Teen Travel in New Zealand

Traveling with Teenagers: Our Wild Week in New Zealand

By Jessica Monroe
Adventure, eye rolls, and bonding in the great outdoors.

Arrival: Jet Lag Meets Teen Mood Swings

We landed in Queenstown bleary-eyed and sleep-deprived, and it took all of ten minutes for the first eye roll. “Why are we doing this?” my 15-year-old daughter groaned, glancing at the jam-packed itinerary I had proudly color-coded. My 17-year-old son simply put in his headphones and stared out the window.

I had dreamt of this trip for months. A week of stunning landscapes, adrenaline-packed activities, and—if I was lucky—a few moments of connection. Traveling with teens is nothing if not unpredictable, and I had no illusions this would be easy. But I hoped, just maybe, it would be meaningful.

Queenstown Thrills: Screams, Selfies, and Surprises

We started with a bang—literally. Our first full day included bungee jumping off Kawarau Bridge. My son was all in. My daughter was skeptical until she saw the GoPro videos. Somehow, peer pressure and social media content won the day.

The jump? Terrifying. Electrifying. And unforgettable.

By afternoon, we were laughing over meat pies by Lake Wakatipu. They teased me for nearly fainting during my zipline descent. I teased them back for their nonstop selfies. For the first time in what felt like years, we were in sync—even if just for a few hours.

Road Tripping: Music Battles and Mountain Views

We rented a campervan and drove from Queenstown to Wanaka. The playlist negotiations were fierce. I introduced them to Fleetwood Mac. They introduced me to artists whose names I still can’t pronounce. Every time I tried to sing along, they begged me to stop.

But then we’d turn a corner, and there it was—lake views that took your breath away, sheep-dotted fields, snow-capped peaks. The teens got quiet. For long stretches, no one spoke. Not because of boredom, but because nature had hushed us in the best possible way.

Wanaka: The Tree, the Climb, the Conversation

In Wanaka, we visited the famous lone tree—a teen Instagram dream. But the real magic came later, when we climbed Roy’s Peak. The hike was long and steep. Complaints were loud at first, but about halfway up, something shifted.

Maybe it was the shared challenge. Maybe it was the view. But by the summit, we weren’t just a family—we were a team. We ate chocolate bars and sat in silence as the clouds moved below us. My son turned to me and said, “I get why you wanted us to come.”

That alone made the trip worth it.

Glowworms and Honest Talks

In Te Anau, we took a glowworm cave tour. It was quieter than any activity we’d done, and something about floating under that twinkling ceiling opened us up.

Later that night, we sat under the stars near our cabin. My daughter asked about my own teenage years. My son admitted he was nervous about college. There were no life-changing conclusions—just honesty, unfiltered and unforced.

I’d planned this trip for the thrills. But the most powerful moments were the still ones.

Coming Home: Eye Rolls, But Also Gratitude

When we flew back, there were still eye rolls. Still headphone silences. But also something else—memories that weren’t just mine, but ours.

My daughter printed out a photo of Roy’s Peak and taped it to her bedroom wall. My son still brings up the meat pies. And occasionally, I catch them playing a song from our road trip.

Teens, Travel, and Letting Go

Traveling with teenagers isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. It’s about showing up, even when they’re moody. It’s about finding moments, not manufacturing them.

If you’re planning a trip with teens, expect attitude. Expect unpredictability. But also, expect magic in the margins—between the Wi-Fi outages, the nature hikes, the snack breaks, and the stars.

Because deep down, they still want to connect. They just might need a mountain view to admit it.

Taken your own wild trip with teens? Share your best (and worst) moments with @AffordableJourney using #TeensOnTheTrail.