We did the south island with one 18 month old in a campervan. It was an AWESOME holiday. Most caravan parks are pretty kid friendly with little playgrounds. Towns like Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wanaka are nice to walk around and would easily be pram friendly. We used a carrier so we also did a bit of walking (such as Fox Glacier and part of the Routeburn track) that you couldn't do with a pram. Having the campervan we camped at some of the DOC campsites which are very basic but lovely places for our son to run around. Most campsites we stayed at were next to water so he just wanted to splash in the (freezing) water and had a ball.
There has been a hell of a lot of earthquakes around Christchurch and surrounding areas, so personally I'd be avoiding that. There is still a massive clean up happening over there.
Like Kat has said, be wary of the earthquakes. We travelled the South Island for our honeymoon and it was beautiful! We're definitely going back there when the kids are a little older to do it all over again. So I'd say go the South Island
On my phone so will be brief but south island for sure!
It is beautiful down there and you won't be affected by the earthquake stuff for the most part it islife as usual really ... Plus there is a he'll of a lotmore to the sth island and Canterbury than just Christchurch . Head down to Hanmer Springs, bout 90 mins south of Chch it is fabulous.
ETA up north of the south island around Blenheim and Nelson will be stunning sun and warm weather that time of year also great beaches ans scenery, markets and what not
I am from NZ and was raised in Christchurch. South island is far prettier (in my opinion). Christchurch has had the large earthquake recently and are still suffering from some aftershocks, but it is business as usual there. The only problem is that there is obviously some damage that will take time to repair.
I agree with the suggestions of Hanmer Springs, Blenheim, Nelson (great wine country, more for you than the kids obviously!) Picton is also up that way and very pretty. Kaikoura has the whale watching which is amazing. Going to the glaciers is awesome also, Franz Josef is just beautiful. Queenstown is beautiful, but pretty expensive. Akaroa is a French settlement on the peninsula not far from Christchurch. Very nice. If you can hire a car/camper van then that is definitely the best way to see the South Island.
Hope you have a great time, I am very jealous, I have not been home for a whole year.
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