Family Travel NZ

15/07/2022

Stunning drive along the Desert Road, heading towards Taupo.

15/07/2022

Long State Highway 2, not too far from Hastings, is the Pekapeka Regional Park.

This restored wetlands is home to a range of native birds and the graceful black swans.

Take the kids, back a picnic and enjoy an easy walk along the boardwalk.

23/03/2022

It has been strange few weeks while writing about travelling around NZ.

The decision to fly Air New Zealand rather than drive from Christchurch to Invercargill came down to two things. First how long it would take to drive? Second, how safe I’d be with COVID around?

I chose to fly because it saved hours of driving and secondly it gave me longer to enjoy Invercargill. It’s also about feeling safe with your choices you make when travelling and I did feel safe flying.

So yes, I did fly and now I’m enjoying a coffee at the lovely The Cheeky Llama Cafe in Queens Park. Did I mention it was 26C when I arrived! Sadly weather changed and now 18C!

23/03/2022

I couldn’t think of a better way to see city than with a tram ride.

The ride took 50 minutes to do the complete circuit. I loved the face that you could get off and on and explore Christchurch Attractions .

Today was over casted so not an ideal day to head up the gondola.

So, the decision was to relax and take the Christchurch Tramway. For those visiting the city it’s a great way of seeing the heart of the city.

Next time it will be the gondola for me.

15/03/2022

I love the ruggedness of this part of the North Island. If out this way visiting the then you’ll also see the seal colony at Palliser Bay.

At this time of year the pups can be seen hanging out with the older seals.

There are no fences to prevent you from getting closer but that isn’t a good idea. Keep a minimum of 15 metres from the seals.

If traveling with your dog then keep them in the car.

12/03/2022

The Cape Palliser Lighthouse. With over 250 steps and yes, they are as steep as they look!

10/03/2022

Loved visiting Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre this morning. Perfect stop for families but sorry no dogs allowed. Allow at least a couple of hours to enjoy the walk and enjoy refreshments at the Kaka Cafe when your finished.

09/03/2022

We need your help!

Can you tell us of your favourite Kiwi dog- friendly cafe?

We are looking at featuring the cafe in our first issue of the Family Travel NZ digital (online) magazine due out in June 2022.

05/03/2022

02/03/2022

Cafe and hospitality businesses are really suffering at the moment. So stop and have a coffee or spend the night.

They need you more than ever.

Normally this car park is full.

25/11/2021

Brunch anyone? Martinborough Hotel

19/11/2021

Very excited that my 2nd book has now arrived.

Originally published in 2008. It’s almost totally rewritten to meet the changed destinations and activities, plus an increase in the age range to 0 to 16 years.

I hope it will make planning a holiday or a day out with the family fun and more enjoyable .

Activities are listed geographically from the top of the North Island to Stewart Island. Features 26 regions across New Zealand. Each region has a top 5, making 130 top picks in total.

It can be used so the whole family can plan a family holiday together, or kept in the glove box of the car for road trips.

Focuses on catering for both rainy and sunny days or anything in between.

With summer and holidays almost here, fingers crossed, I hope you enjoy it. Available at book stores.

19/11/2021

Exciting to see a new playground being built in Lyndhurst. The link is well worth reading for those that want to know more about Laurie Cooke. The park is named after him.

A new playground is to be built in Lyndhurst named after well-known local nurseryman Lawrie Cooke, and with equipment that celebrates the area's horticultural history. Read more https://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/home/article/2214/-new-lyndhurst-playground-pays-homage-to-hastings-nurseryman-lawrie-cooke?t=featured&s=1

15/11/2021

While visiting Te Papa we took in the World War One exhibit. You have to allow time to slowly walk through. Take time to listen and read the stories of these soldiers. Lest we forget

15/11/2021

Te Papa a must for anyone visiting WellingtonNZ. I love how you can learn so much whether it’s our natural history or about New Zealand and it’s people.

15/11/2021

Loving Wellington Zoo today. Lots of mums with their toddlers enjoying the animals

06/11/2021

04/11/2021

Great to see maintenance almost done. Great way to see the Whanganui River

𝗣𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲!

On the high tide at 10.59am, Friday 5 November 2021 our paddle steamer will move from Kowhai Park where she has been undergoing her Out of Water Survey, back to the Riverboat Centre wharf where the remainder of her maintenance will be completed for our season start on the 27 November 2021.

Great to see the fire set in her boiler today as volunteers John and Kerry prepare for tomorrow’s launching.

