I traveled to New Zealand with my family in December 2025 for 16 days, covering both the North and South Islands. This was a long-anticipated trip—our first family adventure since before COVID. We opted out of difficult hikes and instead focused on easily accessible nature and cities like Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Mount Cook, and Lake Tekapo. New Zealand is perfect for road trips, especially in the South Island where the nature is breathtaking. In this post, I share my thoughts on planning a relaxed, easy-going family trip to New Zealand.
How We Approached the Trip
We limited our driving to no more than 4 hours per day—anything more was too draining. For attractions, we focused on famous viewpoints like Queenstown downtown and easy hikes within 1–2 hours, such as Mount Eden in Auckland, plus a few interesting spots in the cities. We were keen to visit both the North and South islands within 16 days, which was quite a lot to cover.
We weren’t picky with food, but we mostly ate New Zealand staples—steak, fish, and bread—just to experience it. The cuisine is similar to Western and Australian food, but I found the red meat tasted more organic and lacked the bold, wild flavor common in USA red meat. When we craved Asian dishes, they were easy to find. We always grabbed breakfast from the supermarket. Prices were high, but there’s no tipping culture, so overall it was within my expectations.
Lastly, we stayed almost entirely in Airbnb just to experience the architecture there.
North Island vs South Island — The Difference
The North Island felt very urban—Auckland had the strongest city vibe. Mount Eden was a nice touch though: a short hike that offers a sweeping view of the city. We skipped the more famous nature sites since they would have required longer drives that didn’t fit our schedule. The North Island offered history (Auckland Museum, Whakarewarewa Maori Village), lakes (Taupo Lakefront Reserve), and gardens (Waipahihi Botanical Reserve)—it had a polished, man-made feel. Not bad, just more refined.
The South Island, on the other hand, felt more “wild.” Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, and Queenstown (the adventure capital of the world) were stunning—especially Lake Tekapo with its beautiful blue water. I wrote more here how I spent 8 days in New Zealand South Island with family and what I’d do differently next time.
Highlights That Actually Stuck With Me
- Auckland was the most polished city, but it still did not feel as grand as a major metropolis in the USA. It had a sleepy vibe—shops closed early (cafe closed at 3pm!). The downtown harbor area was lovely, and the community felt very peaceful. Honestly, I quite like this city.
- Lake Tekapo was truly amazing—the first time I felt I was in the New Zealand, the water was so blue that it is comparable to the Pacific Northwest.
- Lots of tourists everywhere. Surprisingly many from Singapore (based on accents) and plenty of Chinese and Korean visitors too. My guess is that New Zealand is a close enough nature destination from these Asian countries.
- The Queenstown/Wanaka area was stunning, full of adrenaline-rushing activities like bungle jumping and sky gliding. The South Island draws huge tourist crowds during this season.
- New Zealand food was meat-focused, organic, and healthy, however portions were smaller than in the USA. Asian food in New Zealand was less “Americanized,” but still not the most authentic I have had.
- Airbnb require careful vetting—some really were not worth the price for the space you get. While we have had some very good ones in Wanaka (a huge house with a garden) for about $400 SGD a night. Queenstown was however really expensive but had the best town-nature integration.
- Sunlight is intense! Protect yourself from sunburn.
- Cows, sheep, and even elk were everywhere during our road trip—in fields, along roads, even in parks. The classic New Zealand scenery.
What I Skipped (And Why That Was Fine)
Looking at my itinerary, you will notice I skipped many classic New Zealand destinations—Milford Sound, Tongariro National Park, and the Hobbiton Movie Set, to name a few. The biggest constraint was traveling with family. We did not want exhausting hikes or long drives, and we wanted to experience both the North and South Islands. I felt good about our choices because Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Auckland, and Mount Cook were representative enough for a first, relaxed visit to New Zealand. Sure, there are more breathtaking sceneries if we hiked more, but our itinerary was good enough without wearing ourselves out.
If I were to make an adjustment it would be to spend even less time in North Island, skipping the gardens and lakes, because I am a huge nature junkie and South Island is great for that.
Who This Trip Is Perfect For
New Zealand is ideal for families seeking a relaxed pace, as well as solo travelers and couples who want a calm, nature-filled vacation. The country offers world-class natural scenery—pristine lakes, dramatic mountains, and accessible trails. The cities and towns are pleasant and functional, but they are not the main draw. If you are planning a trip, I will recommend prioritizing nature over urban exploration. Pack plenty of water and sunscreen—the UV levels are intense, especially in summer. If you enjoy outdoor activities without extreme difficulty, appreciate stunning landscapes, and do not mind driving through countryside dotted with sheep and cows, New Zealand will not disappoint.