10 practical tips for making the most of your New Zealand family adventure
- Vivian Teo
- 1 minute ago
- 12 min read
From epic scenery and long drives to dining, planning and customs surprises, here are 10 practical tips we picked up in our epic New Zealand family trip to help make your own journey smoother.
Truth be told, I had no idea what to expect before heading to New Zealand. The trip was my girls’ idea - they’re big fans of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit - while I wasn’t exactly thrilled about the ten-hour flight from Singapore to Auckland. Long flights aren’t my favourite these days, and I’ll admit I started out with a bit of hesitation.
But what unfolded was an epic adventure that turned out to be one of the most memorable family trips we’ve ever had. I wouldn’t call myself a New Zealand expert, but I did pick up a few useful lessons along the way. So if you’re like me, maybe nervous about driving, or wondering how to even start planning a trip in a country that’s huge and packed with things to see (especially if you’re covering both the North and South Islands), here are 10 things worth knowing before you go.
1) How do you go about planning your trip?
When we decided on New Zealand for our year-end family vacation, I did some online research but I got overwhelmed pretty quickly. NZ is huge and unlike the smaller cities and non-driving trips we've made like to Bali or Ipoh, which required less planning. So between figuring out routes, choosing tours, and debating whether we should drive, it felt like a lot. Since my girls were keen on visiting Lord of the Rings filming locations, I started by looking up LOTR-focused itineraries. There are plenty out there, and that’s how I stumbled upon First Light Travel, a local NZ agency. They offer sample itineraries ranging from a week to several weeks, whether you want a guided tour or a self-drive option.
If you don’t want to plan everything from scratch, a good starting point is to find an itinerary online that matches your interests, then tweak it to suit your needs. But if, like me, you don’t have the time or patience to book every hotel, rental car, tour and domestic flight while making sure all the dates line up, outsourcing to a travel agency can be a lifesaver. We found a 12-day LOTR scenic tour that matched what we wanted, then asked First Light Travel to adapt it into a 10-day version since we’d already booked our Singapore–Auckland flights. I also requested a few exclusions and mentioned our preference for mid-range hotels.
They got back quickly with a customised plan, and after a bit of back-and-forth on parts of the itinerary I wanted to tweak, we finalised the itinerary. Payment was due about two months before departure, but the sooner you can confirm and make payment, the sooner they can confirm all the bookings. In our case, there were a few hiccups— one hotel was fully booked and a tour date had to be shifted—but they handled the adjustments smoothly.
Here's sharing our simplified itinerary (the final itinerary is of course several pages long and more detailed than this):
For context, the local NZ bookings for our family of four (2 adults, 2 teens) came to around NZ$13,500, excluding international flights. That’s roughly in line with tour packages offered by agencies in Singapore (I had considered this option too), but the big difference was flexibility. Most Singapore-based tours weren’t LOTR-focused and felt more restrictive in terms of timing and sights.
So here’s my takeaway:
If you enjoy planning, start with sample itineraries online and customise from there.
If you’re short on time, a reputable local travel agency is worth the cost as they know the routes, timings, and logistics inside out, which saves you loads of hassle.
You can also use AI like ChatGPT or Copilot to plan your itinerary but double-check everything. I tried before I used First Light Travel and it occasionally got dates and availability wrong, so I wouldn’t rely on it 100%.
Overall, I was very satisfied with First Light Travel’s arrangements. The only thing I’d change next time is airport transfers. They had booked limo services for us, which was convenient, but I suspect we could have saved a bit by requesting we exclude this and arranging our own Uber rides which was easy enough in NZ cities.
2) What are the must visit places in New Zealand I should include?
Again, our itinerary is focused on LOTR and The Hobbit filming location and tours, so I've listed the LOTR/Hobbit-themed tours we went on, and other attractions worth visiting, though some of the attractions we visited on our own were also filming locations for the movies.
