12-Day Family Trip to New Zealand
Parents, how to travel with kids in New Zealand? Visit Hobbiton, see glowworms, experience farm fun, and have a chance to meet blue-eyed penguins!
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New Zealand is located in the South Pacific Ocean 🌊, with a rich history and picturesque scenery. From the spectacular Milford Sound 🏞️ to the adventure capital of Queenstown 🏙️, it truly lives up to its reputation as the land of the long white cloud. Come here and experience purity and fantasy!
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🚩Itinerary:
D1: Various places ✈️ Shanghai, gather and prepare to depart.
D2-D3: Shanghai ✈️ Auckland, visit the ninth wonder of the world, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, experience the Hobbit movie scenes, and head to the geothermal city of Rotorua.
D4: Rotorua 🚌 Agrodome, get close to nature, then return to Auckland and upgrade to a 5-star hotel for a rest.
D5-D7: Auckland ✈️ Christchurch, visit the seal habitat and whale-watching town of Kaikoura, go whale watching, check in at the landmark Church of the Good Shepherd and internet-famous store, and head to the Dark Sky Reserve.
D8-D9: Tour the towns around Tekapo, hike in Mount Cook National Park, experience a helicopter snow landing, watch little penguins return to their nests, then head to Oamaru, Moeraki Boulders, and finally arrive at the holiday destination of Queenstown.
D10: Free day in Queenstown, enjoy the thrill of extreme sports.
D11-D12: Queenstown ✈️ Auckland ✈️ Shanghai ✈️ various places, end the pleasant trip to New Zealand.
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**Must-visit attractions**:
**Hobbiton⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐**
Address: 501 Buckland Rd, Hinuera, Matamata 3472, New Zealand
Opening hours: 09:00-17:00
Duration: 3-4 hours
Visit the filming location of "The Lord of the Rings," stroll along the mountain paths of Hobbiton, feel like you're in a fairy tale world, enjoy the magnificent scenery, and it's a great choice for family trips!
**Agrodome⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐**
Address: 141 Western Rd, Ngongotaha, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
Opening hours: 09:00-17:00
Duration: 1-2 hours
At Agrodome, interact closely with adorable animals, visit the orchard, enjoy family time, and have endless fun!
**Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐**
Address: Waterfront Rd, South Hill, Oamaru 9400
Opening hours: 10:00-19:00
Duration: 2-3 hours
At Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony, you can watch the heartwarming scene of blue penguins returning to their nests up close, perfect for family visits to experience the charm of nature!
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🧳 Travel checklist: Must-have items for a trip to New Zealand
📞 SIM card:
Don't forget to prepare a New Zealand SIM card in advance for easy communication and internet access. Check which package suits you.
🔌 Plug adapter:
The plug type in New Zealand may be different from yours, so remember to bring an adapter for charging.
🪪 Documents:
Passport, visa, driver's license (if you plan to drive), make sure to bring important documents, and make a few copies for backup.
👕 Clothing and gear:
December in New Zealand is a bit chilly, so bring a warm jacket, windbreaker, and comfortable shoes for exploring nature.
🔋 Chargers and power banks:
Make sure your phone and camera batteries are fully charged, and bring a power bank to keep capturing exciting moments.
💊 Medicine:
Bring some common medicine, such as cold medicine, painkillers, and band-aids, just in case.
🕶️ Personal items:
Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat, as New Zealand has good sunshine, so make sure to protect yourself.
That's it! Get ready, and New Zealand is waiting for you to explore!
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New Zealand, a dreamland that makes you reluctant to leave, is waiting for you to leave your footprints and start your own magical journey!
Taking photos is not allowed in the conservation center, and the flash will affect the penguins returning to their nests. The little penguins are so cute that we bought penguin dolls after seeing them. The quality of tourists is not very good, mainly Asian tourists. They always break the rules of keeping quiet and not using mobile phones.
The Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony is a delightful destination for wildlife enthusiasts, offering the chance to observe the world’s smallest penguins in their natural habitat. Located in Oamaru, New Zealand, the colony is dedicated to the conservation of these adorable creatures.Visitors can enjoy an evening viewing experience as the penguins return from the sea at dusk. The sight of them waddling up the beach and into their burrows is truly charming.
Admission starts at about 8:30. You can only see penguins at around 10 o'clock. Penguins are very small. You are not allowed to take photos on the stands. It is better to bring binoculars. Otherwise, you may not be able to see them clearly. We only stayed until about 10 o'clock because we had to hurry. Driving at night...so there was no way. You can often see penguins on the road after sunset. It depends on luck. If you haven't seen them, it's not bad to come and see them. But it's very windy at night, so wear more clothes and bring a cushion. It will feel a bit cold if you sit for a long time.
Oamaruland Penguin Conservation Center, where tens of thousands of wolf penguins live, this is a very rare species in the penguin family. People are not allowed to visit the island, and can only watch them from a distance from the observation platform. They are densely packed on the entire beach, which is really spectacular.
The penguin watching started at 8pm. The penguins returned to their nests and passed right in front of us. To protect the penguins from being scared, we were not allowed to take photos. We could only watch. It was really cute to see the cute little penguins coming back one after another. Wear more clothes. We booked VIP seats and were given blankets to keep warm. It was quite cold at night. We watched for about an hour and left reluctantly when the last batch of penguins came ashore. It was very convenient to book tickets on Ctrip and the ticket inspection was also smooth.
Blue penguins are now endangered protected animals. The Blue Penguin Conservation Center in Oamaru was built to protect them. You can only watch blue penguins from a distance and not get close. Climbing up the observation deck of the conservation center, you can see many blue penguins living on the coast not far away. They are very cute. I really hope to have a close contact with them one day.
Personally, I think it is worth visiting. Remember to make an appointment in advance, otherwise you may not be able to buy tickets on site. By the way, you are not allowed to take photos or film during the visit, and the staff will remind tourists many times.