If you’re looking for an unforgettable family adventure, New Zealand is absolutely the place to be. With its stunning natural beauty, diverse landscapes across its islands, amazing hunting opportunities, and a whole bunch of world-class activities, it’s perfect for families wanting to share thrilling experiences and make memories that last a lifetime. Whether you’re after a trophy red stag or just want to enjoy scenic helicopter flights, hiking, or relaxing at the spa, New Zealand has it all.

New Zealand offers a wide range of family friendly hunting and adventure experiences, making it an ideal destination for all ages.

Now, we know that when many families think about international hunting trips, they picture rustic cabins that cater only to serious hunters, with not much else to do – definitely not the kind of place for a family getaway. But here’s the great news: our lodges are family friendly and completely change the game. They are warm, welcoming, and designed so every family member, whether hunter or not, finds their perfect adventure. With luxury accommodations and a variety of activities, everyone gets to have an amazing time. Unlike typical accommodation options such as hotels or motels, these lodges offer a unique and immersive experience tailored to families seeking both comfort and adventure.

How Does Family Expeditions Define “Family-Friendly Experiences”? Click Here to Find Out!

Why New Zealand is Perfect for Family Hunting Vacations

What makes our lodges stand out is the genuine care they put into everything: from comfortable, family friendly accommodations to expert guides and a wide range of activities that keep everyone happy. New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most sought-after and famous hunting adventures.

While some family members are out chasing that trophy red stag or fallow buck, others can explore the southern alps, go whale watching along the Pacific Ocean, or sip wine at some fantastic local vineyards.

Your professional guides are with you every step of the way to ensure successful and safe hunts.

Meanwhile, the chefs whip up amazing meals made from fresh, local ingredients, often featuring the harvests from hunts throughout the season to give you even more local flavor. Breakfast is included as part of the lodge experience, offering convenience and added value so you can start each day without worrying about meal planning.

Every detail is thought of so your New Zealand trip becomes truly unforgettable.

Lodge #1: New Zealand Luxury Hunting and Touring for Comprehensive Family Adventures

Let us introduce you to one of our favorite luxury lodges on the South Island – it’s truly the gold standard for family friendly hunting lodge experiences in New Zealand. This family owned and operated lodge offers a perfect blend of hunting and touring, all tailored to suit your family’s unique interests.

The accommodations are well-appointed, spacious and comfortable, with multiple bedrooms that work great for families. Every detail has been thought of in your room. The beds are so comfortable you may never want to leave them, the under-floor heating keeps you warm during the colder nights, and the myriad of snacks and drinks mean you always feel at home. Unlike a typical hotel, which may offer standard amenities and room types, this lodge provides a personalized, family friendly experience with thoughtful touches you won’t find elsewhere.

In addition to private bedrooms, the lodge features excellent facilities including communal living areas like the library and sitting room, dining room, and outside fire pit and pool designed to enhance your stay. You’ll have your privacy but still feel connected with the group, making it easy to share stories after a day full of adventure. Every detail has been thought of here.

The friendly staff is always on hand to make sure your stay is smooth and enjoyable. Never overbearing but very attuned to your tastes as the trip progresses.

When it comes to hunting, you’ll find opportunities for trophy red stags, tahr, chamois, elk, fallow deer, and more on the estate. The guides are pros at working with hunters of all experience levels – whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a first-timer, you’ll feel confident. They love what they do and it shows in every aspect of their work.

Whether your hunts take you through the tall hills of the property hiking for fallow or flying through the Alps on helicopter-assisted Himalayan tahr and chamois hunts, your memories in the field will be ones that can never be replaced. These are the kinds of adventures your family will never forget, filled with stories and moments that last a lifetime.

Family-Centered Amenities and Services

There’s something for everyone at this lodge – no one is left out!

Take a scenic helicopter flight for breathtaking views of the Southern Alps, or go on a guided hike to soak in the natural beauty at your own pace.

For those who love local culture, we can arrange wine tastings at nearby vineyards, and there’s even a motor sport park for some fast-paced fun.

Golf lovers can enjoy playing a round of golf at the nearby courses, while the charming town of Wanaka offers great shopping and dining.

There’s a lavender farm nearby for a peaceful outing, a pool to relax in, and plenty of kid-friendly activities like Puzzling World, luging, fishing, and mountain carting.

Plus, professional photographers are available to capture your family’s special moments, so you’ll have beautiful keepsakes from your trip. In addition to these, other activities are available at or near the lodge, ensuring a wide variety of experiences for every interest.

Lodge #2: New Zealand Hunting – Marlborough and Beyond, Varied Family Experiences

The second lodge we want to introduce you to is our fantastic estate red stag lodge in the Marlborough region of the South Island. The property boasts high-quality land, excellent guiding service for adults and children, and a range of features ideal for hunting and sightseeing.

The lodge is the perfect mix of rustic charm and luxury, with spacious rooms designed to keep everyone comfortable and connected. Made up of two buildings, the main lodge and secondary lodge, group’s bedrooms are never mixed, so your family will have full use of one of the two buildings.

