with Renee
It’s been a busy month of travel for me – making up for lost time like many. So, with a short gap back at home after my Viking Cruise I jetted off with the family for a holiday to New Zealand.

This trip was my children’s first ever overseas holiday, what better place for a first-time overseas adventure than New Zealand? New Zealand offers the perfect backdrop for a family adventure, with the stunning scenery, new experiences and a touch of culture, without being too overwhelming.

New Zealand might seem like a small country, but it is packed with adventure for the whole family. I would recommend taking a few weeks if you are wanting to explore both islands at a leisurely pace. We had a 12-night break, so for this journey we focused on the North Island only.

First stop on our adventure was Wellington. The Te Papa Museum is one the best museums I have ever been to, particularly for kids, with many interactive activities; they even have an earthquake room for you to experience what an earthquake feels like!

We stayed at the Movenpick Wellington Hotel, and it will forever hold a place in my eldest daughter’s heart, with a daily chocolate-hour serving an ‘all you can eat’ chocolate buffet, and unlimited ice cream for kids during their stay. Unsurprisingly, she has become a loyal fan of Movenpick Hotels!

Next stop: two nights at the snow. This was the first time my girls have been to the snow. It was a perfect family experience – we spent the day having snowball fights, building snowmen, making snow angels and tobogganing. 

On leaving Mount Ruapehu, we headed to Rotorua, travelling through Taupo for a quick visit to the Huka Falls and the world’s only McDonalds with seating in an aeroplane. In Rotorua we visited the Hell’s Gate mud baths, which the girls loved! They smothered themselves in mud and had a fantastic time! We attended a Haka and Hangi evening at the Matai Maori Village, it was the perfect experience for the kids to experience the cultural side of NZ. We then visited the Skyline Luge for the famous gondola and luge experience.

On the way to Auckland, we stopped for a tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. It was amazing to see the where parts of the movie were filmed and to have a drink at The Green Dragon Inn.

Last stop on our adventure was Auckland. Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium was very interesting, the kids loved colouring and creating their own fish to come to life on a big screen, and learn about the penguins. Of course, a visit to Auckland is never complete without seeing the stunning views over the city from the Sky Tower.

The family memories made on this trip will last a lifetime. The joy of seeing their eyes light up at the pancake served to them at breakfast, or their excitement at going for a late-night swim in the hotel pool way past their bedtime, their laughter as they draped themselves in mud or their excited faces as they saw snow for the first time.

PHOTO COMPETITION AND TRAVEL EXPO!
Final Entries for Calendar Photo Competition Due By 24th of October!

We are delighted to be hosting two Travel Expos at Travelling Places on the 4th of November and the 2nd of December! We will be joined by the representatives of some amazing companies- come along for drinks, nibbles and to hear all about their fabulous products!

4th of November
2:00PM – VIKING CRUISES
2:30PM – VIVA
3:00PM – PONANT CRUISES
3:30PM – PRINCESS CRUISES

2nd of December – to be announced

Please RSVP to travel@travellingplaces.com.au or call (07) 5545 1600. Let us know which session/s you would like to come to!