New Zealand Family Multisport
New Zealand offers a world of fun for adventurous families! Edged with serene bays and beaches tucked safely into the craggy coastline, the North Island is both tranquil and exciting. The landscape features trout-filled streams, fertile farmland covered by sheep, and forests of tree ferns and native bush in addition to gushing geysers, steaming vents, bubbling pools and towering volcanoes. This incredibly diverse island is also home to a vital Maori culture, with an abundance of art and ancient legends. Explore the North Island with Backroads by pedal and paddle, on foot and by raft - an adventure sure to bring out the kid in everyone.
Days 1-2 Pauanui
Meet in Auckland 
Our Kiwi guide Damian Johansen leads us through a jungle of vines and giant tree ferns to a hidden pool Pedal to Hahei and hike to the white rock sculpture of Cathedral Cove, where white-sand beaches await.
Days 3-4 Rotorua
Hike the lush Karangahake Gorge, crossing suspension bridges and walking through an old gold-mining tunnel before enjoying a swim in the Waitewheta River Kayak on tranquil Lake Rotoiti and then take a dip in thermal lakeside hot springs Bike along the beautiful (and bumpy) north shore of Lake Rotorua 
Visit the Agrodome for a farm tour that offers the chance to feed sheep and see sheepshearing in action Ever bounced downhill inside a giant plastic ball? Now's your chance to give the Kiwi-created Zorb a try.
Days 5-7 Taupo
Pedal along rolling pastures of Kiwi farmland to Waikite Hot Pools, perfect for a dip At Wai-o-Tapu, walk past geysers, hot springs, colorful silica terraces and percolating mud pots Tame the Tongariro River on a Class III rafting trip Enjoy a walk to Huka Falls Feeling fearless? Try a bungee jump over the Waikato River.
KIWI-STYLE COMFORTS: Premiere Inns
Puka Park Resort (2 nights): Settle into your private chalet nestled in the rain forest at this secluded wilderness retreat.
Duxton Hotel (2 nights): Lovely accommodations set right on Lake Rotoiti, with spa pools, heated swimming pool, tennis courts, on-site spa treatments and spacious guest rooms.
Millennium Hotel (2 nights): Enjoy beautiful views of Lake Taupo from this waterfront hotel, with a pool, two restaurants and spacious luxurious rooms.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 4 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 3 4 Route Options Available
- Biking 8, 13, 20, 40 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 2 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- Hiking 2, 6 miles
- 0 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Kayaking 3 hours
- Optional Biking 14 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Farm Tour and Sheep Shearing Demonstration
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 16, 25 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 3 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 2.5 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Rafting 4 hours
Day 7
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 3 miles
- 0-500 feet elevation gain
- Optional Bungy Jumping
On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle rolling terrain. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities.
Trips For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Average Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biking | Walking & Hiking | ||
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2008 DATES
FAMILY TRIPS
2009 DATES
FAMILY TRIPS
- 12/16-22Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1030 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/22-28Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1030 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/24-30Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1030 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Variation: On Days 1 & 2, we stay at the Pacific Harbour Lodge in Tairua. - 12/29-1/4Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1030 for sgl. occ.)
2010 DATES
FAMILY TRIPS
- 12/16-22Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1030 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/22-28Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1030 for sgl. occ.)
- 12/26-1/1Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1030 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Variation: On Days 1 & 2, we stay at the Pacific Harbour Lodge in Tairua. - 12/29-1/4Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1030 for sgl. occ.)
Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Recommended Kids Ages
Minimum Ages:
Recommended minimum age for the trip: 9 years
Minimum age restriction to ride own bike: 9 years
Minimum age restriction to bungee jump: 11 years and 90 lbs. (on your own)
No burleys available.
General Info on Minimum Ages:
We strongly encourage families to join our Family Trips, designed with kid- and adult-friendly features. Please note that we have a minimum age requirement of 1 year for all Inn trips and 2 years for all Camping trips. Other than that, we do not restrict trips to a minimum age except in the rare case of a hotel age restriction. We do, however, recommend minimum ages based on the following criteria:
- 12+ cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities and route
- 9+ difficulty of activities and route
- 6+ several long adult dinners; parent may not be able to pull a Burley and/or there may be multiple activity restrictions
- 3+ riding is on bike paths, making it great for young kids; Burley and Piccolos are available; there are few or no activity restrictions; and no long dinners (or we offer alternatives)
Please note that a trip may feature an activity with an older age requirement than the minimum age recommendation for the trip. Younger kids are still welcome on the trip and while they will not be able to participate in the activity, the leaders will suggest an alternate activity. For safety reasons, children under 7 may not ride their own bikes and are required to ride on a Piccolo or in a Burley. For certain destinations, children must be 9 or older to ride their own bikes.
Guest Trip Reviews
I purchased this New Zealand trip last Christmas for my family. We have touted this trip for one year as our "family vacation of a lifetime," as my son is 18 and will be leaving for college next year. We couldn't have been more pleased or had a better time. The trip leaders were awesome, and we met some great families and friends. Thanks for making this such a great family vacation!- Draper, UT