Nz tawharanui family sunset 1 joshua mccormack family primary header
Nz bay of islands kids playing beach family under5 easygoing
Nz dolphins kaikoura family teenagers header
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Nz tawharanui family sunset 1 joshua mccormack family primary header
Nz bay of islands kids playing beach family under5 easygoing
Nz dolphins kaikoura family teenagers header
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Share quality time and make lifelong memories in

New Zealand with your family

Close your eyes and picture your family on a dream holiday to New Zealand. Are the kids building sandcastles on Awaroa Beach? Swimming with the world’s smallest dolphin? Listening in awe to the Māori people's stories? Then stop dreaming - and let us make it a reality.

At TravelEssence, our deep local knowledge and expertise allow us to craft family experiences that immerse you in the heart of New Zealand's culture. We focus on what truly matters - a stress-free, family-friendly holiday full of exciting experiences and lifelong memories your family will cherish forever.

Picture your family strolling along the pristine beaches of the Bay of Islands, watch your children's eyes widen as they have a close encounter with a Kiwi, or enjoy a peaceful dinner under the stars in a secluded accommodation by the mountains.

With TravelEssence, every moment of your journey is crafted with care so you can experience the best of what New Zealand has to offer - worry-free.

Spot a Kiwi | New Zealand wildlife
Spot a kiwi
© TravelEssence
Feed sheep during a farm stay

The TravelEssence guarantee:

  • Explore beyond the typical tourist destinations with a tailor-made holiday that is made just for you.
  • Engage and immerse with your welcoming local hosts and gain a deeper understanding of different customs.
  • Discover unique small-scale accommodations and activities.
  • Once in a lifetime kind of experience.
  • Rest assured with a 24/7 network of support for the duration of your holiday should you need us.
  • Speak to a travel expert when convenient for you - our team is available every day until 9 pm at our London office or online.
  • Complete peace of mind as we are full members of ATOL and ABTA.

How long do we need in New Zealand?

You could spend months travelling the ever-changing landscape of New Zealand and not see the same place twice. So what you really need to ask yourself is: "How long do we have?".

At TravelEssence, we understand that every family is unique, and that’s why our travel specialists craft bespoke itineraries tailored just for you.

Plus, by promoting travelling at a relaxed pace, we ensure that you and your family have enough time to immerse yourselves in the wonders of New Zealand without rushing from highlight to highlight.

Whether you have a few weeks or a month, our travel specialists will provide you with an itinerary matching your family’s interests and rhythm that bring you all closer together and leave you with stories to cherish for a lifetime.

Have a look at some of our favourite trips to get inspired for your own journey

Where can we stay?

Experience the Kiwi lifestyle with your family in rare and beautiful places, and enjoy undisturbed nature and discover wildlife at your doorstep.

Whether you prefer a farm stay in the Southern Alps or the beach as your backyard, experience hand-selected accommodations that allow you to absorb the local lifestyle.

With TravelEssence, you will stay in unique accommodations that are an experience in themselves - just tell us the comfort level you are looking for, and we will do the rest!

What type of accommodation do you prefer?

Nz south wanaka fishing family

Would you like to find out a little more?

We offer regular online presentations. Get to know New Zealand a little better. And see if you like what we offer and what we can offer you. It’s free, of course, and no obligation. You can find our next online presentations here.

Sign up for an online presentation

What can we see and do?

Booking carefully selected, authentically local activities and experiences will engage your children’s curiosity and spark their love for travel. After all, immersing them in a culture different from their own is the best learning experience there is.

From great adventures such as spotting the rare yellow-eyed penguin on the Caitlin Coast of the South Island, to cycling along an old railway line, through tunnels and over bridges between Dunedin and Central Otago, and even listening to the Māori people's stories passed down from generation to generation, your options are endless.

With New Zealand's diversity and our wide range of child-friendly local activities, you can see and do just about anything your family desires. Let us know what excites you and discover the best Kiwi activities for some fun-filled days.

Choose the type of activity you enjoy

Family friendly destinations

People walking over a swing bridge
Rotorua
Rotorua is known for its volcanic wonders and rich Maori culture. Be captivated by a geothermal wonderland, intriguing Maori villages, and stunning landscapes.
Discover more
Aerial view of a green mountain peak with a river winding around the bottom of it
Queenstown
Discover one of New Zealand's most thrilling destinations - Queenstown - best known as the home of bungee jumping.
Discover more
Explore the outskirts of Wellington | New Zealand holiday
Wellington
Wellington is a vibrant and compact city, bursting with things to see and do. It is located at the bottom of the North Island, overlooking Cook Strait and the spectacular hills and valleys of the South Island.
Discover more
View of green native forest, blue ocean and rugged cliffs
Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and it has a vibrant, colourful flair. The ‘City of Sails’ as it is known, is surrounded by the Hauraki Gulf, Waitemata and Manukau Harbours and has over 40 extinct volcanoes in the region.
Discover more
Rock face with Maori engravings surrounded by water
Lake Taupo
The beautiful Lake Taupo is located in central North Island. Covering a surface area of 616 square kilometres, it is considered more of an inland sea than a lake.
Discover more
People walking over a swing bridge
Rotorua
Rotorua is known for its volcanic wonders and rich Maori culture. Be captivated by a geothermal wonderland, intriguing Maori villages, and stunning landscapes.
Discover more
Aerial view of a green mountain peak with a river winding around the bottom of it
Queenstown
Discover one of New Zealand's most thrilling destinations - Queenstown - best known as the home of bungee jumping.
Discover more
Explore the outskirts of Wellington | New Zealand holiday
Wellington
Wellington is a vibrant and compact city, bursting with things to see and do. It is located at the bottom of the North Island, overlooking Cook Strait and the spectacular hills and valleys of the South Island.
Discover more
View of green native forest, blue ocean and rugged cliffs
Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and it has a vibrant, colourful flair. The ‘City of Sails’ as it is known, is surrounded by the Hauraki Gulf, Waitemata and Manukau Harbours and has over 40 extinct volcanoes in the region.
Discover more
Rock face with Maori engravings surrounded by water
Lake Taupo
The beautiful Lake Taupo is located in central North Island. Covering a surface area of 616 square kilometres, it is considered more of an inland sea than a lake.
Discover more

Ready for the holiday of a lifetime?

Discover a world beyond ordinary

At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.