The South Island of New Zealand is far underrated in my opinion. As an American, I feel as though it is our best kept secret. When people ask us what is our favorite country that we’ve traveled to so far, I respond immediately with “New Zealand”. Depite its distance from the States, I believe the journey is worth it. New Zealand is pure, beautiful, peaceful and has about every type of terrain you could hope for. From white-capped mountain peaks to majestic fjords, the South Island has it all. After visiting once as a couple, we had to come back as a growing family. New Zealand is the perfect getaway for a family roadtrip as there is so much to do and take in. Planning a road trip to the South Island, New Zealand with a toddler doesn’t have to be stressful. Here, we share our 10 Day South Island itinerary, tips of traveling with a toddler and more! Read on if you plan to visit this magical island. Feel free to refer back to our original 6 Day road trip South Island, NZ road trip post and see our YouTube video below. This post is very thorough, so please use our Table of Contents as needed.
Table of Contents
Why We Choose the South Island?
The South Island of New Zealand holds a special place in our hearts. We visited shortly after getting married and fell in love with the country (read about our New Zealand road trip here). There’s nowhere in the world that we have felt more at peace, in awe of the surrounding landscapes, and able to escape it all. The calmness of the South Island is what has always drawn us back. Despite its peacefulness, the capital Queenstown is well known amongst adventure-junkies. There is so much to do from incredibly scenic hikes, exploring the fjords, bungee jumping, skiing river rafting, and more. Each seasons holds its own unique adventures. Just remember, New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere and has opposite seasons as North America!
With so much to do and see on the South Island, we felt that a second trip with our toddler, Maya, was much needed. After Covid, New Zealand finally opened its borders and we couldn’t resisted going back after 3 years. So, we paired the trip with a visit to Fiji for some adventure and relaxation! Planning a roadtrip to New Zealand with a toddler is fairly simple and we will share our itinerary and tips below.
When to Visit New Zealand with a Toddler
After visiting New Zealand twice now (once in winter and once in fall), I would say it depends on what you want to experience. Winter was significantly cooler and I think the hikes would have been challenging with a toddler. I would recommend Spring or Fall for better temperatures, as your child will be more comfortable. However, seeing snowcapped mountains made the South Island even more magical. So if you’re family is used to winter hiking, its certainly doable. We had visited in late August and only the tops of the mountains were snowy.
New Zealand with a Toddler (The Flight)
I’m going to preface with the fact that we had the worst flight path ever. This was because we moved flights around after finding out that New Zealand opened its borders. So, we couldn’t get out of our flight to Fiji. Our flight below is not recommended:
TPA -> LAX -> Fiji -> Auckland -> Queenstown
Ultimately, you want to end up in Queenstown. Christchurch is an option too, but it’s on the other side of the island and the journey is long. We prefer to start in Queenstown and either fly out of Christchurch or just stay in the western region and fly out of Queenstown again.
That being said, Maya was so incredible on all flights. With an 18 months old and being pregnant, I was dreading this haul. However, we stated overnight in LA and made the most of it. The trip ended up being great and Maya slept on almost every flight (Maya’s a little trooper!). If traveling from the US, your options are to fly to Auckland directly from LAX, San Francisco, Houston, Seattle, or New York. Hopefully, there will be more nonstop US flight paths eventually! Currently, there are no nonstop flights to Queesnstown outside of the Australia and Oceania region. Use www.flightconnections.com to find your most direct route. I use this for every trip I plan!
Where to Stay
Visiting New Zealand with a toddler can make it challenging to decide between a motorhome and hotel. However, both times we’ve visited the South Island, we rented a motorhome from Maui Motorhomes in Queenstown. We felt that it was the best way to explore the island in a short amount of time. Our itinerary included staying a night or two in a hotel (much needed after the long travel days) followed by 5 days in the camper. We’ve stayed at both the Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa and The Rees Hotel. Both were perfect and in ideal locations. Although, our time at the Hilton was short, so I can not attest to its greatness other than the fresh, warm cookie that we received on arrival 😋 The Rees Hotel, however, was absolutely fantastic. From stunning views to excellent service, we truly enjoyed our stay. Both are wonderful options to start your road trip off comfortable.