LOTR/Hobbit-themed tours:
i) Hobbiton Movie Set
If you’ve watched LOTR or The Hobbit, you’ll know Hobbiton is the Shire’s heart, home to Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, and those iconic hobbit holes. The movies were filmed right here in Matamata, New Zealand, and the set has been preserved as a permanent attraction. Whether you’re a Lord of the Rings fan or just love gorgeous scenery, this is one stop that makes any NZ trip unforgettable. Blog post here:
ii) Hairy Feet Scenic Film Location Tour
This tour at Mangaotaki Valley farm in Waitomo is a must-go for The Hobbit fans! It is the location for Trollshaws Forest where part of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was filmed. You might remember Trollshaws Forest, when Bilbo Baggins and the dwarves encounter the trolls. We enjoyed the tour so much, thanks to the very enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide and farm owner, Suzie! Instagram post here:
iii) Full day LOTR tour by Trails of Middle Earth and Pure Glenorchy Tours
One of the highlights of our New Zealand trip was the full day Lord of the Rings filming location tour in Queenstown, Glenorchy and Paradise in the south island. The scenery was so amazing you can really appreciate why NZ is Middle Earth. Our knowledgeable guides made a difference too, sharing behind-the-scenes tidbits, and costumes and weapon replicas for tour participants to cosplay in. We highly recommend this tour for LOTR fans! Instagram post here:
iv) Weta Workshop Wellington
Weta Workshop is the renowned creative studio behind the props, costumes and creatures for the LOTR films, and their guided tour provides behind-the-scenes looks at their work. Do note that that they do not allow photo taking for much of the tour, but it doesn't make it any less enjoyable as you can fully immerse yourself in the environment! Booking online is slightly cheaper than getting tickets at the door (adults at NZD60, children 5-14 years at NZD32, students at NZD55). Instagram post on Weta Workshop and Wellington sights here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTzr1yPkeU3/?img_index=1
Other notable attractions:
i) Te Puia Rotorua
Te Puia is a geothermal park with dramatic geysers, bubbling mud, Māori cultural experiences & a kiwi conservation centre. Entry only via guided tour. 90-minute guided experience at NZ$100 for adults, NZ$50 NZD for children (5-15), family of 2 adults & 2 children at NZ$270. Experience includes tour of geothermal valley, Kiwi Conservation Centre, and Arts & Crafts Institute. Instagram post here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DShSYjDkSW7/
ii) Tongariro National Park
New Zealand’s Tongariro National Park offers dramatic volcanic landscapes and breathtaking scenery, along with beginner‑friendly and family‑friendly walks that let you experience its beauty without the demands of more challenging hikes. Blog post here: https://www.vivianteo.com/post/tongariro-national-park-beginners-families-things-to-know-review
iii) Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown
Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown is the country's longest (over 80km) and third-largest lake famous for its crystal-clear water and surrounding mountains. You can't miss it when visiting Queenstown, a beautiful resort town in the south island known for its adventure sports and stunning scenery. Instagram post on Lake Wakatipu and sights in Queenstown here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUAjwOUETJM/?img_index=1
iv) Mount Eden in Auckland
Located near the city centre, Maungawhau or Mount Eden is a 196-metre-high dormant volcano. Featuring a 50-metre-deep crater, it is the highest natural point in Auckland. The view is spectacular and walk pretty easy but it can get very windy up there! Entry is free! Instagram post on Mt Eden and sights in Auckland here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUfczlNkXU7/?img_index=1
3) To drive or not to drive?
If you’re planning to explore beyond cities like Auckland or Wellington, driving really makes things easier. Most of New Zealand’s stunning scenery is outside the cities, and some spots are simply not accessible without a car. Within the cities, though, you don’t need to drive; public transport and Uber work well, and parking can be pricey. But if you want to see those epic landscapes (which I feel is the whole point of visiting NZ), driving is the way to go. The view at the countryside is also very beautiful and something you might not get to fully experience if you take domestic flights between cities.
