Three generations, one vehicle and very different ideas of a good day. How to plan South Island touring that works for everyone, from the youngest to the eldest.
New Zealand's South Island suits family travel beautifully, especially on a private tour, where one vehicle keeps three generations together and the day can bend around naps, snacks and slower walkers. With Canterbury Trails, children aged 2 to 12 travel at half the adult rate and under-twos travel free, and the best family days blend short walks, wildlife and unhurried breaks.
The challenge with family travel is rarely the destination. It is finding a pace and a plan that suit a seven-year-old, their parents and their grandparents on the same day. Here is how to get it right.
Why private touring works for families
On a private tour, the vehicle, the guide and the timetable belong to your family. Nobody is waiting on another group, and nobody feels they are holding anyone up. If the youngest needs a break or the eldest would rather sit out a walk, the day simply adjusts.
A good guide becomes part of the trip too: spotting a kea for the children, sharing the history the adults came for, and knowing where the clean facilities and the good ice cream are. Keeping everyone in one vehicle also means the stories and the jokes are shared, which is half of what families remember.
Pacing a day for every generation
- Keep drives short. With young children, plan no more than an hour or two between stops.
- Mix the energy. Pair a short walk or a wildlife encounter with a slower stop, such as a café, a garden or a lookout.
- Protect the afternoon. Younger children and older travellers both tire by mid-afternoon, so make the most of the morning.
- Build in a quiet day. On a longer trip, one rest day in the middle keeps the whole party cheerful.
Family favourites from Christchurch
- Akaroa and its alpacas. A visit to an alpaca farm above Akaroa Harbour is a reliable favourite with children, and a harbour cruise offers the chance to see Hector's dolphins.
- The International Antarctic Centre. Near Christchurch Airport, it brings the frozen continent to life for curious minds of every age.
- Wildlife parks. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and Orana Wildlife Park, both on the edge of the city, offer a good chance of seeing kiwi and other native species.
- The TranzAlpine. Children love a train, and the TranzAlpine train and nature walk pairs the rail journey into the mountains with an easy walk.
- Christchurch itself. Punting on the Avon, the Botanic Gardens and the Margaret Mahy Family Playground make for a relaxed city day.
Further afield
For families with more time, Kaikōura adds seals on the rocks beside the coast road and the chance to see whales, while the journey south to Aoraki/Mount Cook offers some of the easiest big-mountain walks in the country, including the largely flat Hooker Valley Track with its swing bridges. Queenstown and its lakes round off a longer trip with gentle lakeside walks and grand scenery. Our Kaikōura tours are a good first step beyond the city.
Practical details for family travel
- Child rates. Children aged 2 to 12 travel at half the adult rate on every Canterbury Trails tour. Under-twos travel free, and guests aged 13 and over pay the adult rate.
- Car seats. New Zealand law requires children to use an approved child restraint until their seventh birthday. Tell us your children's ages when you enquire so the right seats are in the vehicle, and bring your own seat for infants under two.
- Winding roads. Alpine passes can unsettle young stomachs. A seat near the front and a window slightly open both help.
- Layers for everyone. Mountain weather changes quickly, and children feel the cold sooner than adults.
For how private touring is priced, including for families, see our guide to what a private tour of New Zealand costs.
Travelling with grandparents
The South Island's energetic reputation can leave older travellers wondering whether its scenery is really for them. It is. Many of the finest views are a short, level walk from the vehicle, and a private day can be built entirely around what everyone can comfortably manage. Our guide to gentle touring at an unhurried pace covers the best easy walks and how to plan around them.
Common questions
Is New Zealand's South Island good for families?
Yes. The South Island offers wildlife, short scenic walks, train journeys and farm visits that suit children, alongside history and scenery for adults. Private touring makes it especially easy to pace a day for every generation.
Do children travel at a reduced rate on Canterbury Trails tours?
Yes. Children aged 2 to 12 travel at half the adult rate on every tour, children under two travel free, and guests aged 13 and over pay the adult rate.
Do children need car seats on tours in New Zealand?
New Zealand law requires children to use an approved child restraint until their seventh birthday. Share your children's ages when you enquire so the right seats can be fitted, and bring your own seat for infants under two.
What are the best family day trips from Christchurch?
Akaroa, with its alpaca farm and harbour cruises, is a favourite. The TranzAlpine train, the International Antarctic Centre and the wildlife parks at Willowbank and Orana are also popular with children.
Every family is different, so private days are shaped around yours. Browse our private day tours, or tell us who is travelling and we will suggest days that work for every generation.