Camp Sites
I would highly recommend booking your camp sites for the motorhome/camper in advanced. Some of the more popular ones such as Milford Sound Lodge and Mount Cook may fill up quickly. I would say they ran about $30 USD per night on average when we visited. Check out the CamperMate app for info on each camp site! I found it extremely helpful in planning our road trip.
Pro Tip: If you book in advance, you’ll typically have the option to request spots with a better view.
Maui Motorhomes
To start, we’ve had great experiences with Maui Motorhomes. As newbies to the camper lifestyle, I felt the vehicle was simple to operate and locate all of the switches and parts. The staff did a thorough job answering all questions and showing us areas to avoid on the map. The van we got for two adults and one infant was the same as when we were riding solo. The 4 Berth Beach van was the perfect size for our little family. Maya slept in the lower bed nestled in between the two of us.
Motorhomes tips for newbies
-
-
Motorhomes/Campervan can be rented from Queenstown or Christchurch
-
You can have different pick up/drop off locations
-
Rent a vehicle less than a year old for a small fee
-
There is no free camping allowed in NZ. You must stay at a campsite and pay a fee
-
Keep an eye out for earthquake and avalanche warnings prior to leaving
-
Find any road/tunnel closures here (especially for the road to Milford Sound)
-
The toilet system must be emptied when nearing full, so try to avoid using yours and stop for public toilets when possible
-
We used showers and toilets at campsites instead of ours when possible
-
The motorhome must be on or plugged in to have power inside the living space. One night in Mount Cook, there were no outlets and we had to sleep with no heat. It was really cold in the winter!
-
Staying in a motorhome with a Toddler
Sleeping with a Toddler
Logistically, you need to consider your child and their adaptability when planning a road trip. If you are planning on renting a motorhome and sleeping in it, this is especially important. Maya was 18 months at the time of this trip. We decided to cosleep with her in the bottom bunk. It was an extremely closed off part of the vehicle and there was not much room for her to wander. Most nights, Maya slept on the inside of the mattress and we slept on the outside so there was no risk of her rolling off. If this were to happen, it is a very small drop off. I would not over concern yourself with this.
One strong point is that Gregg and I are not tall people and we were definitely a bit crammed. We made it work for 5 nights in the vehicle, but do not expect to sleep comfortably. The road trip is an experience. Treat yourself and save the luxury hotels for the tail ends of the trip.
Car Seat Situation
The seating situation in the motorhome is a bit unusual. There are two front seats with a small entrance to the living space. The seats in the kitchen are where you can buckle in a car seat. This separation is nice for sleep time, but less than ideal when interacting. There were many times one of us had to accompany Maya in the back.
Pro: there is a curtain to separate the front seats. We found this handy when driving late at night and giving Maya some “peace and quiet”. Whatever that translates to with the loudness LOL.
Con: It gets chilly in the back if the curtain is shut as you have to use a manual heater. Also, it is loud as $@!% when you are driving on bumpy roads with dishes clanking in the cupboards.
Despite some of the discomforts, we would still recommend the motorhome lifestyle for this trip. You have to do it at least once in your lifetime! It is best when your children are not old enough to complain after experiencing the luxuries of a hotel 🙂
How Long to Visit the South Island
New Zealand is one of those places that you’ll never feel satisfied leaving. Despite the size of the South Island, there’s no way you can explore all the land has to offer in one or two weeks. That being said, I think one week is a solid amount of time to explore some of the best locations. Both times we’ve visited, we have only gone for one week. Each trip has been accompanied with another island because the flight out to Oceania is long and we want to maximize our time. Our itinerary here is one week long, but you certainly could spend more time in each location to make it two weeks. If it were up to me, I would love to spend one month in New Zealand! 😬
Our Google Maps South Island Destinations
See our favorite locations on the South Island, New Zealand right here on our Google Maps. We have saved everything from our top campsites to most loved hikes in New Zealand with a toddler. Be sure to download this map into your personal Google Maps for easy access and planning!
10 Day South Island Roadtrip Itinerary
Below is our complete 10 day itinerary and everything you need to know about planning a road trip to the South Island of New Zealand with a toddler. We’ve mapped out our favorite hikes, restaurants, viewpoints, and more. At the end of this post you’ll find other tips about traveling to New Zealand with your toddler. With thoughtful preparation, you can make this family trip one of the best yet!
