12-Day Australia, New Zealand & Fiji Itinerary with Kids (Cost Breakdown)
Planning to combine Australia, New Zealand and Fiji in one family trip? Here is exactly how we did it in 12 days. We packed a lot of winter clothes for our summer trip — a unique experience!
After more than 20 hours of travel, we finally arrived in the Southern Hemisphere.
Sydney: Opera House & Wildlife Sanctuary
Our first stop was the iconic Sydney Opera House. If you're planning Sydney with kids, the Opera House tour is surprisingly engaging and educational for elementary-aged children. We highly recommend booking a guided tour + dinner package directly from the official website. The guide took us inside, sharing the history and design principles of the building — from the outdoor roof tiles to the ergonomics of the seating and even the choice of fabrics to minimize noise. Every detail reflects meticulous craftsmanship.
After dinner at the Opera House restaurant, we strolled along the waterfront to enjoy the night view. Seeing our kids so relaxed and happy, we felt the trip was already worth it.
Sydney left a positive first impression: a western city with a sense of order, but without the frustrations we sometimes experience in the U.S. city centers. We could walk around at night with our kids safely — something that feels harder in downtown Los Angeles.
We also visited the Australian Wildlife Sanctuary (about an hour from the city). There were very few tourists — perfect for families! The kids loved feeding kangaroos and petting koalas. Here's a fun fact we learned: emus are Australian ostriches, while ostriches are from Africa.
Skiing in Australia & New Zealand
One of our main goals was to hit ski resorts in both countries. We skied at Thredbo in Australia, then Remarkables and Coronet Peak in New Zealand.
If you're considering skiing in Australia vs New Zealand with kids, here is our honest comparison. New Zealand’s ski resorts slightly outperformed Australia’s — not because of infrastructure (both excellent), but for:
- Location: Queenstown is beautiful, town-to-mountain just 30 minutes.
- Snow quality: Softer, less icy.
- Views: Cloud seas and sunsets are stunning.
After skiing, we indulged in locally famous venison and lamb burgers in Queenstown — so satisfying!
Now we’ve unlocked the Southern Hemisphere ski experience, technically making skiing a year-round activity. And Queenstown is one of the most family-friendly ski destinations in the Southern Hemisphere.
New Zealand Adventures: Hobbiton & Night Sky
From snow-capped mountains to rolling plains, we also explored Hobbiton, visited the night skies in international dark-sky reserves, and spotted wild kiwi birds.
Some astronomy notes: the Southern Hemisphere’s Milky Way appears overhead, unlike in the Northern Hemisphere where it hugs the horizon. Phones can capture some stars, but using professional cameras would be spectacular.
Kiwi birds are nocturnal and flightless. Guided night tours can help you spot them — we saw three during our visit, all playful and adorable!
Hobbiton is a real village filmed for The Lord of the Rings. The peaceful farmland setting makes it feel magical. New Zealand’s vast landscapes and sparse population make it perfect for families wanting a mystical experience.
Fiji: Rest & Relaxation
Fiji is one of the easiest tropical destinations for families flying from Australia or New Zealand. The last two days of our trip were spent relaxing in Fiji. Most flights connected via Fiji, so we decided to fully rest at our hotel.
Fiji has over 300 islands, about 100 inhabited. Most visitors are Australians (>85%), since the flight is short and convenient. Their culture is similar to Hawaii, with Polynesian roots, and some Indian descendants from colonial times.
Even staying at the resort, we could see clear water, colorful fish, and enjoy warm 27°C weather in August. For Australians, Fiji is a perfect winter getaway.