I’ve been getting a lot of messages asking if they should go to the West Coast with kids and it’s a bit of a hard one to answer. Honestly the West Coast of New Zealand is not the best place for kids, especially younger kids as there’s not really any kids activities for them.  Having said that you’ll be fine taking older kids, say 5yrs and up as they’ll enjoy the walks and nature that the West Coast has to offer. You could easily take babies and toddlers but there’s a lot of driving involved so you just need to make plenty of stops and break up the trip.

Older kids will love the Blue Pools and Hokitika Gorge as you can jump off rocks into the water but if they’re use to 5-star Resort Swimming Pool temperatures, they might find the water cold.  And it is cold, coming off the mountains and glaciers. Like most places with kids, it really depends on how interactive you are with them. If you’re the type to send them into kids clubs and bugger off and do things yourself, think twice before taking them to the West Coast. If you like being hands on and doing shit with them, then they’ll be fine.

I didn’t take Grobbler but would have no problem taking him now (6 ½ yrs old). Again, just make sure to make plenty of stops, which you can do driving the West Coast as there’s plenty of little places along the way.  I must admit it’s probably better doing it on your own or with your partner and didn’t see a lot of families or younger kids. There’s a lot of walks and scenery so you really need to be hands on with your kids if you’re going to go to make the trip exciting.

It’s not impossible nor difficult to do the West Coast with kids, but you need to consider the amount of driving and what your kids are like with nature and walks and scenery.  If you’re still not sure I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about going to the West Coast with kids via email or ask me on Twitter or Facebook.