Day 1
-
- Check in to Queenstown hotel
The Rees Hotel Queenstown
Our new favorite hotel in Queenstown is The Rees Hotel. We had such a wonderful experience and loved the location. Take today to relax after the long journey, settle in and enjoy the scenic views from the hotel room and lobby. The crib setup for Maya was really nice too and made us feel at home. From heated floors to excellent food, the hotel had everything we could’ve hoped for prior to embarking on our camper journey. They may have even spoiled us a bit too much!
Kudos: Thank you to The Rees Hotel staff for keeping our fridge stocked with fresh milk for our little one and allowing us to keep the same room when extending our stay!
Day 2
-
- Pick up motorhome
- Grocery shop at New World
- Queenstown Skyline gondola
- Ben Lomond Track (hike)
Today should focus mainly on preparing for your road trip: pick up the motorhome (this will take about an hour or so), stock up on groceries at New World, and pack up the vehicle. I would suggest doing this in the morning or scheduling it around a nap time if that’s easier. Either way, you’ll be glad to deal with that to-do list first and then can enjoy Queenstown.
After picking up the motorhome and doing some shopping, we headed to the Queenstown skyline. From here, we took the gondola up from town to the skyline for some stunning views of Queenstown. After taking in the scenery, we headed to the trailhead for the Ben Lomond Saddle hike.
Ben Lomond Track via Skyline Gondola
Distance: 6.7 mi
Duration: 4-4.5 hrs
Elevation Gain: 3313 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
I can’t lie, we could not complete this hike because it took us so long to find the trailhead from the skyline. We probably lost a solid 20-30 minutes of random roaming around before finding the start. Not to mention, this was a pretty long hike for our family. However, the hike was beautiful and we enjoyed the entirety of our adventure.
We recommend to always plan for a longer hike duration when bringing a toddler along. Try not to get upset about not being able to complete hikes, because this is life. One day, you’ll be able to finish the longer hikes. But for now, set low expectations and maybe plan shorter hikes. Enjoy the time you spend together and the views, but don’t stress about making it to the top. This was one of many hikes that we have not completed with a little one in tow.
Day 3
-
- Road to paradise
- Routeburn Nature Walk
Road to Paradise (Queenstown to Glenorchy)
Have you ever seen The Lord of the Rings? Well a lot of it was filmed right here in Glenorchy and I can see why! The drive itself from Queenstown is incredible. Hence, being given the name “Road to Paradise”. Our original plan was to head to Fiordland and Milford Sound, but Maya got sick from some bad milk (eek, see story below) and we were nervous to drive to such a rural location in case her symptoms worsened. So, this was a last minute plan. However, this was a really enjoyable part of our trip that I would never want to miss!
The drive is about an hour long and winds around Lake Wakatipu eventually reaching Glenorchy. There are endless spots to pull over and capture some stunning photos. We were in drone heaven for nearly the entire drive! The Routeburn Nature Walk is not a very long walk, so take your time stopping off to get some epic photos and videos.
Side note: The crazy part is that on the map, it looks so close to Fiordland. Unfortunately, you cannot cut through these mountains by car and need to make the 5 hour drive around the Fjords from Queenstown. Alternatively, you can take a quick plane hopper to Milford Sound if you have the means. We’d love to try this option in the future!
Routeburn Nature Walk
Distance: 1.9 mi
Duration: 1 hr
Elevation Gain: 242 ft
Difficulty: Easy
The Routeburn nature walk is easily one of the best trails for young families to visit in the South Island. It was awesome that Maya could run around safely and just explore nature. We highly recommend checking out this area and immerse your little one in the green, mossy forest. There’s suspension bridges, tree stumps, and endless plants for your child to enjoy! I truly felt as if I were on the search for my precioussss (LOR nerd alert).
