21 Day South Island Family Holiday Package

Plan an unforgettable New Zealand family vacation with the 21 Day South Island Family Holiday Package. Travel at a relaxed pace and experience the child-friendly highlights of the island.

This New Zealand family vacation package includes a range of top-rated activities, from the Walter Peak Farm Experience to the Abel Tasman Cruise & Walk Day Trip.

We include family-style accommodation, activities suited for children of (almost) all ages, and a larger rental car in our New Zealand family vacation packages.

Read on for full details of the 21 Day South Island Family Holiday Package.

21 Day South Island Family Holiday Package | New Zealand Family Vacation

Day 1 Arrive Christchurch

Arrive in Christchurch, New Zealand’s Garden City. Collect your rental car from the airport, discover the city or relax in your accommodation.

Christchurch is a vibrant, energetic city where urban regeneration, creativity, and innovation thrive. Picture amazing street art, innovative projects, a booming hospitality scene and state-of-the-art architecture that is changing the way the city looks, feels and functions – all the while staying true to its heritage and traditional English feel.

Recommended activities include the Christchurch Gondola, Tramway, Punting on the Avon River and the Botanical Gardens Tour.

Stay 1 night in Christchurch.

Day 2 Lake Tekapo

Driving time Christchurch to Lake Tekapo 230 km / 143 miles, 3 hours

Depart Christchurch and travel south across the Canterbury Plains and inland towards the Southern Alps to reach Lake Tekapo, an amazing turquoise lake. Tekapo presents many world class attractions, from the famous Church of the Good Shepherd to the luxurious spa complex Tekapo Springs and of course Mt John Observatory.

In the afternoon, enjoy a spectacular scenic flightseeing tour of Mount Cook and Westland World Heritage National Parks. Explore the alpine wonderland of New Zealand’s highest mountains, mightiest alpine glaciers and lush coastal rainforest. View the turquoise glacial lakes, golden tussock lands & braided rivers of the Mackenzie basin, plus remote high country sheep stations. Highlights include Mount Cook, Tasman Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier & Fox Glacier! Every passenger has a window seat, and all aircraft have wings above for optimum viewing.

Stay 1 night in Lake Tekapo.

Day 3 Dunedin

Driving time Lake Tekapo to Dunedin 286 km / 177 miles, 3.5 hours

Continue your journey south, following a series of braided rivers to Oamaru. You may wish to stop in Oamaru, which is surrounded by stunning natural beauty and also features some of New Zealand’s best 19th century architecture. Further south you will come across the Moeraki Boulders, a series of unusually large and spherical boulders lying along a stretch of Koekohe Beach on the wave-cut Otago coast between Moeraki and Hampden.

After you have discovered the boulders, carry on to Dunedin, one of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the southern hemisphere. Dunedin offers a diverse range of experiences including the Speight’s Brewery, Larnach Castle and of course the stunning Otago Peninsula.

Stay 2 nights in Dunedin.

Day 4 Larnach Castle

Today, venture to Larnach Castle which is situated on the spectacular Otago Peninsula. This castle was built by William Larnach in 1871 offering scandalous and tragic stories, incredible tower views and a exquisite Victorian interiors complete this magical castle. 

The gardens at Larnach Castle have been rated by the New Zealand Gardens Trust as a Garden of International Significance. This garden makes up 7 acres of the grounds and with that in mind is well worth exploring! Enjoy the sheer beauty that has been put into this magical venue!

In the afternoon, you have the option to discover the Otago Peninsula on a wildlife cruise, to see the world’s only mainland nesting place of the Northern Royal Albatross. Along the way, you will get the chance to see fur seals, up to 20 species of rare ocean birds, and—if you’re lucky—penguins and dolphins. Or you can view the local penguin colony up close on an Argo tour

Day 5 Te Anau

Driving time Dunedin to Te Anau 290 km / 180 miles, 4 hours

Relax and take in the views of heartland New Zealand while you travel to Te Anau. Nestled on the edge of a lake, the picturesque township of Te Anau is the main visitor base for the glacier-carved wilderness that is Fiordland National Park.

