Guide to Road-Tripping with Kids in New Zealand

New Zealand is a wonderland for kids—especially if they’ve got an adult to drive them around. Here your family adventures can go out of this world, stopping by bubbling mud pools, glow-in-the-dark glowworms and vast mountainous spaces with plenty of room to run around. And with a Thrifty rental car as your vehicle of choice, you’ll have a convenient and low-cost way of ticking off these destinations and make lifelong memories. Let’s get started!

Drive Short, Go Big

New Zealand isn’t the biggest country, but it sure packs in some epicness. This means you won’t have to travel too far to blow your kids’ minds. 

In only 20 minutes, you can travel from Christchurch to Sumner Beach, and be greeted with beautiful sands, safe waters, plus playgrounds and ice cream shops for when water time’s over. At low tide, head to the nearby Cave Rock for an adventure inside of a giant rock.

Going further, at 90 minutes from Auckland, Hamilton Gardens is a collection of gardens that spans a range of fascinating themes—from ancient Egyptian, to tropical, and even surrealist. This means that in one easy destination you’ll have plenty of variety to keep the kids entertained.

If you’re able to travel three hours from Auckland, you’ll be met with magic at Waitomo Caves, where your kids will watch in awe as thousands of glowworms light up the cave walls. It’s an experience of nature that the whole family will find hard to believe and even harder to forget.

Keep the Kids Fed and Entertained

While you may be occupied by the road, your kids may get a little antsy staring at the back of your seat. Make sure you pack plenty of books to read, books to draw in, tablets and earphones. All that sitting in the backseat can make them hungry, so bring along some healthy snacks to keep their minds running or naughty treats to bribe them for sitting still.

Break up Bigger Journeys

If you’re heading somewhere you fear is a little too far for their comfort, it really helps to stop somewhere along the way. But don’t make it somewhere desolate—pick a place where you can insert some fun stuff into the stop-off. Many holiday parks will have playgrounds and other kid-friendly amenities, while farmstays may have a family of animals your kids will make best friends with and beg you to keep. Your journey may end up longer, but it’ll be much funner.

Take up Some Space

Here in NZ, we’re blessed with vast, picturesque, peaceful landscapes—which your kids will love running amok in! Wander (or run) through Whirinaki Forest, an ancient rainforest where birds, waterfalls and massive podocarp trees watch over you. Or, head to Moeraki Boulders and hop along the giant spherical rocks scattered along the beach. For something that feels like something straight out of a fantasy movie (because it is!) head to Castle Hill. These towering limestone formations are so stunning, they were chosen to feature in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

Take the Family Further With Thrifty

When it comes to road trips, there are few better places to be a kid. There’s a miracle of nature around every corner—all you have to do is go find them. With some smart planning and careful choosing, your kids will cruise around the country and return home with an experience they’ll one day look back on with joy. To make your journey easier, grab yourself a Thrifty rental car and discover our range of quality rides at family-friendly prices.