Day 4
-
- Road to Milford Sound
- Explore Fiordland National Park
- Camp out at Milford Sound Lodge
Road to Milford Sound
Ahh, the majestic Fiordland National Park! This is one of the most incredibly scenic drives you will ever take in your life (and yes, we have done the Amalfi Coast…also, up there). I can’t say enough about this drive. You will want to stop at every turn from the moment you leave Queenstown. Keep in mind, this drive will take 5 hours if you do not stop, which is nearly impossible. Pretty much expect to plan a full day to get to Milford Sound. The epic roadtrip will be one you never forget.
Now, we did this easily without a toddler the first time, but it was even more fun with Maya! This time around, we tried to plan it around Maya’s nap time instead of leaving first thing in the morning. (Perhaps let your little one get some energy out at a Queenstown park prior to the long drive.) My favorite part of this drive was seeing Maya’s excitement at so many points. From laughing at cows crossing the street to seeing llamas at the Te Aneu pit stop, she had such a blast! My suggestion would be to spend at least two nights to take advantage of this area as it is very far from everything and there is so much to explore.
Explore Fiordland National Park
Be sure to stop and enjoy all of the viewpoints along the way. I won’t make note of them here because you will know right away as you pass. However, make sure to snag a video going through the Homer Tunnel as you enter the Milford Sound region (don’t drive and record!). It is absolutely epic!! Also, be sure to check the Milford Road Status here for potential road closures. The first time we traveled to Fiordland, there was an earthquake in the region and caused some road closures due to avalanches. Just drive cautiously and stay up-to-date.
Camp Out at Milford Sound Lodge
Snag a campsite at Milford Sound Lodge. Make sure you book this well in advance as this location does not have many campsites and it is certainly a prime spot! It is the only campsite in the Milford Sound. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to sleep in the fjords surrounded by giant mountains and water streams!
Day 5
-
- Milford Sound Cruise
- Milford Sound swing viewpoint
- Lake Marian Track
Realistically, this day should be split into two days or you could choose one of the two activities. I think doing a Milford Sound tour and hiking Lake Marian would be a lot with a toddler. Due to unfortunate weather conditions, we did not get to complete any of these activities. However, we have done the Milford Sound cruise in the past and highly recommend it. You’ll get to drink water from the waterfall, encounter penguins, and be surrounded by majestic fjords. Plus, you have access to some incredible photo op spots before and afterwards. I’ll include where to find the location that we took the famous swing photo below. Here is a great article with instructions on how to find it as it was a little tricky to find.
Milford Sound Cruise
I am going to post some Milford Sound cruise photos below from our prior trip to New Zealand because it was absolutely incredible and a must do! To be clear, we still would’ve done this in rainy weather, but since we had already done it once, we thought with our limited time that it was better just to start making the long trek to Wanaka. I would recommend this to any family visiting this region!
Lake Marian Track
Sadly, we did not get to complete this hike due to weather, but it will be a definite hike the next time we visit the South Island. Do not miss these incredible views!! Check out photos on Google if you need further convincing.
Day 6
-
- Key Summit Trail
- Head to Wanaka
- Hampshire Holiday Parks – Glendhu Bay
Today, you can decide whether or not to tackle Key Summit Trail or head straight to Wanaka. You have a solid 5-6 hour drive, so depending on your family and toddler’s nap needs, you may want to leave while she/he sleeps. We had lost out on a day due to Maya’s sickness and only had one night in Milford. With the rainy, cold weather, heading to Wanaka sounded like our best move. After enjoying breakfast at Milford Sound Lodge, we headed back towards Queenstown and Wanaka. After resting up at Hampshire Holiday Parks, we were prepared for an active next morning.
Terrfying Driving Moments: The first time we visited the South Island, we drove to Wanaka through the sketchy Crown Range Road. Little did we know how steep this road was. It took us over a mountain with multiple hairpin turns. This is challenging enough to a foreigner with a small car. With a large motorhome, it was downright terrifying. Luckily, Maui Motorhomes warned us the second time visiting that the road was off limits to motorhomes. Thankfully, we were able to take a different route to Wanaka. The only downside was that it took a bit longer and was out of the way. However, at least we felt safe and it was an easy ride. You can certainly take Crown Range Road if you have a car or small SUV, but I would advise against it with a large vehicle or motorhome.
