One look at a globe makes it abundantly clear simply how far New Zealand actually is from the U.S.
Greater than 7,000 miles away from our residence in Houston, the island nation has lengthy attracted outdoorsy varieties eager on exploring its stunning mountains, fjords, volcanoes and seashores.
So, when my household of 4 determined to plan a March journey round our work and college schedules, we knew we had been in for a grand journey that we would not overlook anytime quickly. Positive, there could be lengthy flights concerned, plus a packed itinerary to maximise our restricted time on this far-flung vacation spot, however we had been up for the problem.
Recognizing we might solely have 10 days on the bottom, we determined to largely stick close to the cities and fly between the completely different areas we visited, which included Wellington, Queenstown and Auckland.
Regardless of our incapability to enterprise to extra distant components of the nation like many guests do, we nonetheless managed to expertise a number of the greatest issues to do in New Zealand as a household. Nevertheless, we discovered a number of classes and made a mistake or two alongside the best way.
When you’re planning a household journey to New Zealand — or hope to someday — listed here are seven issues to bear in mind, plus a number of suggestions for 3 of New Zealand’s hottest cities to go to.
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The present change fee makes issues fairly inexpensive
The change fee from U.S. {dollars} to New Zealand {dollars} favors American vacationers … at the least, in the interim. On the time of writing, $1 equals NZ$1.62, which signifies that the NZ$100 exercise or meal you get pleasure from will value you about $62.
It isn’t an all-time greatest change fee for Individuals, however it’s higher than it has been for a lot of the final twenty years, making every part from Uber rides to meals, accommodations and actions much more inexpensive. So, should you’re sticking to a good finances, you might need to goal to go to sooner relatively than later.
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Professional tip: Make sure to pay in New Zealand {dollars} when utilizing a bank card with no international transaction charges to keep away from any pointless prices. Your financial institution will deal with the conversion to U.S. {dollars}.
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You do not (often) must tip
Tipping service employees is usually not anticipated in New Zealand since staff within the nation are typically paid a residing wage. As somebody who could be very used to U.S. tipping tradition, I actually discovered this to be extremely refreshing.
Again residence, a $15 breakfast would set me again about $20 by the point gratuities are factored in. However in New Zealand, a NZ$15 breakfast value me about $9 due to the change fee and the no-tipping coverage.
We did expertise some exceptions to this rule whereas in Auckland. There, a number of eating places displayed indicators encouraging tipping.
Nevertheless, in Queenstown and Wellington, we did not must consider ideas when calculating our each day bills for consuming out and actions. I might add a few {dollars} to Uber rides, however we in any other case did not tip.
Bank cards are broadly accepted
Not like some locations the place it is nonetheless greatest to carry money, New Zealand is simple to go to with solely a bank card. That is as a result of bank cards are broadly (and nearly universally) accepted. Most U.S.-based bank cards would require a signature each time you swipe, however they work simply advantageous.
That mentioned, a 2% bank card utilization charge is fairly frequent, so be ready for that trade-off should you determine to lean on playing cards greater than money to your purchases.
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Chances are you’ll not want a automobile rental to get round
We had deliberate to lease a automobile in a number of New Zealand locations we visited, however after the primary couple of days in Wellington, it turned clear that that would not be essential.
Naturally, you will want a automobile rental should you determine to plan a highway journey or spend a number of time exploring smaller areas, however since we had been there for a restricted period of time and spent most of our time in and round cities, Ubers made probably the most sense for us.
To place numbers to it, throughout our 10 days in New Zealand, we took a complete of 15 Uber rides, with the typical value per trip coming in at $14.59. That whole included a number of airport journeys and our longer rides whereas in Queenstown, as we stayed a bit exterior of city on the Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa.
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Hilton Queenstown. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Know, although, that Uber automobiles are usually maxed out at 5 individuals, together with the driving force. Most of our rides had been tight squeezes for the 4 of us because of the prevalence of compact automobiles. So, should you want more room, a automobile rental could also be one of the simplest ways to go.
