North Island Family Itinerary: 1 Week / 7 Days 👪

7-Day Family Itinerary for the North Island

Explore the North Island with kids using this North Island family itinerary for one week! While we strongly recommend allowing at least two weeks to explore the North Island with kids, we know that not all families have that luxury. With that in mind, we’ve put together a 7-day North Island family itinerary hitting exciting destinations. Plus, it includes a couple of days in the same place mid-way through so you can recharge.

Plan your North Island family vacation with this complete North Island family itinerary for seven days.

North Island Family Itinerary for 1 Week: Overview

Day 1 – Auckland Airport to Waitomo
Day 2 – Waitomo to Rotorua
Day 3 – Explore Rotorua
Day 4 – Rotorua to Taupo
Day 5 – Taupo to Ohakune
Day 6 – Ohakune to Wellington
Day 7 – Explore Wellington + Departure.

North Island Family Itinerary: One Week / 7 Days 👪

How to Get Around the North Island in One Week with Kids

Most families come to the North Island to experience the great Kiwi road trip. With that in mind, renting a car or campervan allows families to have full flexibility and comfort compared to using public transport. However, those on a tight budget might want to consider the national bus service. The best ways to get around, using the below itinerary, are as follows.

Rental Car or Campervan

Enjoy complete freedom to visit all of the stops we recommend in this family one-week itinerary by renting a car or campervan. As this itinerary starts in Auckland and ends in Wellington, we recommend choosing a rental company that has depots in both cities – don’t worry, there are many. Start your research using The Guide to Renting a Car or The Guide Renting a Campervan in New Zealand.

National Bus Service

InterCity offers the cheapest way to get between the destinations mentioned in this family itinerary. On the downside, you are restrained by bus schedules. Find out more about the passes available in What’s the Difference Between InterCity Bus Passes?

Domestic Flights

The below itinerary begins in Auckland and ends in Wellington. Both cities have international airports and are well-connected with domestic flights. If you’re leaving from Auckland, you will need to consider booking a domestic flight from Wellington to Auckland

Train

Alternative to taking a flight from Wellington to Auckland (and better for the planet), take a scenic train journey with the Northern Explorer. Find out more on our guide to the Train Network in New Zealand.

For more tips on planning a family vacation, head to The Travel Guide to New Zealand for Families.

Day 1 – Auckland Airport to Waitomo

Travel time: 2 hrs 10 mins

With only one week to explore the North Island, you and your family have no time to lose in hitting the road. If you’ve come from a different time zone, we recommend reading the tips in 10 Simple Ways to Get Over Jet Lag to make sure our as fresh as possible for travelling the North Island. With that out of the way, let’s talk about the journey from Auckland Airport to Waitomo!

Collect your rental vehicle from Auckland Airport and head south, picking up supplies or grabbing a bite to eat in Hamilton. You can also stop by the quirky town of Otorohanga which is the self-proclaimed “Kiwiana Capital of the World”.

Once you arrive in Waitomo, you have a wide array of tours available to experience its famous glowworm caves. Walking cave tours are suitable for all ages, while older kids might like underground tubing. Check out tour options in the 8 Best Waitomo Cave Tours. Otherwise, check out the suggestions below.

Family Activities in Waitomo

Do a walking tour of Ruakuri Cave
Or enjoy a gentle boat trip through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Figure out the puzzles of the Troll Cave
See the filming locations of The Hobbit at Hairy Feet Waitomo
Meet a kiwi bird and more at the Otorohanga Kiwi House.

For more details on each activity, take a look at the 10 Things to Do in Waitomo with Kids.

Family Accommodation in Waitomo

For more information on our top picks, take a look at the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Waitomo.

Day 2 – Waitomo to Rotorua

Travel time: 1 hr 55 mins

Start off your morning with any of the activities you might have missed in Waitomo yesterday. Then, Rotorua is just under two hours’ drive away. If any of your family are Middle-earth enthusiasts, however, you will need to take a mandatory 15-minute detour to the Hobbiton Movie Set. Check out Viator or Klook to book your tickets or head to How to Get the Best Hobbiton Discount for tips on how to get in cheaper.

An alternative pitstop on the way to Rotorua from Waitomo is the 5-minute detour to the Putaruru Blue Spring/Te Waihou Walkway. The walkway is stroller-friendly and free to see the brilliant blue waters of the spring flowing down a stream.

If you haven’t worn the kids out once you get to Rotorua, you can always check out the free geothermal Kuirau Park in the city centre. Check-in at your accommodation from the recommendations listed below. You will have more time to explore Rotorua tomorrow.

Family Accommodation in Rotorua

For more information on our top picks, check out the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Rotorua.

Day 3 – Explore Rotorua

You have the whole day to enjoy Rotorua, with something to suit all families. How about a sheep and farm show at Agrodome? Why not zip through the trees with Rotorua Canopy Tours (more info on Viator, Klook or KKday)? For something free to do, go for a short walk in the Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest or one of Rotorua’s surrounding lakes like Lake Okareka. Check out more recommendations below.

Family Activities in Rotorua

Experience the famous sheep show and farm tour of Agrodome
Meet the kiwi birds, giant trout and more at the National Kiwi Hatchery (more info on Viator or Klook)
See Rotorua’s highlights and lakes on Rotorua Duck Tours (on Viator and Klook)
Do the family-friendly walks of the Whakawerawera Redwood Forest
Experience that famous NZ adrenaline at Velocity Valley (on Viator or Klook).

For more information on each experience, check out the 20 Things to Do in Rotorua with Kids.

