Queenstown, New Zealand - The Kids Friendly NZ travel guide and information for your family

Queenstown

Would you like to find out more about travelling around New Zealand with your family? Then why not subscribe to our free e-newsletter and each month we will send you an email about great deals and family-friendly places to visit in New Zealand. Click here to subscribe

More than just a winter playground, it's fun all year round.

Queenstown is set in one of the most picturesque places in New Zealand. With the Southern Alps at its doorstep it is truly a beautiful place to visit.

Back some 130 years ago Queenstown was known for its gold, but now adventure activities and wine make up the new riches for this region. So whether you want to take a fast jet boat spin on the Shotover River or relax with a glass of wine, you will find something for all members of the family.

Although there are many tourist attractions in and around Queenstown, the TSS Earnslaw vintage steamship is will worth looking at and if time permits take a ride on this lovely steamship. The TSS Earnslaw was launched in 1912 by New Zealand Rail and was named after Mount Earnslaw. Time stands still with the Earnslaw and visitors can view the engine room as it was built back in 1912. The ship is powered by twin steam engines which burn around 1 tonne of coal per hour and each giving 500 horse power.

Walter Peak is definitely worthwhile and located on the western shores of Lake Wakatipu across from Queenstown. The high country farm is family-friendly, with smaller children enjoying the farm animals. Children eight years and over could saddle up and enjoy a horse trek around the farming station. Real Journey, Queenstown Wharf. Ph: 0800 656 501 or 03 249 7416 www.realjourneys.co.nz

Other places to visit are:

The historical village of Arrowtown, only 20 minutes from Queenstown. This is a great family day visit from Queenstown. Or further a field a 2 hour drive south will take you to Te Anau. Or take a trip to two beautiful lakes, the man-made Lake Dunstan at Cromwell or the spectacular Lake Wanaka. If you want to venture over to the West Coast, a good place to base yourself is Greymouth.

Cafes and Wineries

Gibbston Valley Wines
SH 6, Gibbston, RD 1, Queenstown.
Phone: 03 442 6910
Email: info@gvwines.co.nz
Web: www.gvwines.co.nz
Gibbston Valley Wines have a fabulous full-service lunch restaurant, which includes a children's platter. All the meals can be matched with our award-winning wines (except the Children's Platter which is best matched with Coke or Lemonade). The wine tours into NZ's largest underground wine cave are great for the parents, and children under parental control! I'm told batman uses the cave on his visits to Queenstown...

Skyline Gondola, Restaurant and Luge
Queenstown, New Zealand.

Ph: 03 441 0101
Fax: 03 442 6391

Web: www.skyline.co.nz

Ride the Skyline Gondola up to Bob's Peak overlooking Queenstown. Unwind in our Cafe, dine in the Buffet Restaurant, browse through the Souvenir Shop, view the movie "Kiwi Magic", stroll the nature walks.

Parks and walks

If feeding the ducks takes your fancy try the Queenstown Gardens. These gardens also have a skating rink with a walkway and fitness trail. Access to the park is via Park Street, Marine Parade or Peninsula Street.

If you and your family enjoy cycling why not try the Frankton Arm Track which starts on Peninsula Street, Queenstown and goes to Frankton. Its about a 1 to 2 hour ride and therefore would be suitable for older children.

Queenstown's skateboarding park is located in Queens Gardens.

Moke Lake Picnic Area

This great picnic and swimming lake is close to Queenstown and takes around 25 minutes to get there. The lake is a few kilometres from Queenstown along the Glenorchy Road, look for the Moke Lake sign on your right. You can either take a relax stroll around the lake, which should take you around ninety minutes or just swim and eat your picnic lunch.

Note: There are toilets here, but as they are of the long drops version, your children may just want you to come with them when they need to go!

Things to do

Mini Golf, Queenstown Mini Golf Ph: 03 442 7652

The Kingston Flyer

For any family that loves trains then the Kingston Flyer is a must. The steam locomotive, with vintage wooden carriages takes you on a 14km ride between Kingston and Fairlight. Kingston sits at the base of Lake Wakatipu.

Originally the Kingston Flyer was used as a passenger service, from 1878 through to the mid fifties, between KIngston and Gore.

To find out more information visit their website www.kingstonflyer.co.nz

Hot Air Ballooning
Sunrise Balloons, Ph: 03 442 0781 Email: hughmac@queenstown.co.nz
Web: www.hotairballooning.co.nz

Attractions
Skyline Gondola, Restaurant and Luge, Queenstown. Ph: 03 441 0101
Web: www.skyline.co.nz Ride the Skyline Gondola up to Bob's Peak overlooking Queenstown. Unwind in our Cafe, dine in the Buffet Restaurant, browse through the Souvenir Shop, view the movie "Kiwi Magic", stroll the nature walks. Create your own fun on our Skyline Luge ride - two tracks, sedate Scenic and awesome Advanced. Fun for all ages and abilities.

Underwater World, Main Town Pier, Queenstown Street Mall. Below ground level where you can view the lake through six giant windows. Ph: 03 442 8538

Kiwi and Birdlife Park, Brecon Street, Queenstown. Ph: 03 442 8059 www.kiwibird.co.nz

AJ Hackett Bungy, The Station, Queenstown Bungy Centre, Corner Camp and Shotover Streets. Kawarau Bridge is suitable for children over 10 and the Ledge and Nevis suitable for children 13 years and over. Weight restrictions apply. Ph: 03 442 7100 www.ajhackett.com

Ski Areas
The beauty of the Southern Alp mountains makes this region of New Zealand an idea place to go if skiing is one of your passions. Listed below are two of the local ski areas.

Coronet Peak Ski Area, Ph: 03 442 4620 Web: http://www.nzski.com/coronet/
Just 25 minutes from Queenstown, The Original's varied terrain and premium facilities make it a popular family resort.

The Remarkables Ski Area, Ph: 03 442 4615 Web: The Remarkables Ski Field (Queenstown)
You'll have fun at the Remarkables with their dedicated kids terrain features and family events, Ozone Tubing Park, live entertainment and all-day sun!
Other things to do in the area

You will never be bored in Queenstown if you love adventure. With jet boat tours, skiing, horse riding and many more exciting things to do here, you are just spoilt for choice.

Dart River Jet Safaris, 27 Shotover Street, Queenstown. Kayaks suitable for children five years and over. Other activities for children three years and over. Ph: 0800 327 853 or 03 442 9992 www.dartriver.co.nz

Shortover Jet, Gorge Road, Arthurs Point. Minimum age three years. However this maybe raised as high as ten years old depending on river conditions. Ph: 0800 746 868 or 03 442 8570 www.shortoverjet.co.nz

Take the children down to the Lake Wakatipu waterfront and just let its magic wow you! The kids will enjoy a ride on the gondola or perhaps a ride on the steamer that leaves from the wharf.

If the weather prevents you from getting out, take in a movie or try one of the many great cafes that offer warm, welcoming food and drinks.