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Taxis value rather more than Uber
Whereas we largely relied on Uber to get from level A to level B in New Zealand, we grabbed taxis a handful of instances. Each single time we used a taxi, our pockets instantly regretted that alternative.
Throughout our go to, cab rides had been constantly two to a few instances as costly as Ubers. So, until you really want the comfort of that cab idling on the curb, fireplace up the Uber app and save your self some huge cash within the course of.
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The climate is in cost
Whereas I recommend reserving a few of your must-do actions earlier than the journey to make sure availability and doubtlessly profit from an advance-booking low cost, preserve some flexibility in your schedule because the climate in New Zealand — regardless of the place you might be — can change abruptly and dramatically.
In Queenstown, for instance, you will need to e book your outside adventures on the primary day or two of your keep so you have got buffer days to modify them to within the occasion of rain getting in the best way. Even have some wet day actions in thoughts so you do not waste treasured time in New Zealand simply sitting round ready for sunny skies.
For our journey, we saved museum visits and indoor mountaineering for these days when the skies appeared ominous. After all, when the solar does return, you will need to be certain you are able to profit from it.
For example, whereas we had deliberate to save lots of the Wellington Cable Automobile and botanical gardens for one explicit day, we improvised and added that tour to our schedule one sunny afternoon as the following day’s forecast appeared prefer it’d be a washout. Positive, we had been a little bit drained since that ended up being a very full day, however we knew that that tour would not have been practically as fulfilling within the rain.
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Most actions have a household low cost
Earlier than buying particular person tickets to any exercise in New Zealand, analysis whether or not a household bundle consists of grownup and baby tickets at a bundled low cost. Virtually each exercise we did was cheaper if we booked through the household plan relatively than pricing out the tickets individually.
For instance, the Shotover Jet we did in Queenstown prices NZ$139 ($86) for adults and NZ$77 ($48) for youngsters, however as a substitute of a household of 4 costing NZ$432 ($267), you will pay simply NZ$355 ($220) when choosing the household bundle.
One other instance of that is the Skyline Queenstown gondola, which prices NZ$46 ($28) for adults and NZ$33 ($20) for youngsters. As an alternative of paying NZ$158 ($98) for a household of 4, select the household plan low cost for NZ$133 ($82).
Planning a little bit upfront additionally has its monetary benefits. For instance, the zip line tour we did in Queenstown has a 15% low cost should you e book on-line at the least three days upfront. Most actions help you change your plans up till 24 hours earlier than your tour, so it might probably make sense to e book forward however preserve some flexibility due to these frequent insurance policies.
Issues to do in Auckland with a household
Whereas the chances are excessive that your journey plans will take you thru Auckland when you’re in New Zealand, I would advise in opposition to spending too many nights there. I’ve nothing in opposition to Auckland, however spending time in a big metropolis is difficult to justify when there are such a lot of awe-inspiring landscapes and locations to discover.
Waiheke Island
Must you spend a little bit time within the Auckland space, I extremely suggest taking a 30-minute ferry trip to Waiheke Island, which is filled with wineries and seashores and has a laid-back island vibe. An added bonus: It is cheap and straightforward to discover by bus.
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SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
To buy bus tickets for getting across the island, merely cease by the bus kiosk on the Waiheke Island ferry terminal. Playing cards are loaded with an quantity of your selecting primarily based on the variety of instances you anticipate to get on and off the bus.
Every bus trip will value round $1, so a full day on the island would possible require $5 to $6 per card, per particular person.
Hobbiton Film Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves
For us, no go to to Auckland could be full with out an tour to the Hobbiton Film Set to view the place the hobbits “lived” in “The Lord of the Rings” film trilogy, plus a trek via the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Whereas these locations are a number of hours exterior town, each are phenomenal if you wish to expertise a mixture of pure and human-made wonders.
We booked a 12-hour guided tour to see each and journey by bus. It was an extended day, but it surely was in the end well worth the payoff as a “Lord of the Rings”-loving household. When you could not care much less in regards to the film, the journey might not be value it, although it was unquestionably a stupendous a part of the nation.
