Families · Wilderness · Culture
Family
Adventure
Two weeks for a family of four: cave rafting, glamping, a private pōwhiri, three nights on a boat in Dusky Sound, and teenagers who forgot their phones existed.
The Brief
Designed for real guests
Designed for an American family with young teenagers. The brief: quality family time, unique stays, extensive nature, and meaningful connections with special locals.
“We nailed down the family's absolute must-dos, and because we have no on-the-shelf products, we had the freedom to suggest out-of-the-box ideas alongside experiences built on our own local relationships, travelling at a pace that allows real connection.”
Cara Christie · Itinerary Designer · Ruby Bay, Nelson
Every Ahipara itinerary is designed from scratch. This journey exists to whet your appetite and give us a launching-off point. Longer or shorter, more active or less: it's your trip, and we design it around you.
At a Glance
- Duration
- 14 nights
- Where
- Both Islands
- Pace
- Adventurous, with room to breathe
- Stays
- 6 properties
In high season this journey averages approximately NZD $2,392 per person per day, based on a family of four travelling for 15 days. Our management fee is 8.5% of total trip cost, disclosed upfront and set out in writing.
The Route
6 stays, one thread
Day by Day
The whole journey, unfolded
Leg 01 · Days 1–2
The Hotel Britomart
Auckland · 2 nights
Arrive Auckland
Met inside the terminal, escorted through formalities with priority, and settled into interconnecting rooms at The Hotel Britomart.
Sailing the Hauraki Gulf
A family sailing charter aboard the Pacific Star — everyone gets a job, nobody wants to come in.
Leg 02 · Day 3
Wild Canvas · luxury glamping
Waitomo · 1 night
Black-water rafting, then glamping
Floating through the glow-worm-lit Black Labyrinth at Waitomo, then a night under canvas (the very comfortable kind) at Wild Canvas.
Leg 03 · Days 4–5
Huka Lodge
Taupō · 2 nights
Pōwhiri, then Huka Lodge
A private Māori welcome ceremony near Taupō (often the moment guests say the trip changed gear), then two nights at Huka Lodge.
Ko Tahi Te Rā: a day with Kai Waho
A full day in the wilderness with Māori hosts: fire, food from the land, and stories that stay with teenagers longer than any museum.
Leg 04 · Days 6–7
Cabot Lodge
Manapouri · 2 nights
Fly to Fiordland: Cabot Lodge
South to the deep end of the country. Two nights at Cabot Lodge, a family-run farm lodge above Lake Manapouri.
Milford Sound by floatplane
Milford from the air with Wings & Water, and a working-farm visit back at Cabot in the afternoon.
Leg 05 · Days 8–10
Wild Fiordland · private expedition vessel
Dusky Sound, Fiordland · 3 nights
Wild Fiordland: three nights in Dusky Sound
Aboard a private expedition vessel in the most remote fiord of all: kayaks, fishing lines, waterfalls, and not another boat for days.
Leg 06 · Days 11–15
Eichardt's Private Hotel
Queenstown · 4 nights
To Queenstown: Eichardt's
Out of the wilderness and onto the Queenstown lakefront for four nights.
Best of the South with Beau
A full-day private sightseeing safari with Beau Rapley: Glenorchy, Skippers, and stories all the way.
Packrafting the Rees
"License to Chill", a family packrafting day down the Rees River, transfers and riverside lunch included.
Departure
Homeward, with native trees planted in the family's name through Trees That Count.
Make it yours
This journey was designed for one set of guests and will never be repeated. Tell us what moves you, and we'll design what comes next — from a blank page.