We offer huge thanks and acknowledge the significant input of our volunteer team who have worked on the the Out of Water Survey project as their input keeps the Waimarie operating.⚓️

28/10/2021

I know there will be a few families disappointed with the latest Splash Planet news

It is with great sadness that Council made the hard decision today not to open Splash Planet this summer. With public safety the highest priority, the health risk associated with COVID-19 was considered just too high. Read more https://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/home/article/2185/public-health-risks-too-great-to-open-splash-planet-this-summer?t=featured&s=1

27/10/2021

Coming very soon … just in time for summer holidays. Keeping my fingers crossed 🤞 on that front

Excited to be supporting Kiwi tourism businesses

19/09/2021

An hour from Masterton, in the Wairarapa, is Castlepoint. This seaside village provides some great walking along a sandy beach up to the lighthouse. For those who love surfing there’s a great place to surf within the lagoon.

The road out there is windy. Not the ideal road for those with kids who get car sick as there aren’t many places to let faster drivers pass you. But all that aside it’s brilliant.

Make sure that during cooler months to bring a wind breaker as the sea breeze can be cool.

15/09/2021

We are excited to let you know that we will be relaunching our digital magazine in November.

What would be your number destination in New Zealand you would like to include when we relaunch?

19/12/2020

Whanganui River: A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to enjoy a family outing on one of Whanganui’s restored paddle steamers My great-grandfather was the skipper on several of the Paddle Steamer including the Waimarie. These steamers would take tourist up the Whanganui river. The cruise is ideal for children of school age or older.

20/11/2020

Just love the dog-sitters at the Matakana Village Farmers Market . Enjoy exploring the market while your four-legged family member meets some new friends

13/11/2020

Art - Brick Bay Sculpture Trail: Snells Beach (50km north of Auckland )

We took about an hour to walk around the Brick Bay Wines and Sculpture Trail. It was wonderful.

My favorite piece of art was Virginia King’s Aetherium Ancestral Vale which looked like ghost Kauri. These sculptures appeared to float in the air, as if ascending to the heavens.

07/11/2020

Cafe: Matakana/Omaha
One of my favorite cafes with indoor and outdoor seating is Bramble Cafe. The cafe is located at the Matakana Country Park with lots of car park spaces. The farm park also has a large children’s playground, mini train rides and bicycle hire.

05/11/2020

Family and dog friendly:
If your visiting the Matakana/Warkworth region for a day trip or weekend then check out Brick Bay Wines and Sculpture Trail . The food is delicious and plenty of room for the family to run around and stretch their legs.

I love the fact they are dog-friendly too. Only request is that when booking that you note that you are coming with your dog. This is because dogs aren’t allowed in the main building. Oh and as always please make sure they are in their lead.

03/11/2020

Well Covid has definitely thrown up something that I didn’t expect.

Just got off the phone from my publisher, looks like there will be a second edition of “Where Shall We Take The Kids? A NZ guide to traveling with children in New Zealand“

I’ll keep you posted.

08/09/2020

It has been a long time between posts. Posting from beautiful . My children are now all adults, last one just turned 20.

I was thinking that it might be time to close down Kids Friendly Travel. However, someone mentioned more than ever that tourism business need a voice to let people know that they are out there.

What do you think? Would you like to see great places to visit with your family?

Currently the website is down.
Kids Friendly Travel was an online magazine around ten years ago. Was a member of the New Zealand Magazine Publishers Association. From that magazine, the book “Where shall we take the kids?” was published by New Holland Publishers. It’s editor, Gaye Miller, appeared on TVNZ breakfast show and local NZ radio stations.

01/11/2017

Hi all

Are you able to help me.

I’m starting to write my next travel book and looking for people to interview who do Airbnb or Bookabach or are wanting about to do so. Can you pass this message on to them.

Also what’s one thing you had when staying at visitor accommodation that you put you off the place?

20/06/2017

Matakana: Just in the process of being built, The Loft at The Grove Matakana will be available by Christmas 2017. Family friendly it is set in an olive grove just minutes drive to Matakana Farmers Market and Warkworth.

13/07/2016

Lake Wanaka

Just in time for the school holidays!!!

Let it snow let it snow let it snow... Cardrona Alpine Resort, NZ

19/06/2016

Destination: Matakana (Nth Is) driving down to Matakana Village this morning. Magical!

18/06/2016

Detination: Tekapo (Sth Is) This must be one of the coolest places to visit in winter. Curling with the family, followed by a soak in the hot pools. Add to that the fact they are family friendly; family changing room, all day pass.

We love the fact that their children ages range from 3 years to 15 years of age. Note: infants 3 and under need to wear aqua nappies if entering the pools. These are available Tekapo Springs Hot Pools.

If you are pregnant then they recommend not going in to pools that are 37.5C or over.

See this iconic shot of Tekapo? Pretty soon you'll be able to take this photo too. More details coming soon-all I can say is….GET EXCITED!

tag a friend who'd love this view (y)

18/06/2016

Destination: Snells Beach, less than an hour from Auckland. Brick Bay Wines and Sculpture Trail the food is amazing here, but I bet mums and dads will love taking the kids on the sculpture trail. Long enough to be fun and a pleasure for adults as well as the kids.

We are proud to now be serving our own lamb, seen here in our spiced lamb meatballs ( #📷 via )