Images weren’t allowed on the glowworm caves, however belief me: They had been not like something I would ever seen. The fluorescent blue ceiling of worms you float beneath throughout your guided boat trip via the caves created a peaceable ambiance that jogged my memory of a Disney trip.
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The place to remain in Auckland
Though there are a number of factors accommodations in Auckland, top-of-the-line is the luxurious Park Hyatt Auckland, which is walkable to the ferry terminal and comparatively inexpensive by Park Hyatt requirements. A Class 5 Hyatt property, room charges vary between 17,000 and 23,000 World of Hyatt factors per night time. I wholeheartedly suggest it for each its fabulous infinity pool and its spacious and trendy rooms.
When you occur to make use of a Hyatt Globalist suite improve or factors to safe a set (as we did), know that the 764-square-foot Harbour Suite is a improbable deal with. Providing the identical format because the Park Suite (simply with out the harbor view), the Harbour Suite was attractive and purposeful, with an unlimited rest room, an enormous residing area and a separate sleeping space. The considerate design allowed us to have a rollaway mattress for our teen in the lounge, a desk to eat dinner at and loads of area for all our jackets, sneakers, baggage, backpacks and extra so we may simply keep organized.
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Park Hyatt Auckland. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
For the reason that occupancy restrict for rooms and suites right here is three individuals, know that the majority households might want to e book a connecting room. We reserved ours with money through the American Categorical Wonderful Accommodations + Resorts program so we may use the annual $200 resort credit score we nonetheless had on my Platinum Card® from American Categorical. You too can reserve connecting rooms with World of Hyatt factors, however keep in mind that solely normal connecting rooms (which means ones that do not hook up with suites) are bookable this fashion.
Issues to do in Queenstown with a household
Whereas it is true that Queenstown is nice for significantly adventurous actions, akin to paragliding, bungee leaping and skydiving, you do not have to be fairly that excessive to have a good time on the South Island.
Despite the fact that free-falling wasn’t on our household’s agenda this journey — consider it or not, even younger kids can take part in paragliding and skydiving right here as soon as the burden necessities have been met, which begin round 44 kilos for paragliding — we nonetheless had superb adventures in Queenstown that I would absolutely suggest.
Shotover Jet
To begin, I can’t recommend the Shotover Jet — a fast-paced boat trip via the Shotover Canyons, situated a few 10-minute shuttle trip exterior of city — sufficient. This twin-engine boat does 360-degree turns, zooms across the canyon in only a few inches of water and goes over 50 mph.
We had smiles (typically accompanied by water splashes) plastered on our faces your entire time.
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Onsen Sizzling Swimming pools
If you wish to calm down after an exhilarating trip via the canyons, go to the Onsen Sizzling Swimming pools, which overlook the identical river the Shotover Jet boats use. Right here, you have got entry to a non-public sizzling tub, which may accommodate as much as 4 individuals, for an hour. Youngsters are allowed till 4 p.m. each day.
Whereas the views from the new tub are greater than well worth the charge, know that your rental additionally comes with a drink and snack per particular person. Choices embody juice, wine, beer, chocolate and ice cream, so there’s lots for each adults and youngsters.
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Skyline Queenstown
A go to to Queenstown ought to, with out query, embody a trip on the Skyline Queenstown gondola. You may not solely get to soak up breathtaking mountain and lake views, however you will even have the prospect to get pleasure from a number of laps on the luge observe.
Packages that embody the luge, gondola and even lunch or dinner can be found. There are household packages that bundle all these actions with varied numbers of luge rides, too, to make the expertise barely cheaper. The household of 4 bundle that features the gondola trip, three luge rides per particular person and a buffet dinner got here to NZ$421 ($261).
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Whereas the buffet was definitely respectable, it was only a buffet, so should you’re strapped for money, contemplate a bundle that doesn’t embody that meal and as a substitute eat on the town at a spot like Fergburger, the place mouthwatering burgers begin round NZ$16 ($10). My household liked the gondola and luge, although, making it one in all our favourite components of our journey. The adults in our group had been happy after three luge rides, whereas the children had been anticipating a few additional rounds.
