Discover New Zealand's secrets on a care-free family holiday

Where can we stay?

Experience the Kiwi lifestyle with your family in rare and beautiful places. 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.

Enjoy unique family-friendly accommodations and absorb the local lifestyle

Staying at small-scale accommodations with local hosts and renowned Kiwi hospitality is the greatest way to see New Zealand. Whether you need a kitchen for preparing home-cooked meals, a baby bed or an extra bathroom for your teenagers. Your travel specialist will ensure that your needs are catered for so that you can spend more time enjoying your holiday.

When is the best travel time?

New Zealand is a great place and a beautifully diverse country perfect for travel year-round. Are you looking to relax on the beach? Explore the cities? Discover the wilderness? The options are endless. We understand that with school-age children you’re more likely to travel during the UK summer months. This is during the New Zealand winter which is a great time because you'll feel like you get the whole country to yourself.

Make the most out of your time in New Zealand

Your travel specialist will get a sense of your family’s interests and make personal recommendations on the best places to go and the best travel time. We recommend booking about 9-12 months in advance. This ensures that you will secure the best accommodations for the best prices at the time you would like to visit. However, if you'd like to embark on your journey sooner we can still make it happen.

How do I travel around?

With every turn of the road, New Zealand’s landscape changes. A dramatic array of scenery that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. From coastal roads to panoramic rainforest passes, and awe-inspiring mountainous landscapes - New Zealand is best explored by car. For families, we recommend a self-drive holiday in a large SUV with plenty of space for the kids in the back. This allows you to explore off the beaten track places that group trips and campervans often cannot reach.

Take advantage of our special deals and travel comfortably, complete with:

• A spacious SUV
• A navigation system
• Air-conditioning
• Full insurance and low fuel costs
• Hire cars that are less than six months old
• Plenty of luggage space
• Safe and secure roads
• Pre-arranged baby car seat or booster chair
• A route with only a couple of hours between each location
• Discover off the beaten track places that motorhomes often cannot reach

Drive less, see more

A relaxed travel pace is the greatest way to see New Zealand. And your travel specialist will design your holiday with two or more nights at each location. Explore each local area and get the most out of where you are. This way you get to drive less but see more. Because that's what a great holiday is all about at TravelEssence.

If you are thinking of renting a campervan, talk to us now and discover why driving in a rental car is the best way to see New Zealand.

Sample itineraries

Your trip to New Zealand will represent you as a family. Take a look at some favourite past trips to get inspired for your own journey. With holidays ranging from three to seven weeks based on various themes, you can change comfort levels, and add activities, rental cars, and flights to sense the possibilities that await.

Start your dream journey here

Bring your ideas to us, take advantage of our local knowledge, and together we will create your unique, personalised holiday that is yours and yours alone. Get in touch with us here.

Frequently asked questions

Specialist knowledge means the details that need specific attention are always taken care of - you don't have to worry about anything. But of course, you may have a lot of questions right now as you get an idea of the possibilities that await you. Find the answers to your questions here.