Day 7
-
- Isthmus Peak Track
- Rippon Winery
Isthmus Peak Track
Distance: 9.8 mi
Duration: 6-7 hrs
Elevation Gain: 3,789 ft
Get up early and head to Isthmus Peak for a stunning out-and-back hike that has comparable views to that of Roy’s Peak, yet less exhausting and busy. Despite its length, the track’s elevation gain is less than Roy’s Peak and was very enjoyable. Unfortunately, we got about 3/4 of the way to the top and it began to hail out of nowhere, We were not prepared for that type of weather and got concerned about Maya’s warmth. We decided to abort the rest of the hike and head back down. The views were incredible and we saw maybe one other group the entire time. I loved how peaceful and less traveled this track was. Expect to be hiking with a lot more people tomorrow!
Rippon Winery
After a long morning of hiking, why not relax on a vineyard with a glass of New Zealand wine surrounded by mountains? Rippon Winery is the perfect spot to reward yourselves after a tiring day. We have now been here twice and have had the best experience. Rippon is a small local winery in Wanaka that offers indoor wine tastings. You can book a spot on their website here. They offer bike and vineyard tours as well if interested. After your tasting, head to the outdoor grounds to take in the scenery. You won’t be disappointed! Be sure to try our favorite Osteiner, which now can be shipped from California (woohoo!).
Kids in the Tasting Room
We loved that children were allowed to attend the tasting alongside us. Obviously, be considerate of others and don’t bring a child who cannot remain somewhat calm through out the tasting. There was a moment that Maya got bored and I simply brought her outside while Gregg finished. The tasting is very short, maybe 20 minutes long and doable for parents. I would recommend perhaps bringing some type of entertainment for your little one and then head outside to enjoy your wine afterwards. Don’t forget to bring some vino back to your camper for later 😉
Day 8
-
- Roy’s Peak Track
- Explore downtown Wanaka
- Visit the famous Wanaka Tree
Roy’s Peak Track
Distance: 10.1 mi
Duration: 5-6 hrs
Elevation Gain: 4,297 ft
The Roy’s Peak track is the OG hike in the South Island. This is what you see all over Google and social media when researching the island and for good reason. We have now completed this hike twice, once as a couple and the most recent time as a pregnant mama with a toddler. Gregg was a trooper and hiked with Maya up to the top. This hike is not for the weak and I would only recommend it to those physically fit. Expect to carry your little one most the way as it has many steep switchbacks. I wouldn’t say it is unsafe for your toddler, but their tiny legs will tire quickly. Take as many breaks as you all need and let them out to roam around for a bit. Be sure to bring lots of snacks, but your toddler will love taking in the beautiful sights! Hopefully you are lucky enough to see some sheep or cows mingling while you’re there! Prepare for a grueling, yet well worth it, half day hike. We promise that the way down is quick and relatively easy!
Photography tips
You can capture this shot with either a camera and tripod or a drone. We brought both to get the best of both worlds. Try to get up there early or later in the afternoon if possible as mid day is packed with hikers. We decided that a 4 am wake up was not worth it this time around and headed up a little after noon. A lot of hikers were heading down as we were heading up, so it wasn’t too busy at the viewpoint.
Explore Wanaka
The Roy’s Peak Track will wear you out like no other day hike! If you can muscle up the energy to go out afterwards, head into downtown Wanaka for some amazing coffee and dinner. We absolutely love the Kai Whakapai Eatery for a solid latte and snack! Afterwards, choose from many good restuarant options for dinner. Bombay Palace had some delicious Indian food if that’s up your alley. The town itself is adorable and has so much to offer. Another great spot was Patagonia Chocolates for some incredibly delicious hot chocolate. This is a must when visiting New Zealand with a toddler!
Day 9
-
- Head to Aoraki/Mount Cook
- Photos at Lake Pukaki
- Hooker Valley Track
- Buffet at The Hermitage Hotel
- Glentanner Holiday Park
The drive to Aoraki/Mount Cook is a little long, but stunning. Enjoy the 2.5 hour drive and stop for photos along the way. You won’t want to miss Lake Pukaki and capture the famous street view of Mount Cook. Check out tip below to capture this photo like we did!
How to capture Mount Cook street view photo
Mount Cook is a beautiful snowcapped mountain that just looks so epic from the road. There is a recommend photo op spot, but if you have a straight way and can see it big and clearly, that will work too.
