“Won’t someone shut that child up?” said a bathroom attendant as I hurried into a cubicle at Milford Sound wharf. I didn’t tell her that was my child running around the waiting room, shrieking at the top of his lungs, as my husband struggled to catch him.
Yes, perhaps my plans for a peaceful 10-day family road trip through the scenic South Island of New Zealand with a two-year-old were a tad naive.
Starting out in Christchurch, we were to make our way into the centre of the island to visit the spectacular Lake Tekapo, then back to the coast and the city of Dunedin, via Oamaru.
Then we planned to head over to the wild west coast and the mountain-ringed towns of Te Anau, Milford, Wanaka and Queenstown, our final stop.
An easy itinerary for a couple of adults, sure. But I discovered that road-tripping with toddlers is a whole different kettle of fish. While we had a wonderful time overall, here are a few tips I’d give to any brave parent contemplating a similar holiday.
TAKE IT SLOW
Been for a walk with your toddler lately? They like to try on every pair of shoes before they go, then stop every two minutes to observe a snail or say hi to the postman. Being stuck in a carseat for more than a few hours a day is torture for a busy little person. Plan your trip you can keep driving to a minimum, and stop regularly for a run around (preferably away from crowded wharves).
FORGET ABOUT THAT NICE VINEYARD
Our trip became a whole lot more pleasant once I realised that we were actually on the Playground Tour of New Zealand. (My tip – Wanaka.) You might be able to wrangle a few wine tastings or a couple of short shopping trips, but most under 3’s won’t have the patience.
Instead, focus on activities the whole family can enjoy. We found the Wanaka Toy and Transport Museum to be a surprise hit, as well as the Skyline Gondola and Kiwi Haka show in Queenstown.
Don’t forget that small children are more likely to suffer from motion sickness. Consider this when planning any boat trips or scenic flights.
SHELL OUT EXTRA FOR A SELF-CATERING APARTMENT
Sure, a roomy apartment with a full kitchen may cost a few bucks more that a motel room. But your child is more likely to feel comfortable in a home-like environment. An apartment gives you the chance to put your child to sleep in another room while you stay up enjoying that fine Marlborough Sauvingnon Blanc. Having your own kitchen means you can be more flexible with meals and cut down on expensive restaurant bills. Being able to make your own toast at 6am before any local cafes are open sure has its advantages.
INVOLVE YOUR TODDLER IN PLANNING
A busy itinerary with a new hotel room almost every night can be very confusing for a toddler. Try making a calendar for the days of your holiday and cutting and pasting images of the scenery and activities of each location. If there is a choice of activities to do in each place, involve your child in the decision and add their choice to the calendar. Having an end date to the holiday may also make your child feel more calm about being away from home.
MAKE YOUR CAR AN ENTERTAINMENT HUB
Staving off toddler boredom will require all the weapons in your arsenal. You’ll need plenty of music – try dividing the amount of CDs you have by the amount of hours driving you’ll need to do. Believe me, you do not want to have to listen to the Bananas in Pyjamas more than twice a day. If you tire easily of children’s music, consider an audiobook. (Perhaps not American Psycho as narrated by Christian Bale).
Colouring-in books and pencils are always useful to have on hand and are a great distraction while waiting in restaurants. And you just can’t go past a good, old-fashioned game of I Spy.
USEFUL LINKS AND RECOMMENDED ACCOMODATION
Kids Friendly New Zealand
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