When planning a family trip there are lots of things to consider in order to make sure everyone is happy, and you have a fun trip that will bring you closer together, and give you stories to share for a lifetime.
The first step is deciding on a location, and due to travel bans, this year travelling locally is the only way to do it. Luckily, for us in New Zealand, The North Island is infamous for its stunning landscapes, enchanting forests, beautiful beaches and incredible national parks. It’s the perfect place for a staycation!
Glamping is the new travel trend and is the perfect way to enjoy your family holiday closer to home. It gives families who like the idea of camping a chance to live out their dreams of exploring the outdoors without sacrificing their everyday comforts. There are options for everyone, and one of the benefits of glamping is that everything is already there for you. No need to bring your sleeping bags, or hot water bottles, just book your stay and enjoy.
1. SOCIAL NATURE MOVEMENT Backyard GLAMPING
A novel night outside under the stars with friends, family and loved ones AT HOME. Make magical memories with our full setup and styling service. Campsites and holiday parks are always busy and full with chaos. With Backyard Glamping, you control the noise and naughtiness, deciding who camps and how many for how long.
2. Cute and Distinct Hobbit Accommodations in Hills of Waitomo, New Zealand
This cute Hobbit House in the hills of Waitomo is the perfect place for the whole family. This self contained unique home sleeps up to 6 with 1 queen bed, living area, large bathroom and kitchenette. There is a separate bedroom with 4 large single beds, perfect for families to relax and give the kids a space of their own. It also has a BBQ and an outdoor dining area to enjoy a fun evening meal together.
Activities for the family at the property
You can enjoy hiking or wildlife watching, and the property has a unique stage arena for shows and music to keep you entertained during your stay.
Things to do in the area
Waitomos famous GlowWorm caves are 2 minutes from this cozy hobbit house, where you and the family can take part in a cave tour and discover a 30 million year old cave with real magic and adventure.
If that isn’t enough for you, the host of this property can also help organise Blackwater Rafting, (like white water rafting but in caves!) kayaking, abseiling and horseback riding. Only 2 hours from Auckland this hobbit house is a great place to get out of the city and create some life long memories!
3. Charming Safari Tent Rental Situated near New Plymouth, North Island
This luxury safari tent is located in a working farm near New Plymouth and is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors with the family. Sleeping up to 4 guests, it has a King size bed and can add additional beds for the kids. This safari tent comes with a living area, bathroom, private deck and lawn, but the best part is the luxury outdoor bath!
Activities for the family at the property
Feeding and petting the animals on the farm is a big attraction for this safari tent, you can also go wildlife watching, hiking, fishing, swimming by the creek, enjoy a BBQ on the deck and also spend time in the games room, complete with a ping pong table.
Things to do in the area
This cool safari tent is close to several rivers and lakes which offer swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and river rafting. It’s also only 15 minutes away from New Plymouth’s picturesque coast which has more exciting options such as surfing, shopping, museums as well as lots of restaurants and bars to visit.
Staying inland, families can explore nature trails, mountain biking, horseback riding, and visit Egmont National Park which is under one hour away by car, and has the active but dormant stratovolcano Mount Taranaki!
Find out more about this property here.
4. Peaceful Taiharuru Accommodation Ideal for Weekend Getaways from Auckland
Just half an hour from Whangarei, this gorgeous luxury cabin is ideal for 4 guests (cosy for 5) to enjoy your next family getaway. With 2 bedrooms, a lounge, modern kitchen, and a private deck that looks out onto Kauri Mountain, Ocean Beach, Whangarei Heads, and Mt Manaia! Completely remote, it’s great for a luxury hotel style stay in the middle of the countryside.
Activities for the family at the property
Wildlife watching, (wild kiwis have been spotted here and you can hear them at night!) The host is a former JSMEL mountain expedition leader so guests can experience hiking, boat tours, kayaking, paddle boarding, you simply need to speak to the host.
Things to do in the area
This luxury cabin is surrounded by countryside and has a number of beaches around. It is close to Parua Bay which offers a variety of restaurants and shops and is also only 30 minutes from Whangarei, which is famous for its national park, where families can take part in lots of different excursions including a walk along the famous Bridge to Nowhere and jet-boating.
Find out more about this property here.
5. Luxury Camping Yurt with a Hot Tub near the Bay of Plenty, North Island
This luxury 7 meter yurt is the ultimate glamping experience. Situated on an avocado orchard with a walkway to a private beach, it is great for a mixture of a nature stay and beach holiday, things the whole family can enjoy. The stylish yurt has a king-size bed in the main living area, and bunk beds are found behind a dividing screen. It also comes with a pizza oven, BBQ, private deck and spa pool.
Activities for the family at the property
Wildlife watching, either at the duck pond, or whale and dolphin watching at the beach, swimming, surfing, kayaking or relaxing at the spa giving you and your family plenty to do without leaving the yard.
Things to do in the area
This yurt is close to beaches and forests so you and the family can either spend the day lounging in the sun, or trekking through woodlands. Moutohora Island or Whale Island are not far and can be reached by kayak or catamara where you can organise a guided tour to see its active volcano. Or you visit a local pick-you-own berry farm near the Bay of Plenty. And finally, Te Urewera National Park and Whirinaki Forest are a great place to visit for a hiking trip too!
Find out more about this property here.
6. Comfortable Cabin on a Farm in Tirau, North Island, New Zealand
The beautiful secluded cabin is located on a working dairy farm in Tirau, and is a great option for a family glamping trip. It’s modern design is perfect to help you relax whilst the kids can enjoy running around in the countryside. The cabin sleeps 6 comfortably, with 2 king beds and 2 twin singles, a bathroom, modern kitchen, living room, private deck and patio. This is great for the teenagers as well as the younger kids. If you’re interested in cabin vacation with the family, you can learn Everything about cabins here.
Activities for the family at the property
Explore the farm! The hosts welcome you to have a look around and enjoy the views as well as getting to know the animals.
Things to do in the area
This cabin is only a short drive from Lake Karapiro, which is famous for its world-class rowing competitions. You and your family can enjoy the lake through a variety of activities such as canoeing, kayaking, yachting, waterskiing and wakeboarding.
It’s also 10 minutes drive from the Hobbiton Movie set, where you can visit for a tour and check out the hobbit homes, similar to our first option in this list.
Mountain Maunganui beach and Rotorua are both 45 minutes away and could make a great trip to explore the mountain, lakes, mud pools, and hot springs.
Find more about this property here.
More camping from tots to teens:
Packing List For Camping With Kids
