Your guide to a Family-Friendly Holiday on the South Island

With its stunning, movie-location scenery, New Zealand is without a doubt one of the most popular family road trip destinations in the world. This island country is known for its friendly locals, world-class cuisine and wine scene, outdoor action and amazing Maori culture. Accor Vacation Club is proud to offer you only the most sought-after properties in this destination, so that you will be able to enjoy your next holiday in style. Let us examine some of the highlights on offer, as well as some expert travel tips to keep in mind when visiting the land of the long white cloud – specifically, its seductive South Island...  Wellington A visit to New Zealand’s ‘windy city’ will leave you bursting with your fill of culture and fine food! It’s definitely worth checking out the bohemian scene on trendy Cuba Street, where quirky selection of cafes, restaurants and bars meet historical buildings and eclectic urban art.  Other must do experiences are The Wellington Museum, Space Place at Carter Observatory and the famous Wellington Zoo. In order to make your stay even more convenient, Accor Vacation Club has teamed up AccorHotels to offer Wellington Central City Apartments, as part of its Accor Hotels Select program. These fabulous modern rooms offer panoramic views and will provide you with a unique perspective of the city. Those who are unfamiliar with Wellington will be pleased to know that this property is a mere 20 minutes from the airport.  Wanaka While the urban delights associated with New Zealand are not to be missed, it is just as important to note that the natural beauty in this part of the world is truly breathtaking. There is perhaps no better example of this than the resort town of Wanaka found on South Island. Boasting amazing panoramic views of nearby mountains as well as access to a large lake of the same name, this destination is the ultimate family road trip destination, and a great place to stop, drop and explore for a few days, if not a week. The services offered by Oakridge Resort will only serve to heighten this sensation of pleasure, inspired by the majesty of surrounding lakes and mountains! Up the road, Accor Vacation Club also offers Members the chance to stay in the resort town of Queenstown at the deluxe Hotel St Moritz. Of course, when travelling with kids, our pick would have to be Wanaka – relaxed, casual and perfect for outdoor family escapades. Accor Vacation Club is pleased to offer these properties as well as a host of travel tips to keep in mind during your visit. Some suggestions include:

• Booking your hire car well in advance. You might need to check and request the appropriate age-specific child restraints required also if travelling with younger children.
• Obtaining an accurate weather forecast in advance. Particularly if driving longer distances on unknown roads.
• Carefully planning your itinerary. Pit stops are essential, especially in parts of the South Island where mountainous rounds are winding and can contribute to car sickness.
• Purchasing travel insurance (especially if flying from overseas or if driving long distances).

Thanks to Accor Vacation Club, your perfect family trip is only moments away. Please contact us to learn about the additional benefits that members can enjoy.     The information in this article is not personal financial advice and has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person.  Before making a decision to purchase or upgrade a membership in the Accor Vacation Club, you should consider the PDS dated 1 January 2017, issued by A.P.V.C. Ltd AFSL 245515 and available at www.accorvacationclub.com.au or by contacting A.P.V.C. Ltd on 1800 70 81 90.