Luxury Escapes for All the Family

By Travel New Zealand —— Bio and Archives February 22, 2017

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Multi-generational travel is a growing trend. Grandparents, mom and dad and the kids are taking the time to visit new places and spend quality family time together. When it comes to travelling in a family group, often a key element to success (and peace and quiet) is to include activities to suit everyone. Luckily, in New Zealand, you can do this in style by booking luxury accommodation with memorable experiences tailored for the whole family.

Treetops Lodge & Estate, Rotorua

Billed as a “natural theme park,” Treetops is set on a 2500-hectare estate with a primordial native forest where you’ll encounter wild deer and water buffalo. The renowned “Five Star Kids” program includes everything from horse treks to high-tech treasure hunts using GPS equipment, but the most popular activity is the Junior Master Chef session. Kids aged five to 11 don their own chef’s jacket and join the lodge’s executive chef to learn to make dishes using ingredients grown on the property, such as lavender, dill and native turutu blueberries. Culinary-minded youth, adults and grandparents can join the lodge’s half-day wild food cooking class where they’ll forage for indigenous herbs and # before cooking with them in the lodge kitchen.

The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, Northland

While Kauri Cliffs is better known for having one of the top golf courses in the world (currently ranked 49th globally by Golf Digest magazine), it is also a 2400-hectare working sheep and cattle farm. Kids and adults alike will enjoy joining the farm manager for a 4WD tour of the property. They might help to muster sheep (or watch one being shorn) and, in spring, could even get the chance to feed a newborn lamb. With three private beaches, including one made of minute, pale pink shells, children and teens can revel in simple pleasures such as swimming, beachcombing and using a rope swing hanging from a magnificent native tree, while the adults kick back with a gourmet picnic hamper. For something more active, there are walks to suit all ages, ranging from a 10-minute bush stroll that passes the property’s 700-year-old kauri tree, to a two-hour trek that includes a visit to a small, but beautifully clear, waterfall. Treetops Lodge & Estate

The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke’s Bay

A spectacular 2400-hectare sheep station overlooking the Pacific Ocean, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers offers a rare opportunity to meet a kiwi – the unofficial emblem of New Zealand. There are more than 120 kiwi in the thick regenerating native forest on the property, and your guide will lead you to the birds’ nesting site where you can have your photograph taken. Adults will also enjoy the challenging golf course, designed by legendary golf architect Tom Doak (currently ranked 16th globally by Golf Digest magazine) with its spectacular ocean views. The property menu features exceptional produce (much of which comes from the lodge’s own vegetable garden), as well as incredibly fresh seafood and beef and lamb. Want to get everybody moving? Consider hiring mountain bikes to explore the property, or take a horse trek. From November to April, the lodge hosts stargazing and a sheep show featuring the farm’s working dogs.

The Landing Residences, Bay of Islands

With four beautifully appointed stand-alone residences, set on a 400-hectare conservation estate, The Landing is ideal for extended family groups. Book one of the larger houses such as the Cooper (sleeps 12) or reserve more than one house so that everyone has their own space. Grab a fishing line and equipment and head down to the jetty to fish for snapper, trevally and kahawai in the clear waters of the Bay of Islands. More active family groups might want to head out hiking on the 2.5 kilometres of boardwalks and tracks that crisscross the fertile wetlands on the property. There are also six private beaches with great snorkelling and safe swimming spots for young children. Visit New Zealand in any season. Throughout both islands, you’ll have your choice of unique adventures, hiking, climbing or kayaking across landscapes famous the world over, and savour the freshest local produce and world-class wines.