Equipment you need: a tripod or second person to take the photo, an iPhone or camera with a good zoom, and you!
The key to this shot is to magnify Mount Cook as you, the subject, will be the main focal point. Make sure you are using a zoom lens and NOT a wide angle! The goal is to have the tripod/photographer stand far away from you (10-20 ft ideally depending on how large you want the mountain to appear) and zoom in enough to get the mountain enlarged in the background. You must zoom in to make this shot happen! This requires the tripod to be further away from you (the subject).
See the difference below in the two photos. One was zoomed in and Gregg was much further away from us. The other, he was maybe only 5 feet in front of us.
Hooker Valley Track
Distance: 6.8 mi
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Elevation Gain: 646 ft
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
After capturing more photos than necessary, we finally made it to Mount Cook just in time to check out the Hooker Valley Track. This is a bucket list walk that we missed last time we visited the South Island. This was one of the best walks we did with Maya and highly recommend if visiting New Zealand with a Toddler!
The trail itself is relatively easy and mostly paved with a lot of steps, yet minimal elevation gain. It is a 6.8 mile out and back trail that leads to Hooker Lake at the bottom of Mount Cook. The views from the multiple suspension bridges are to die for! This is a must-do track for those in the Aoraki region. We completed this walk in much less than 2.5 hours because we started it very late and it was starting to get dark. I think we ran there most of the way (yes, pregnant and all!). After making it to the lake right at sunset, we didn’t have much time to enjoy the views, but luckily the entire trail was so gorgeous.
Be sure to treat yourself to a high carb meal at The Hermitage before bed as tomorrow’s hike is going to be a grind!
- Day 10
-
- Sealy Tarns Track
- Drive to Christchurch
- Photos at Lake Tekapo
- Stay at Chateau on the Park in Christchurch
Sealy Tarns Track
Ok, so I don’t know if this hike is as grueling as I thought it was. Maybe being in my second trimester made it significantly more challenging. However, this hike is not for the weak. Referred to as the “stairway to heaven,” it is over 2,200 steps and takes you to an incredible overlook of Mount Cook and the village. The track is stunning through out the entire climb and looks over some of Mount Cook’s lakes.
For those looking for more adventure, this route also takes you to Mueller Hut if you continue on (I would only recommend this in summertime with little kids). To our surprise, the stairs towards the top were covered with snow and some ice that had started to melt. Others recommend completing this for sunrise/sunset, but I would avoid doing it in the dark with toddlers. I think with older children, it would be fun in warmer conditions. Although it was challenging, I felt a sense of accomplishment by the time I finally made it to the top! It was one of the hikes that you are proud of when it’s complete. Luckily, the way down was all steps and took significantly less time than going up.
Things to keep in mind before hiking with a toddler:
-
-
-
- This hike is over 2,200 steep, narrow steps and considered challenging
- The top gets icy/snowy in Fall
- Your toddler should be carried the entire hike up
- There is a a small, safe spot up top for your child to stretch out and have a snack. However, it was very windy and cold, so we left after a few pictures.
- Wear good hiking shoes in case of wet or icy steps
- This is a fairly popular hike and you should get there early/later
- Ice may have melted by midday, so plan accordingly
-
-
After completing the challenging Sealy Tarns track, head back to the Hermitage Hotel for some hot chocolate or a well-deserved adult beverage! We hung out by the fire, enjoyed a drink and lunch before the long road to Christchurch. This drive is going to take you at least 5 hours, so decide whether to leave around nap or bed time depending on your child and hiking times. We left at night, so Maya would fall asleep. This is nice but we don’t do many roadtrips and after an exhausting day of hiking, it was tough to stay awake on the sleepy, quiet roads. Take turns and stay well caffeinated! There was nothing more clutch than the upgraded suite we received after checking into the Chateau on the Park hotel. Somehow, we bounced back and found the energy to enjoy some chamomile tea in the bubble bath when we arrived. This was a much needed kind gesture by the hotel!
