Travelling around North Island with 1yr old..

Hi,
Have planned a trip from Australia to NZ early August with my partner and our one year old boy. We will only be in NZ for 10 days and will be hiring a car to have a look around the north island.

What I need advice on is travelling around NZ with a baby - ideas about places to visit and stay which are baby friendly.... I have never been to NZ before and want to see all the sites but obviously have to plan a different trip than what I normally would!!!

Any ideas would be great!!!

Thanks.

Hi, witha one year old I would suggest motel units or tourist cabins within the caravan parks, which are usually a little bit cheaper than motels. You may have to ask in advance about cot hire if you are not travelling with a portacot

Thanks waitawa,
I have been looking online at the holiday parks and agree they would be the best kids. The first and last night we want to stay in auckland near the airport so are hoping to get a hotel room/apartment.. I've been looking at the last minute accommodation sites (need it now, wotif) but will have to wait until closer to the time to book.

You've just raised a good point about portacots. I'm thinking it might be a good idea to take ours with us.. have to look into baggage allowments as we will also be bringing a stroller.

Thanks for your comments!!

I have started staying at Skyway Lodge wehn I fly in and out of auckland, as most of my flights home to melb seem to be at crazy times- arriving in at midnight, etc, so I get a single room motel unit and they drop me off for $5.00 to teh airport. Theya re literally a fourminute drive away from auckland airport, but take your earplugs, planes and traffic all the time. $89.00 for a self contained motel unit. They also let me leave my car there for free while I am away, which is great. Nice couple with a toddler themselves.

Have you tried posting this on the 'Kids to Go' thread as well? They might have some more children specific tips...
Re baggage allowance, don't know who you are flying with but we will be flying with Jetstar to Japan with our 20 month old and she isn't allowed any luggage but she is allowed 2 free larger items like stroller and portacot.

Thanks so much for your response hamburgerhead - I didn't know there was a Kids to Go thread as I came to this one after doing a google search!!! Will check that out for sure. Also, in regard to baggage, we're flying Qantas from Australia so will definately have to check out the baggage allowance!! Thanks again.

Most places will rent you a cot or will have one for free. Don't stay nearthe Airport unless your flight timetable requires it.....there isn't alot there and you don't want to go walking at night... (but a visit to Villa Maria Winery suring the day is a winner!!). Rotorua is a must...hot pools, steam and geysers. Waitomo Glow Worm Caves will also be a hit - and if you want to stay in Waitomo there is a play where you can stay in a Hobbitts House. Bay of Islands is cool with gtreat boat tours and don;t underestimate boat trips in Auckland Harbour or visits to the islands such as Waiheke or Rangitoto