While you relax in Te Anau, you may wish to visit Fiordland Cinema and watch Ata Whenua – Shadowland, which was filmed by helicopters flying over the remote reaches of Fiordland National Park. You could also visit the Department of Conservation visitor centre for displays on the natural wonders of the region. Take a stroll along the lakefront to the Wildlife Park, where you can view endangered native birds, or visit the nearby Lake Manapouri for even more impressive views.

Te Anau is known as the walking capital of New Zealand, so the hiking options are endless! Enjoy the walk to the top of Key Summit for stunning views over Fiordland National Park, take a full day to explore the Kepler Track, or stroll along the lakefront esplanade.

Stay 3 nights in Te Anau.

Day 6 Te Anau

Today, explore a mysterious underground world of rushing water before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glowworms. Your Te Anau Glowworm Cave adventure begins with a cruise across beautiful Lake Te Anau on board the catamaran Luminosa to the western side of the lake.

On arrival, there is time to view the interesting displays at Cavern House before your friendly guides accompany you underground in small groups. As you explore by path and small boat, your senses will be overwhelmed. In this mysterious underground world, discover fossils and rock formations, and view rushing waterfalls and whirlpools. Learn how the caves are still being carved out by the incredible and relentless power of nature before gliding through silent darkness to the glowworm grotto. The delicate incandescence of thousands of tiny glowworms is a magical sight!

Day 7 Te Anau > Doubtful Sound

Driving time Te Anau to Manapouri 21 km / 13 miles, 20 minutes

Doubtful Sound and the Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise is the next step up from Milford Sound! In Manapouri, board your luxury catamaran and cruise across picturesque Lake Manapouri before making a trip across Wilmot Pass, pausing along the way to experience the dense Fiordland rainforest and view Doubtful Sound glistening far below. 

In Doubtful Sound, you will board another catamaran for a three hour cruise through this pristine fiord. During the cruise, your knowledgeable and friendly nature guides will share with you their passion for the region through their commentary. They will answer questions, point out landmarks and provide you with information about the varied wildlife you may encounter, including dolphins, fur seals and the rare Fiordland crested penguin.

Day 8 Queenstown

Driving time Te Anau to Queenstown 174 km / 108 miles, 3 hours

Venture past Lake Wakatipu, a picturesque glacial lake. Queenstown awaits you, New Zealand’s adventure capital.

In the evening, relive the elegance of turn-of-the-century travel with a cruise aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw, the only coal fired passenger vessel still operating in the southern hemisphere. Step aboard – watch the stokers fuelling the fireboxes and hear the hiss of the steam engines working as the TSS Earnslaw takes you on a nostalgic cruise over beautiful Lake Wakatipu. Disembark at Walter Peak High Country Farm, where you will enjoy a stunning evening meal. An entertaining after-dinner farm show provides a glimpse into high country farming life. Then on your return cruise to Queenstown, relax with a drink from the bar or join a fun sing-along with the ship’s pianist and make a toast to a fantastic holiday!

Stay 4 nights in Queenstown.

Day 9 Queenstown

Today, join Nomad Safaris for their half-day heritage Skippers Canyon adventure that follows the rugged and once treacherous Skippers Road. The Skippers Canyon 4WD tour departs from Queenstown, heading out towards Coronet Peak.

Follow in the footsteps of many adventurers and discoverers as this old winding road brings you to the historic Skippers Bridge, which provides a stunning photo opportunity. After carefully negotiating the bridge, your tour continues into the historic township of Skippers. Though the town is long since abandoned, many original buildings still remain for you to explore. Indulge in morning tea at the Skippers Schoolhouse and immerse yourself in the history of this stunning place through photos and artefacts from the early days of this settlement. On the return journey, you will stop at Deep Creek, where you can turn your hand to a spot of gold panning. Some may also recognise spots along the Skippers Road as being featured in The Lord of The Rings.