My husband and I are both seasoned drivers in Singapore, but we did have some nerves before the trip. I’d never driven long distances overseas, and while he had driven in the US, he’d never done a road trip as long as the one we planned. In the end, we were pleasantly surprised. NZ roads were easy to navigate, especially outside the cities where traffic was light. Before we went, I also read up a bit on local road rules and signs, which helped.
For longer drives, it’s worth planning stops along the way. Even though we had an itinerary from our travel agent, we still looked up attractions and scenic spots en route, like during the four-hour drive from Tongariro National Park to Wellington. Google Maps was handy for spotting attractions, and you can also ask AI chat for suggestions on noteworthy stops and eateries. For instance, Huka Falls below was one of the beautiful attractions I found on Google Maps that was on our way from Rotorua to Tongariro National Park.
Stormy Point Lookout below is another place we stopped by during our drive from Tongariro to Wellington.
Generally, I think it's not necessary to drive in the cities in NZ as parking can get expensive and cities are well served by Uber. Outside of cities, it's actually a breeze to drive and quite often in small towns, parking is free.
But if you don’t drive, you’ve got options: day tours with transfers (Klook has plenty), or itineraries arranged by travel planners with private drivers (I believe First Light Travel offers those too). Just note that some tours with transfers can feel restrictive if they shuttle you back and forth from the city, meaning you miss out on gems along the way, like Tongariro National Park, which wouldn't have been as convenient to visit if we were shuttling between the main cities as it sits between Auckland and Wellington.
4) Should you only visit one island, or both the North and South?
There’s so much to see in New Zealand that you couldn’t cover it all even in a month. With just ten days, we felt like we were only skimming the surface at each stop. If we’d had more time, I would’ve loved to explore more like farms, outdoor obstacle courses, the luge, and even attempt the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing in the North Island. The South Island is just as packed with highlights, but with our limited time we only managed Queenstown and a few nearby towns on our tour. Driving between places also takes time, so you really have to factor that in.
If you’re planning to do both islands, I’d say give yourself at least ten days. It’s doable, but you’ll need to be selective about what you want to see.
My girls have already declared that we must go back to NZ, even if it’s not for LOTR filming sites the next time. I’d love to dedicate a full trip just to the South Island, with at least ten days to really soak it in.
5) When to visit?
I really loved the late spring weather when we visited in November. Temperatures were comfortably in the high teens to low 20s °C, which made it perfect for exploring. There were occasional showers, but the best part about spring and summer is the long daylight hours: the sun rises just after 5am and doesn’t set until around 9pm. That gives you loads of time to trek, sightsee and enjoy the scenery.
Summer (December–February) is said to be lovely too, but it’s also peak tourist season, so expect bigger crowds at popular attractions. Winter, on the other hand, can be tricky as icy roads and wet conditions aren’t ideal if you’re planning hikes or long drives.
If we head back to NZ, we’d definitely choose late spring again. The weather was comfortable, the days were long, and it felt like the perfect balance between enjoying the outdoors and avoiding the peak-season rush.
6) Is NZ suitable for young children?
Personally I feel that New Zealand is probably better suited for older kids than younger ones. If my girls had been younger, I don’t think they would’ve enjoyed all the trekking, scenery or the Lord of the Rings sites that were such a big part of our trip. At many of the attractions we visited, I also noticed there weren’t a lot of very young children around.
That said, there are definitely activities little ones can enjoy like farm visits, luge rides, outdoor obstacle courses, but overall, I do find that older kids tend to appreciate the landscapes more and have the patience for those long car rides between destinations.
7) Are things expensive in NZ?
One comment I often get when friends know we had visited NZ is that it's an "expensive" place to visit. With the SGD–NZD exchange rate, I found dining prices in New Zealand to be pretty similar to what you’d pay at cafes or restaurants in Singapore (of course, you won’t find Singapore hawker centre or kopitiam prices there). For instance, our meal of four ramen and a gyoza at Tanpopo, a Japanese restaurant in Auckland, cost a total of NZD92, which works out to around S$69, which I find is around the price for a similar meal in one of the better ramen places in Singapore.