Day 4 – Rotorua to Taupo

Travel time: 1 hour

The road to Taupo is full of geothermal wonders. On your way out of Rotorua, treat the kids to a morning at a geothermal park, such as Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu Volcanic Valley or Orakei Korako.

Just outside of Taupo, check out the powerful rapids of Huka Falls or, better yet, take an exciting jet boat ride with Hukafalls Jet to the falls (more info on Viator and KKday).

In town, you have a wealth of cruises to enjoy on the lake to see its famous Maori carvings. Alternatively, you might want to kayak down the Waikato River to some hot pools with Canoe & Kayak Taupo or Taupo Kayaking Adventures (on Viator and Klook). Check out more ideas below.

Family Activities in Taupo

Blast down the Waikato River on a jet boat tour (more info on Viator and KKday)…
… Or gently float to natural hot springs on a family-friendly kayaking tour with Canoe & Kayak Taupo
Let the kids loose on the slides while you relax at Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort
Marvel at the mighty Huka Falls
Play on the prawn-themed equipment at the Huka Prawn Park.

For more information on each activity, check out the 10 Things to Do in Taupo with Kids.

Family Accommodation in Taupo

For more information on our top picks, check out the 15 Best Family Accommodations in Taupo.

Day 5 – Taupo to Ohakune

Travel time: 1h40mins

If there’s anything you’ve missed in Taupo, now’s your chance before you hit the road again – this time to Ohakune via the Tongariro National Park.

In the town of Turangi, experience adventure for the whole family with the excellent kid-friendly white water rafting trip on the Tongariro River. Tours are available with Tongariro River Rafting.

Next, delve into the Tongariro National Park with plenty of free stops along the way. Walk around the dense forest of Lake Rotopounamu on a 2-hour easy walking trail. Then, take a quick detour towards Whakapapa Village to do the short Tawhai Falls walk, the Mounds Walk for excellent volcano views, or the 2-hour Taranaki Falls.

As you reach Ohakune, you’ll probably have some very worn-out little ones, so check in at one of our recommended accommodations. Additionally, Ohakune has its own set of activities, should you prefer to miss out on some of the above recommendations in favour of something from this list:

Family Activities in Ohakune

Horse trek through streams and a historic town with Ruapehu Homestead Horsetrekking
Hire bikes and ride the Jubilee Walkway, Mangawhero River Trail and more
Let the kids loose at the Ohakune Carrot playground
Tackle the indoor climbing walls at the Vertigo Adventure Centre
Check out Dinosaur House in Raetihi
Treat the kids to a world-famous chocolate eclair at Johnny Nation’s Chocolate Eclair Shop.

For more information on each activity and its location, check out the 10 Things to Do in Ohakune with Kids.

Family Accommodation in Ohakune

For more information on our top recommendations, check out the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Ohakune.

Day 6 – Ohakune to Wellington

Travel time: 3 hrs 45 mins

Once everyone is up and ready to go, it’s time to hit the road to the capital city, Wellington. But it’s not without seeing some quirky towns and attractions along the way.

The first town you’ll encounter is Waiouru, home to the National Army Museum. With all the tanks displayed outside, just try to pass without the kids begging to stop! Next, you’ll pass through Taihape with its giant gumboot sculpture and Mangaweka which makes a good pitstop for a coffee.

Just before reaching Hunterville, we recommend taking the alternative route to Wellington stopping by Manawatu Gorge. This will just add 15 minutes to your drive time, but it’s well worth it to walk the family-friendly trails like the Tawa Loop Walk.

Finally, it’s a couple of more hours to Wellington where you can put your feet up at one of the recommended accommodations or fit in a cheeky visit to the free-entry Te Papa Museum.

Family Accommodation in Wellington

Find out more about each accommodation in the 15 Best Family Accommodations in Wellington.

Day 7 – Explore Wellington + Departure

Travel time: 10 minutes

Depending on what time your flight is out of Wellington, you might have enough time to explore the Wellington Botanic Garden or Zealandia Ecosanctuary (more info on Klook and Viator). The latter is an affordable attraction that gives you access to a predator-free reserve where New Zealand’s weird and wonderful birds can thrive. This fun educational sanctuary is ideal for all ages.

But if these activities aren’t your cup of tea, we have some other recommendations:

Family Activities in Wellington

Get active on the high-wire course at Adrenalin Forest
Spend the day at Wellington’s beaches
Learn about the night’s sky at Space Place
Meet the animals and birds at Staglands Wildlife Reserve
See how the movies are made at the Weta Workshop (on Viator and Klook).

Find out more about each activity for families in 10 Things to Do in Wellington with Kids.

Leaving the North Island

Finally, after a week on the North Island, it’s time to wrap this adventure up and head to Wellington Airport.

Remember to give yourself plenty of time to return your rental vehicle. There are connecting flights between Wellington and Auckland if you are flying out of Auckland.

Alternatively, take a train journey to Auckland with the Northern Explorer, which is more scenic and has a lower carbon footprint.

Goodbye from New Zealand! Next time, why not try the South Island Family Itinerary: 1 Week?

More About a North Island Family Itinerary for 1 Week / 7 Days

That’s it for our North Island family itinerary for 7 days. If that wasn’t the itinerary you were looking for, check out these alternative 7-day itineraries:

Finally, get advice on planning more of your family getaway with The Travel Guide to New Zealand for Families.

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in New Zealand over 10 years ago and with a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to travel New Zealand. She knows Aotearoa inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience New Zealand’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides and is the co-host of NZ Pocket Guide’s live New Zealand travel Q&As on YouTube.

Contact Laura via our contact page