Day 10 Queenstown

Explore Queenstown today, with the option to add on a must do Queenstown Activity to really make the most of it. Our top picks are Jet Boating, Scenic Helicopter Flights and Wine Tours.

There are many other family activities in Queenstown that you may like to try. At Thrill Zone in central Queenstown you can experience a Vortex 12D Motion Theatre, Laser Tag, Drift Karting and more. Another great family option is visiting the Below Zero Ice Bar where everything is carved from ice! Queenstown also offers many other family-friendly activities such as ice skating, mini golf, ten-pin bowling and the “Time Tripper” experience. “Time Tripper” is an immersive state-of-the-art animated show situated under Lake Wakatipu, that tells the Māori Legend of the Lake and the story of the creation of the Wakatipu region, starting 90 million years ago taking the viewer through to present day Queenstown.

Day 11 Queenstown

Relax in Queenstown, with the option to take a day trip to Arrowtown. You’ll be enchanted by Historic Arrowtown, a New Zealand treasure located 20 minutes from Queenstown. Arrowtown is charming and quirky – a delightful gold rush village nestled below the beautiful peaks that surround the sparkling Arrow River. The heart of its history is Buckingham Street, a procession of heritage buildings that stretches into a tree-lined avenue of tiny miner’s cottages. The buildings in this lovely precinct house shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants – many classy, most individual, not one from an international chain.

Day 12 Wanaka

Driving time Queenstown to Wanaka 70 km / 43 miles, 1 hour

Drive over the beautiful Crown Range, one of New Zealand’s highest alpine roads, and admire the vistas from fantastic viewing points. Be sure to stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel for a refreshment before your arrival into Wanaka.

Wanaka has the buzz of a genuine alpine town. With Mount Aspiring National Park located close by, it’s the perfect destination for exploring the Southern Alps.

Stay 2 nights in Wanaka.

Day 13 Wanaka

Relax and explore Wanaka. You may want to visit Puzzling World, Wanaka’s illusional attraction, or the National Toy and Transport Museum. Other options include strolling along one of Wanaka’s stunning walking tracks, relaxing on the lake’s edge or browsing through Wanaka’s boutique shops.

You could also visit Rippon Vineyard and Tasting Room to sample local wines. Or you could catch a film at Cinema Paradiso, Wanaka’s quirky local theatre.

Day 14 Franz Josef – Glacier Country

Driving time Wanaka to Franz Josef 285 km / 177 miles, 4 hours

Enjoy the journey up the West Coast to reach Franz Josef. There are many short walks and viewing points to take in along the Haast Pass Highway, which will help break up the journey—a scenic walk to the Blue Pools is highly recommended. Other points of interest along the way are Ship Cove and Bruce Bay. Continuing along the West Coast, you may like to visit Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier, where you can take a 20-minute walk (one-way) to the jetty, to admire the reflected views of the Southern Alps on the surface of the lake.

In the afternoon, you could add on a highly recommended scenic helicopter flight to view and land on Franz Josef Glacier.

Stay 1 night in Franz Josef.

Day 15 Hokitika

Driving time Franz Josef to Hokitika 136 km / 85 miles, 1.5 hours

Enjoy your journey along the West Coast to Hokitika, famous for its arts and crafts. Watch a masterpiece being crafted from gold, molten glass, paua or bone or carve your own creation from wood or jade (pounamu). Take in Hokitika’s natural beauty and enjoy its expansive beach. Alternatively, venture down one of the many walking and mountain biking tracks.

While in Hokitika, you may wish to make the scenic drive to Hokitika Gorge, where an impressive turquoise river flows through a narrow canyon, or Lake Kaniere, a beautiful lake nestled beneath the mountains.