Some things in NZ were actually cheaper than back home in Singapore like petrol, fresh fruits, supermarket groceries, and even books. For example, we picked up a collector’s edition of Sunrise on the Reaping for NZD50. In Singapore, the same edition costs SGD50, but thanks to the exchange rate, our NZ purchase worked out to about SGD38.
I think one of the reasons why things seem "expensive" in NZ is also because of its 15% GST, which is factored into final prices displayed by merchants. The good thing is the price you see is what you pay, so you don't have to add on the GST for the final price like we do in Singapore.
8) What are dining options like there?
In the major cities, you’ll find plenty of dining options, including a good variety of Asian food. Some of it was surprisingly authentic, thanks to being run by Asian immigrants. We didn’t go out of our way to hunt down “famous” eateries and instead, we stuck to our usual travel strategy: check Google Maps and Reviews for well-rated places near wherever we happened to be, whether it was close to an attraction or along the route to our next stop. In smaller towns, dining options can get a bit limited though.
Here's a place we found that was en route to Tongariro National Park from Rotorua - Hydro Eatery at Turangi.
9) Cash or credit card in NZ?
We brought less cash to New Zealand compared to trips to places like Indonesia or Malaysia, assuming that a developed country would mostly run on credit cards. And yes, most places do accept cards, but what surprised us was that quite a few add a surcharge of 1-2%. The machines or counters will usually display this, so you’ll know before you tap.
So I would advise carrying a bit more cash for dining or buying souvenirs if you’d rather avoid the surcharge. That said, not every place charges extra for card payments, so just keep an eye out for the signs at the counter.
That said, if you're from Singapore, I've been recommending Trust Bank’s credit card for overseas trips in my travel posts. It’s a collaboration between Standard Chartered and FairPrice Group, and it’s great because it has zero foreign transaction fees, not even Visa charges. There are other options like YouTrip, Revolut, Wirex and Wise, but most of those are prepaid or debit cards, so you’ll need to top them up before use. More deets about using this card in my Osaka post here.
10) Anything to note when going through NZ customs?
One important thing to know: New Zealand requires visitors to apply for the NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority), even if you’re from visa-free countries like Singapore. I only realised this two days before our flight and panicked a little when I saw approval could take anywhere from minutes to 72 hours. My girls’ applications were approved almost instantly, but my husband’s and mine stayed “pending” right up until we landed in Auckland.
From what I read online, some travellers from the US have even been denied boarding when their NZeTA wasn’t approved in time, while others said customs weren’t too strict as long as they had applied. The general vibe I got that is that so long as you have applied, the customs are not going to be too strict about it. Still, to be safe, I’d recommend applying at least a week before your trip.
Another thing NZ customs is strict about is food and medication. I’d say don’t bring any food at all, not even leftover biscuits from your flight meal. For medication, check the rules carefully. Prescribed meds over a three-month supply need to be declared, and it’s best to keep everything properly labelled. We brought some general meds and supplements, packed them neatly in a clear plastic bag, and declared them even though they are less than a three-month supply. The officer asked what we had, and he later put us through to a lane which didn't require any checking of our luggage. (Maybe seeing that we're a familly with children, we don't seem suspicious at all?) Overall, I think it's better to just declare if you have meds and supplements, if not you risk a fine for not declaring items that are not allowed.
OK, this is my last post on New Zealand! This was such an amazing and memorable trip for my family and I definitely hope we'd get to return to NZ again! For more pics and vids, do see the IG posts and Stories on my Instagram page!
Disclaimer: We paid for our trip. As always, all opinions are ours.
©Vivian Teo. All content and photos are copyrighted to Vivian Teo unless otherwise specified.
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