Otago
Many regions in New Zealand boast spectacular colours in Autumn, and Central Otago is one of them. Make the most of the crisp clear days throughout April and May and experience the many cycle trails the region has on offer. The most popular being the famous Otago Central Rail Trail, which is vehicle free and has a gentle gradient, making it suitable for young and old.
Another stunning region to visit in Autumn is South Canterbury with its rivers, beaches, forests and waterfalls waiting to be explored.
Just south of Christchurch, Rakaia River Holiday Park is located by the Rakaia River – home of NZ’s best salmon fishing! Rakaia offers a peaceful atmosphere, with so much to do only a short drive away. Enjoy a number of fantastic nature walks and bike trails, or partake in a game or two of golf at one of the 5 nearby golf courses. Rakaia River Holiday Park is pet friendly and has a range of accommodation options to choose from, making it the ideal base for your stay.
Take time to enjoy the pretty and charming boutique village Geraldine; home to art galleries, cafes, gourmet local produce, brewery, and markets. The Farmyard Holiday Park, just 4km south of Geraldine, is a family destination itself. The park is home to a fabulous range of animals from wallaby’s, donkeys, alpacas, llamas, goats, kune kune pigs, highland cattle, cows, sheep to guinea pigs, rabbits, ducks, chickens, possum, peacocks, turkeys and even a turtle waiting to welcome you at reception! If you are travelling in the term break, the kids won’t want to miss out on a free donkey ride on offer at the park during the school holidays. The park offers a choice of accommodation for all budgets, including tent sites, private and sheltered powered sites, furnished cabins and self-contained units.
If you’d rather be close to the sea and enjoying the warmer temperatures while they last, the North Island is the place to be.
Photo: Matt Crawford
Coromandel is one of New Zealand’s most popular holiday destinations and there are plenty of options to keep the family entertained and busy during an autumn holiday! The crowds have thinned out and it is the perfect time to explore the Coromandel’s gems. The kids will love digging their own personal hot tub hole in the sand at Hot Water Beach and seeing the Underwater World of Cathedral Cove through a glass-bottom boat to spot stingrays, crayfish or octopus.
Need a place to stay? Miranda Holiday Park is located on the scenic Auckland/Coromandel Pacific Coast Highway and Seabird Coast in Miranda. The park is ideal for families, providing a safe, relaxing, family-friendly environment. Featuring its very own thermal mineral pools for guests, Miranda Holiday Park will provide a relaxing place to stay.
If you’re feeling adventurous, head to Taranaki and take the kids for a walk on a volcano! Egmont National Park, with more than 200km of trails, has several short walk options from 45 minutes to 3 hours return, ideal for kids, some offering stunning views of Mt Taranaki.
If you prefer something a little less physical, plan a visit to Brooklands Zoo, located in New Plymouth. This free zoo is home to a diverse variety of species including farmyard animals, reptiles and amphibians, meerkats, Bolivian squirrel monkeys, capuchins and cotton-top tamarins as well as a selection of colourful birds. Children (and grown-ups) will enjoy learning how they can help animals in the wild while visiting.
Fitzroy Beach – Taranaki
Whether you want to spend one night or a week in the Taranaki region, Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park is a beautiful beachfront campground and a paradise for kids with a jumping pillow, a trampoline and a playground! This park has a range of accommodation to suit all needs and budgets.
Or if you’d like somewhere a bit further from town, Urenui Beach Camp is situated 30 minutes north of New Plymouth and located within the unique Urenui Domain. This park has plenty of room for your family tent and all your camping gear.
Make the most of the settled, warmer weather this year, take the family camping and get the kids out exploring New Zealand’s great outdoors!
To start planning your Autumn Family Holiday and book your accommodation, visit www.familyparks.co.nz
