Woopies World Travel Blog

We didn’t follow a plan. We followed giggles, snack breaks, and whatever caught our eye out the camper window. This was our kind of road trip, messy, magical, and made up of the kind of stops that stay in your bones. From glowworms to hot pools and starry skies, New Zealand became our family’s playground.

Why New Zealand Works for a Family Road Trip

It’s not just the views (though, wow). It’s the feel. Smooth roads. Towns spaced for naps. Holiday parks with pancake mornings and playgrounds. It felt like the whole country was quietly cheering us on. We slowed down — and that gave us room to breathe.

Stuff That Made Our Kids Go Whoa

Forget “kid-friendly.” This is full-on wonderland.

North Island Highlights

Glowworm Caves: Silence Never Felt So Cool Pitch black, dripping caverns lit only by a living galaxy overhead. Even our loudest kid fell into awe-mode. We used the official tour from Waitomo Caves, which included a silent boat ride under the glow.

Hot Water Beach: DIY Spa Goals We dug with bare hands until hot water bubbled up between our toes. The kids? Thought they’d invented volcanoes.

Rotorua Night Walk: Floating Lanterns IRL Bridges glowing among 100-year-old redwoods. Just... wow. Everyone walked slow here.

Hobbiton: Oversized Doors & Ginger Beer Giant gardens, funny houses, and sunlit picnics. And yes, we all drank that ginger beer.

South Island Favorites

Queenstown Luges: Fast. Fun. Repeat. Not bungee-jumping, but close enough. We raced. We crashed. We laughed. (No injuries.)

Lake Matheson: Mirror Vibes Mountains reflected in the lake. Path wide enough for everyone. Bonus: zero whining. We started early and had it nearly to ourselves.

Wānaka Puzzle World: Trippy Fun Slanted rooms. A maze we barely escaped. Weird, wonderful, and surprisingly tiring.

Lake Tekapo: Blanket + Stars = Magic Blankets, stars, and kids whispering as if the sky might answer. No Wi-Fi, just wonder. This is part of a Dark Sky Reserve, and it truly felt like another planet.

Wait, You Took Kids to Wineries?

Heck yes. With lawns for cartwheels, animals to feed, and snacks on deck even the vineyards felt like playgrounds.

Fave Vineyard Vibes

Wither Hills: Chalk & Chardonnay Kids doodled stars while we sipped under oaks. This is slow travel.

Scott Base: Pinot & Petting Zoos Soft lambs, strong wine, and a sunset campsite to end it all. Bliss.

Black Barn: Market Chaos, Kid Joy Donuts, pop-up soccer, and picnic shade under olive trees. We almost stayed forever.

Hikes That Didn’t Break Us

No epic treks. Just big rewards for little legs.

Trails Worth the Snack Bribes

Hooker Valley: Glacier Goals Snow views, swing bridges, and zero “are we there yet?”

Abel Tasman: Water Taxi + Beach Hike Dropped on a beach, hiked through green tunnels. Felt like we were in a movie.

Franz Josef: Icy Vibes Without the Climb Rainforest + glacier views in under an hour. The kind of trail that makes you say wow without saying ow.

When to Go (Without Losing Your Mind)

Spring felt like a secret. Fewer crowds, blooming trails, and locals who had time to chat.

New Zealand Seasons, According to Us

Spring & Autumn: Room to Breathe Cool air, open roads, and golden light. The road trip sweet spot.

Summer: Swim Breaks & Full Car Parks Warm water + BBQs = yes. Booking every campsite weeks ahead = also yes.

Download Our Full New Zealand Itinerary for Families

We didn’t plan this trip from a guidebook. We built it one wrong turn, lakeside lunch, and glowworm gasp at a time. So I wrote it all down, the routes, the camper hacks, the stops that made our kids fall asleep happy. The moments that felt unscripted but unforgettable.

You’ll get our exact itinerary, the packing list we tweaked after every rainy campsite, and honest advice for traveling New Zealand with kids in a campervan, no perfection, just what worked.

You don’t have to book a five-star hotel to enjoy the beach in Dubai. I’ve lived here for many years, and some of my favorite memories happened with my toes in the sand, not in a cabana.

These aren’t secret spots, but they’re the ones locals use. They’re loud and quiet. Full and empty. Messy in the best way. Ready to find your beach?

What Makes Dubai’s Free Beaches So Good

Sometimes it’s the view. Other times it’s the street food. Or it’s just the feeling of floating under skyscrapers while someone plays Hindi music from a Bluetooth speaker nearby. Dubai’s free beaches aren’t polished, but they’re real. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade them for any infinity pool.

My Local Favorite Beaches

Marina Beach

It’s sandwiched between skyscrapers and traffic, but somehow still peaceful. I love it at dusk. The skyline turns gold, kids are swimming, someone’s blasting afrobeats, and I’m eating shawarma with sandy hands.

Dubai Kite Beach

If you want movement and noise and life, come here. There are kite surfers, food trucks, running tracks, playgrounds, and Burj Al Arab in the distance like a mirage. It’s where everyone collides, in a good way.

Al Sufouh Beach (a.k.a. Secret Beach)

It’s not a secret anymore, but it still feels like a hidden place. No lifeguards, no vendors, no distractions. Just clear water, soft sand, and the royal palaces quietly looming behind you. This is where I go when I want stillness.

What You Need to Know Before You Go

Yes, you can swim at night. Umm Suqeim Beach is lit and patrolled until midnight.

Friday and Saturday are peak chaos. I go early or late on weekdays.

Modest swimwear is appreciated on family beaches.

Never take photos of strangers.

Don’t litter. It’s just gross and it’ll cost you.

What I Pack (and Don’t Anymore)

Always in my beach bag:

Frozen water bottles

Sand-proof towel

Umbrella or shade tent

Breathable, lightweight clothing

A spare plastic bag (for trash and wet stuff)

I Never bring again:

Black clothes

Anything denim

Big floppy hats (Dubai wind can be unforgiving)

Overpacking (I always regret it)

Why I Keep Coming Back to These Beaches

You know that moment before a trip when you're staring at your bag, convinced you're forgetting something? I’ve lived that moment too many times. From cruises to city breaks and safaris, my packing mistakes taught me what actually matters. So I built a printable packing list that works for real travel across climates, chaos, and cabin restrictions.

A Checklist That Adapts

This isn’t a minimal or overstyled Instagram list. It’s a travel tool. The list has tabs for safari, city weekends, cruises, long flights, and more so you’re covered whether you're crossing deserts or ferry decks.

Why It Works

Includes gear for long layovers

Works across climate zones

Based on 40+ years of real travel

Downloadable, editable Excel format

Avoid Rookie Mistakes