A grandmother, two parents, and three children aged 4–16. Different interests, different energy levels, yet one itinerary that worked perfectly for all of them.
The brief was complicated: one grandmother who walks slowly and loves wine, two parents who wanted adventure, and three children aged 4, 11, and 16 with almost nothing in common.
The solution was to build an itinerary around shared anchors — properties and experiences that work across generations — while building in flexibility for the parts of each day where different family members could pursue different things.
Huka Lodge was the obvious starting point. The property is extraordinary for any age, the fishing interests the teenagers, and the beauty of the gardens and river walks is accessible for everyone.
Cape Kidnappers was the mid-point. The farm side of the experience is perfect for the 4-year-old, the golf is there for the parents, and the gannet colony is a genuine wildlife spectacle that transcends age.
The final chapter was Queenstown and the Southern Lakes: helicopter flights for the adventure-seekers, wine tasting in the Gibbston Valley for the adults, and Milford Sound by private charter for the whole family.