Auckland with Kids

Auckland suits toddlers because every few blocks deliver another patch of grass, even downtown has Aotea Square's playground for sprinting. The city is small enough for a midday nap back at the hotel, and strollers park outside most attractions.

Challenges: Hills define the city, so fit decent brakes to the stroller, short walks can turn into thigh-burners. Public toilets often sit at the top of a flight of stairs.

• Book near a playground, every suburb hides one and toddlers need that final sprint before bed.
• Stuff a jacket into the bag, Auckland skies flip fast and toddlers lose heat quicker than you think.

This is Auckland's sweet-spot age, old enough to ride the ferry out to islands, young enough to gape at volcanoes and stingrays. They can walk the trails yet still press every button in the interactive museums.

Learning: They'll absorb the Treaty of Waitangi at the museum, volcanic geology on Rangitoto, marine biology at Kelly Tarlton's and transport history at MOTAT.

• Pick up the Auckland pass if you'll hit three or more paid sights, it bundles zoo, Kelly Tarlton's and Sky Tower into one cheaper ticket.
• Hand them the map for one day, the ferry routes are simple and kids love deciding which island to conquer next.

Auckland hands teenagers real thrills, they can summit volcanic cones, leap off rock ledges into surf and ride the ferry solo. The city is safe, so parents happy with public transport can cut them loose.

Independence: Daylight ferries to Devonport or Waiheke are safe for lone teens, services run often and loudspeakers call every stop. The CBD grid is easy to read.

• Load an AT HOP card with a weekly pass, teens can roam without begging for cash.
• The library hands out free WiFi and rows of charging ports, a perfect rendezvous after solo wandering.