In the main lodge, enjoy sitting around the fire with appetizers in the evening as you recount the days adventures whether they be in the field or enjoying fun activities.

Here, you’ll hunt some of New Zealand’s finest game: red stag, Himalayan tahr, fallow deer, and more, with the opportunity to pursue impressive trophies that make this a world-renowned hunt.

With over 20 years of expert game management, the populations are healthy and the hunting ethical and sustainable. The guides are experienced in working with hunters of all ages and skill levels, and safety is always a top priority.

A special component of this experience is you can explore many areas of the island through your hunts. Red stag, fallow, and chamois can be hunted on one property, while elk and Himalayan tahr can be hunting on two others a few hours away. So throughout your stay you can choose to journey to different regions of the country introducing you to new cities and activities along the way. Activities Beyond Hunting at Marlborough Lodge

Fun For the Entire Family

This lodge shines with families who have mixed interests.

Near the primary hunting land you can enjoy activities such as guided nature walks, visiting the nearby wineries for tastings or lunch with pairings, chocolate tastings, shopping, visiting the nearby town of Blenheim, ferry rides, and more.

As you travel to the other hunting properties, golf, seal viewing, shopping, horse riding, and jet boating are also on the menu. And don’t miss whale watching along the coast – it’s a magical experience for the whole family.

Fishing is a big part of the fun here as well, with professional guides ready to take you to pristine spots by 4WD, jet boat, or even helicopter. Whether you’re a pro or just learning, everyone can enjoy this classic New Zealand experience.

How Family Expeditions Plans Your Trip to New Zealand

Family Expeditions specializes in creating tailor-made hunting and touring adventures in New Zealand that perfectly suit your family’s interests, needs, and experience levels. From the moment you reach out, their expert team works closely with you to design a seamless itinerary that balances thrilling hunts with enriching activities for all ages.

The planning process begins with understanding your family’s preferences, including desired game species, accommodation style, activity interests, and travel dates. Whether you seek trophy red stag hunts or want to combine hunting with sightseeing, fishing, and cultural experiences, Family Expeditions crafts a personalized journey that delivers it all.

We will guide you through every step of the planning process including what to pack, assisting with international flights through our skilled partners, walking you through forms and documentation needed for travel, and more. Our goal is to make your planning experience stress free.

We coordinate every detail, from arranging lodge accommodations on family friendly hunting estates to organizing your dream touring experiences. Family Expeditions can plan diverse activities such as helicopter tours over the Southern Alps, fly fishing in pristine rivers, wine tastings at renowned vineyards, and visits to charming local towns.

Transportation logistics are handled with care, planning private transfers with our lodges or helicopter rides from major airports such as Christchurch. This ensures smooth arrivals and departures as well as easy access to remote hunting areas.

Family Expeditions also supports families with youth hunters through our careful attention to the lodge during our vetting process and ensure non-hunters have engaging experiences, making the trip enjoyable for every member of your group. Our commitment to responsible and ethical hunting, combined with a deep knowledge of New Zealand’s landscapes, activities and culture, guarantees a memorable and meaningful adventure.

With over two decades of experience, Family Expeditions provides unparalleled hospitality and expert guidance, making your New Zealand family hunting trip not just a vacation but a lifetime experience filled with great hunts, spectacular scenery, and treasured family moments.

Planning Your Family Hunting and Touring Experience

Wondering when to visit? For prime hunting time, New Zealand’s autumn (March to May) brings great hunting conditions and beautiful fall colors and their winter (June to July) is perfect if you want to try add more winter excursions like heli-skiing or snow shoeing to your hunt.

Our lodges welcome children of all ages. Non-hunting activities are open to everyone, making these lodges perfect for multi-generational trips including grandparents and little ones.

Packing tips? We have you covered. when you plan your New Zealand experience with Family Expeditions we send you a detailed packing list based on the time of year you are visiting and the actives you plan to pursue. Guns are provided at both of these lodges if you want to avoid the hassle of flying internationally with your’s.

Booking early is a smart move, especially for peak seasons like Easter and our summer (New Zealand’s winter). These luxury lodges fill up fast, so plan 12-18 months ahead to get your preferred dates and accommodations.

Making the Most of Your New Zealand Family Adventure

The key to a great trip is balance. Many families mix hunting days with sightseeing or relaxing days, so everyone stays happy and energized. Private lodges make it easy to adjust your itinerary based on what your family wants and the weather.

Our lodges are experts at creating experiences that bring families together. Whether parents want hunting while grandparents want gentle activities and kids want adventure, everyone feels included and valued. With accommodations that feel like home and a dedicated team, your family’s trip will be comfortable, exciting, and full of unforgettable moments.

Choosing a family friendly lodge in New Zealand means combining world-class hunting, luxury comfort, and a variety of activities so every family member leaves with memories to cherish. Whether you’re passionate about hunting, seeking adventure, or just want to relax surrounded by nature’s beauty, these destinations have you covered.

We can’t wait to help you start planning your family’s New Zealand adventure. With the right lodge and a bit of planning, your family’s trip will be the perfect mix of excitement, relaxation, and breathtaking scenery that makes New Zealand truly special.