Immerse your family in New Zealand’s vibrant cities and enchanting landscapes on a 15-day journey from Auckland to Queenstown that includes the Abel Tasman National Park, the Milford Sound, and sites featured in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
New Zealand for Families: A Tailor-Made Journey
15 days from $6,475
Immerse your family in New Zealand’s vibrant cities and enchanting landscapes on a 15-day journey from Auckland to Queenstown that includes the Abel Tasman National Park, the Milford Sound, and sites featured in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
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Fable Aukland
Aukland, New Zealand
Set in the Windsor House, an Art Deco building that was Auckland’s first skyscraper, the recently refurbished Fable Auckland is a stylish boutique property in the heart of Auckland’s shopping district and close to Waitematā Harbour. A variety of rooms and suites blend Art Deco elements with classic elegance and modern amenities. The chic Cooke’s Restaurant and Bar offers delectable dishes with an emphasis on local and organic ingredients, and the hotel’s gym and spa include a sauna and jacuzzi.
City Lights Boutique Lodge
Rotorua, New Zealand
This boutique B&B offers comfortable lodgings set in large grounds on the slopes of Mount Ngongotaha just outside Rotorua. With just three guest rooms, City Lights Boutique Lodge offers an intimate experience with genial hosts who can provide expert advice about the area.
There is a large guest lounge with an open fireplace, soft leather sofas, zebra-print rug and bold, contemporary art, and two of the rooms offer direct access to the outdoor terrace. Along with the B&B rooms, the property also offers a two-bedroom apartment and a two-bedroom cottage, both of which have self-catering kitchens. All are decorated in a comfortable, contemporary manner with modern en suite bathrooms and large windows.
In the morning, the healthy buffet breakfast includes local fruit and juices, homemade muesli and preserves, yoghurts and breads. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the property, a small gym and an infrared sauna. Outside, there is a heated spa pool in the garden and plenty of space in the seating area which is kitted out with sun loungers. The lodge also has a resident cat, Oscar, and seven alpacas.
Bolton Hotel
Wellington, New Zealand
A family-owned, independent hotel in Wellington’s central business district, the Bolton Hotel offers a range of spacious, chic studios and apartment-style suites. Its Artisan restaurant offers up authentic kiwi cuisine using fresh, local ingredients, as well as a stylish high tea. The hotel’s fitness center includes a sauna, a spa-pool, and a lap pool; and Wellington’s waterfront is just a short walk away.
Ocean View Chalets
Marahau, New Zealand
The Ocean View Chalets are wooden cabins tucked into the bush just outside the Abel Tasman National Park. Free-standing one- and two-bedroom chalets often comfortable accommodation with full kitchens and private balconies. Breakfast is served in the main building and packed lunches are available for outings. The chalets are a short walk from restaurant options for the evening. The family-owned property has a strong sustainability ethic and is involved in local reforestation, whale rescue, and bird conservation programs.
The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments
Queenstown, New Zealand
The Rees Hotel, Luxury Apartments and Lakeside Residences enjoys a prime lakefront location on the outskirts Queenstown. The complex is named after William Gilbert Rees, the pioneer settler and founder of Queenstown, and throughout the property you will find details that allude to this heritage. The hotel rooms and apartments are spacious and beautifully furnished, and most accommodations offer views of Lake Wakatipu. The property features a library of rare books and art, a courtesy shuttle to central Queenstown, a well-equipped gym, a restaurant and wine lounge, and a private beach and wharf.
When you travel on a tailor-made journey, you will receive a Friends of the Smithsonian Archivist Circle membership*. Benefits include:
- A Smithsonian annual engagement calendar with full-color images of exceptional art and artifacts, mailed in the fall.
- Subscription to Smithsonian, the award-winning magazine of the arts, sciences, and history. Early access to Smithsonian magazine produced events.
- Invitations to four exclusive virtual programs for Friends of the Smithsonian members with Smithsonian experts.
- 10% discount in Smithsonian Museum Stores (good on purchases up to $200); 10% discount with the SmithsonianStore.com, and Folkways Recordings
- Recognition in the Friends of the Smithsonian Honor Roll, displayed electronically on the National Mall in the Membership Reception Center
- Special member rate for tickets to the Smithsonian’s IMAX® theaters and Einstein Planetarium.
- Free admission to the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City.
- A complimentary copy of the annual Smithsonian museum guidebook.
- Invitation to a special welcome event for new members at a Smithsonian venue.
*Offer only available for first-time Smithsonian members.
For the convenience of our travelers, Smithsonian Journeys includes a basic medical expense and evacuation plan through Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, at no additional charge. This plan provides post-departure Medical and Dental coverage of $250,000 per person and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage of $1,000,000 per person (U.S. Residents Only). Note: For full details regarding these coverages please review the following Plan Documents here.
In addition, we recommend that travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect their travel investment from unforeseen events such as cancellation due to illness, flight delays due to adverse weather, baggage loss, and more. For your convenience, Smithsonian Journeys offers an optional Travel Protection Plan administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. For those interested, optional "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage is available for an additional charge. Note: Certain eligibility requirements apply and Cancel for Any Reason coverage is not available to New York residents. For full details regarding this coverage please review the following Plan Documents here.
To learn more about the Travel Protection Plan, you may visit https://www.generalipartner.com/smithsonianjourneys or call the administrator, Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand at (866) 501-3252.