Ziptrek Ecotours
For an extra exercise so as to add to your gondola and luge day, e book an outing with Ziptrek. Along with attending to get pleasure from varied zip strains, your loved ones will study a bit about New Zealand’s conservation efforts.
We did the bundle with two zip strains and a drop, which ended up being the right household exercise, because it was far more thrill-inducing than we had anticipated.
The place to remain in Queenstown
You may discover a number of lodging choices within the coronary heart of Queenstown. Nevertheless, we selected to remain on the Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa so we may e book a family-friendly, two-bedroom suite.
Regardless of the resort’s inside feeling dated and overdue for renovations, we completely loved our keep. The extra eliminated location did imply we needed to take an Uber or water taxi to city every day, however the sweeping lake and mountain views from the property greater than made up for the slight inconvenience.
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Hilton Queenstown. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Issues to do in Wellington with a household
Wellington was the shock hit of our household journey to New Zealand. We anticipated to love it, however we did not understand how a lot we might like it.
Town was very compact, making it straightforward for our household to get round and check out completely different actions with out committing a full day to at least one journey.
Wellington Cable Automobile
When you attain the highest, you will discover the doorway to the free botanical backyard. The playground — with a enjoyable zip line — can also be only a five- to 10-minute stroll from there, so do not skip that when you have your youngsters alongside for the trip.
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Wellington Museum and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
The Wellington and Te Papa museums are stable choices for some instructional (however enjoyable) actions if you want a break from New Zealand’s unpredictable climate. Each accessible from nearly wherever on the town, the museums are free to go to, although a donation is usually recommended.
The Te Papa Museum may simply fill at the least a half day for households or adults. Children will possible admire the home that simulates earthquakes, the “Moana” references and the animal reveals, whereas adults should not miss the “Gallipoli: The Scale of Our Struggle” exhibit.
Wētā Workshop
In case your group consists of film buffs, particularly followers of “The Lord of the Rings,” make sure to try Wētā Workshop, the place lots of the movie business’s costumes, prosthetics, props and extra are created. Wētā Workshop can also be chargeable for the huge troopers you will see within the “Gallipoli: The Scale of Our Struggle” exhibit on the Te Papa Museum.
You may go to the free small museum and present store or e book one of many 90-minute excursions. Ought to the tour be your choice, make sure to e book it nicely upfront, because it incessantly sells out.
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Fergs
With areas in each Wellington and Auckland, Fergs is a perfect spot to spend a number of hours on a wet day.
In Wellington, you will discover the indoor mountaineering venue by the waterfront. It has a number of climbing areas for varied ages and skills.
Admission lasts all day, so you can burn off some power within the morning and return within the afternoon, making it attainable to time your go to across the climate on any given day.
Wellington Zoo
On a sunny day, head to the Wellington Zoo, which is only a few minutes away by automobile from the middle of city. It has some enjoyable reveals starting from roaming wallabies to tigers, giraffes and pink pandas.
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Like Wellington itself, the zoo was clear, glad, fascinating and enormous sufficient to be partaking whereas nonetheless sufficiently small to be manageable for a day.
Cuba Avenue
Whether or not you crave a main photo-op or a improbable meal, Cuba Avenue should not be missed. The realm is residence to a photo-friendly rainbow-painted road, plus a wide range of tasty eateries serving every part from Malaysian fare to handmade pasta.
The place to remain in Wellington
If you wish to use factors for lodging in Wellington, contemplate the InterContinental Wellington and/or the DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington. Each sit in nice areas and permit households of 4 to share one normal room if desired, a rarity in some components of New Zealand.
Backside line
Whereas my household loves closer-to-home getaways akin to Disney World and Caribbean cruises, New Zealand simply ranks as one in all our favourite household journeys of all time.
It might sound formidable to take your loved ones to the opposite aspect of the world, however should you’re prepared to take that leap of religion and provides it a go, I can guarantee you you will not remorse it. You may be rewarded with jaw-dropping surroundings you may barely consider is actual, interactions with a number of the friendliest individuals round, a lot of adventurous actions, superb espresso and plentiful playgrounds, amongst different highlights.
Better of all, you will make recollections that may final a lifetime — simply as I do know mine will.
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