Post-hike lattes at The Hermitage Hotel
Day 11
-
- say goodbye to this beautiful land ❤️
Sadly, your time in New Zealand has come to an end. Today will you most likely be departing from Christchurch and heading back home. Make sure to plan enough time to tidy up and drop off your vehicle at Maui Motorhomes. This process will probably take about an hour, so give yourself ample time. Especially with a toddler! This trip to New Zealand with your toddler will create memories that last a lifetime. There is no other trip I can recommend more than visiting the beautiful South Island with your family. As always, check out more of our toddler trips and social media accounts to follow along our adventures 🙂
Must Try Restaurants & Cafes
Queenstown
-
- The Boatshed Cafe
- Giovi Pasta & Pizza
- Restaurant at the Sherwood
- The famous Fergburger
Wanaka
-
- Rippon Winery
- Kai Whakapai Eatery & Craft Beer Bar
- Patagonia Chocolates
Aoraki/Mount Cook
-
- Buffet at The Hermitage
New Zealand with a Toddler Guide
What to Pack
-
-
- Packing for a trip to the South Island, New Zealand with a Toddler shouldn’t be stressful. If you’re visiting in the spring/fall, basic hiking layers and clothing is all you need. If visiting in the winter, remember the 3 layer rule (warm base layer, fleece midlayer, thick outer layer).
- Hiking sneakers/boots are helpful for an active child. Many of the trails can be wet or muddy at times.
- We adore the Osprey Poco Lt child carrier to keep our babe safe on steep hikes or when they tire (because they will). I think mittens and a hat are clutch unless visiting in the summertime. It can get cold quickly as you ascent on some hikes. We had to abort the isthmus peak hike because it started hailing towards the top!! This was not expected, but I was glad we prepared and brought Maya mittens.
- Merino wool or fleece base layers are your best friend for layering up.
-
Where to purchase toddler necessities
Each town has a grocery store with infant foods and a pharmacy with baby/toddler gear. We lost all of our pacifiers and successfully found some at the local pharmacy. Certain products can’t be found in the grocery stores (New World). Make sure to stock up before heading into more rural areas like Milford and Aoraki/Mount Cook. Queenstown and Wanaka will certainly have all you need.
WHOLE MILK AKA FULL CREAM MILK
No, whole milk is not the red cap. That is heavy cream. Also, read the label. Full cream is the proper terminology. Don’t make this mistake. Sorry Maya ❤️
Queenstown has the only major hospital in the South Island
Always good to know where the nearest large hospital is when traveling with kids.
Christchurch has the largest on the South Island. Lakes District in Queenstown is the largest in Otago.
Food dilemmas
For some reason Maya hit a random food regression. I’m not sure if she was just tired from the travel or had an upset tummy from the spoiled heavy cream 😬🤦🏽♀️ but it was like pulling teeth to find something she would eat. We finally bought toddler bowls and spoons at the grocery store in hopes that it would bring her some routine. To our surprise, it worked! She survived mostly off of pasta and PB&J sandwiches the entire trip. We were just relived to see her eat again! New Zealand has every type of food you could imagine and super fresh, so it certainly wasn’t the country to blame.
Random Tips
Always bring cash. This shouldn’t be a surprise. We had an issue at the gas station not accepting our cards because we needed some pin. It took forever to finally figure out one of the correct PIN numbers and if we had cash, it would’ve saved us the hassle. We always bring cash, but we were ill prepared.
New Zealand hands down makes the best lattes in the world. Sorry Starbucks.
Final Thoughts
There’s not many places in the world quiet like New Zealand. It’s one of those countries that is extremely underrated and has so much to offer. After visiting 20 countries (10 with a toddler), we can say that this was by far the best family trip we have done. Despite New Zealand’s distance from the States, it still continues to be our favorite country. We hope that our trip encourages other families to plan their own road trip through New Zealand with a toddler!
Our Favorite Toddler Summer Destinations
Picking the perfect family vacation spot can be a challenge There’s so many beautiful places in the world, but finding the ideal family summer destination
Read More
The Ultimate Guide: New Zealand Road Trip with a Toddler
The South Island of New Zealand is far underrated in my opinion. As an American, I feel as though it is our best kept
Read More
Whistler Ski Trip with Young Kids
Planning a Whistler ski trip with young kids?Follow our guide for a smooth, fun family adventure!
Read MoreFollow Us Our Adventures on Social!