You could also visit the National Kiwi Centre, where you will be able to see a rare kiwi; view New Zealand’s living dinosaur, the Tuatara; and participate in feeding the giant eels. Or make a drive north to Shantytown. Explore the heritage village, ride the steam train, try your hand at panning for gold, and take old-time styled photos.

Stay 1 night in Hokitika.

Day 16 Abel Tasman

Driving time Hokitika to Abel Tasman 359 km / 223 miles, 4.5 hours

Journey towards the Abel Tasman, an area renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, unmodified estuaries, long sunshine hours, and the world-famous Abel Tasman Coast Track. In the afternoon, relax on one of the many golden-sand beaches.

Stay 3 nights in Abel Tasman.

Day 17 Abel Tasman

Today, take a boat cruise into Abel Tasman National Park, where you can relax on the hot golden sand, enjoy a day walk, or simply remain aboard for a return boat cruise.

Soak in the natural beauty and enjoy! This trip allows you to explore sections of the Abel Tasman Coast Track; the boat will stop at scenic points along the way where you can get off and walk a section of the track. The boat will then collect you later in the day. You could also just pack a picnic lunch and beach towels and laze on the beach for the day.

Day 18 Abel Tasman

Make the most of Golden Bay. The region boasts golden beaches, alpine valleys and tranquil fishing rivers that share a close proximity with the sea. Soak up the breathtaking scenery, arts and crafts, and walking tracks.

You might like to add a must-do kayaking adventure to your package or experiencing the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. This track is the perfect way to explore the beauty of Nelson’s Abel Tasman National Park.

Day 19 Nelson

Driving time Abel Tasman to Nelson 65 km / 40 miles, 1 hour

Journey to Nelson, a seaside town enjoying New Zealand’s highest sunshine hours. Nelson is a creative paradise, with artists, galleries, local markets and gourmet cafés.

Explore Nelson today. You can walk the sun-drenched sands or take a sea kayaking tour around the coast and see a seal colony and little blue penguins bobbing in the water. Taste your way around the region by bicycle on Tasman’s Great Taste Trail or get your daily dose of adrenaline with a visit to one of the region’s world-class mountain bike parks.

The attractive walking mall at the heart of town is filled with galleries, gourmet cafés, and local shops. Visit the art studios, explore the craft markets, taste the delicious locally made artisan products and find something extraordinary to take home with you.

Stay 1 night in Nelson.

Day 20 Hanmer Springs

Driving time Nelson to Hanmer Springs 308 km / 191 miles, 3.5 hours

Travel on to Hanmer Springs. This year round holiday destination offers a variety of outdoor activities, cafés and the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa. Visitors have been travelling to bathe in the rejuvenating hot mineral pools for over 120 years! Relax in open-air thermal pools and de-stress with spa therapies.

Stay 2 nights in Hanmer Springs.

Day 21 Hanmer Springs

Today, experience the adrenaline rush of going 80 km per hour, skimming the river below with Thrillseekers Jet! Cut corners as turquoise snowmelt churns out behind you and experience 360° spins while you travel up the stunning Waiau Gorge.

Enjoy a family meal on your last evening in Hanmer Springs. Raise a glass to a fantastic New Zealand family vacation!

Day 22 Depart Christchurch

Driving time Hanmer Springs to Christchurch 134 km / 83 miles, 2 hours

Travel to Christchurch at your leisure, drop your rental car off at Christchurch Airport and depart Christchurch.

Plan a New Zealand Family Vacation

We offer a range of New Zealand family vacation packages. As you begin planning, you may wish to explore our other family holiday packages for inspiration.

Each New Zealand family vacation is fully customisable. In other words, you can change the inclusions, amend the schedule, or upgrade your accommodation to match your preference. In addition, we offer inclusions such as child safety seats and infant cots if required.

We know parents are often too busy to fit travel planning on top of a packed schedule. Our all-inclusive packages make it easy to plan a New Zealand family vacation.

Contact New Zealand Travel Organiser today to begin planning your exciting family holiday.