Promotion for Destination Queenstown
This spring, experience Queenstown with fresh eyes! It’s a great time of year to travel with the family, experience the beauty of the outdoors, unwind with some family fun, and create special holiday memories.
Spring is a unique season when you can do everything Queenstown offers. The valleys burst to life with spring buds to the backdrop of the surrounding snow-capped peaks. The days are warm, and with the sun shining from early morning until around 7-8pm, you can pack a lot of memories into one day.
Queenstown offers a range of options for you to create your perfect family holiday this spring. Here’s a guide to some of our favourite places to go and things to see and do.
Please note: Venue information was correct at the time of publication. Please check with individual venues for the latest opening dates, times, prices, etc, before making plans.
Sightsee on two wheels
Biking around Queenstown Gardens
With over 150kms of cycle trails, and home to one of New Zealand’s Great Rides, Queenstown has plenty of options to explore the stunning surroundings at your own pace.
There are family-friendly cycle trails all over the Whakatipu basin from Arrowtown to Glenorchy. Many of them are accessible for prams and easily ridden with mini-mes in tow. You can also walk many of them.
There are also many bike hire and bike transport options, along with tour and transport companies so you can just cycle one way and they will pick you and your bikes up and return you to your starting point. Better by Bike and Around the Basin have a range of e-bikes and mountain bikes for hire for all ages, including baby seats and buggies for the smallest riders.
One of the most popular trails is the Arrow River Bridges Trail which ambles alongside the river among the trees between Arrowtown and Gibbston (past the bungy bridge). With five bridges including an infamous rope swing bridge this relatively easy trail is perfect for families with kids.
Families also love the Sculpture Trail at Kelvin Heights. Looping around the golf course at the end of Kelvin Heights, this is an easy loop trail for families on bike or foot, with many little bays for picnic stops and stunning views along with impressive sculptures – some are tricky to locate, so tell the kids to keep their eyes peeled and see if they can spot them all!
For a unique adventure on two wheels, Segway tours by Seqway on Q are a fun and novel way to explore Queenstown. Run by local guides, these tours take small groups on a scenic meander along the lakefront and through the Queenstown Gardens with plenty of photo opportunities on the way.
Explore the Queenstown area on foot
Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway
A stunning way to while away an hour or two is by getting out into that pure mountain air and exploring a family-friendly short hike or trail. There’s a fantastic range of options in the area.
For a fun and easy outing close to town, stroll around the Queenstown Gardens with its lofty trees, colourful blooms and duck ponds complete with lily pads. Finish at the fun lakefront playground to burn off any excess energy and have a chat with a local for insider knowledge on the area’s hidden gems. Coffee is available right next door at The Bathhouse – a win-win for parents and children. Located on a small peninsular, the gardens have an easy 30-minute walking trail that is perfect for small feet and buggy wheels. Older children will enjoy the disc golf course located in the gardens. Frisbee hire is available from the Queenstown Ice Arena.
For a beautiful family-friendly walk further afield, head northwest along the lake by car to Glenorchy and experience the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway. This one-hour easy loop track starts at the northern end of Glenorchy – head down to the lake on Mull Street to find the signs. This boardwalk track affords amazing views of the surrounding area, and as you’re crossing wetlands there’s plenty of birdlife to see. Picnic tables along the way are perfect spots for a snack and to soak in the views.
A short drive from Queenstown brings you to the Moke Lake Loop Track – a popular short walk and cycle track that feels a world away from the hustle of Queenstown. The track takes you around the edge of the picturesque lake and through grassland while surrounded by towering mountains. After a short climb, you will be rewarded with a stunning lake view.
The Arrowtown River Trail is another easy walk that takes in the beauty of this old gold mining town. Take time to explore the Tohu Whenua Chinese Village and step back in time to see the settlement huts just a five-minute walk from Arrowtown’s centre.
Get closer to nature
Kiwi Encounter, Kiwi Park
Nature encounters not only offer stunning experiences to build fun family memories, they also engage everyone in learning more about the beautiful and precious taonga (treasure) that is our land and wildlife.
Kiwi Park is a family-owned and operated sanctuary home to over 20 native species. Here you can see some of New Zealand’s most iconic wildlife including kiwi, tuatara, and kea. Kids will love the kiwi encounters and interactive conservation talks, with multiple show times daily. Kiwi Park manages breeding programmes and insurance populations. Being primarily visitor-funded, your ticket will help to support their important conservation work.
For a unique viewpoint of the beauty of Queenstown, get out on the crystal clear water of Lake Whakatipu for a little adventure. Explore Queenstown Bay from the main town beach on a 3-Wheel Aqua Bike, a single or double kayak, or a paddleboard with Paddle Queenstown.
For a truly memorable experience, join Light-horse Adventures for a walking-paced ride in the stunning Dart River bed. Cross river systems with a magnificent mountain backdrop as you take in the wilderness on horseback. This guided trek is a ride for everyone!
The awe-inspiring views of Queenstown don’t stop when the sun goes down. Head up the Skyline Gondola to experience a Stargazing tour. Clear, unpolluted skies are perfect for letting your eye and mind explore the amazing sight above us. Top-of-the line telescopes give stargazers the chance to view an amazing array of stunning sights, from the iconic Southern Cross, to nebula, planets, the Milky Way and other galaxies.
Take a ski day
Family at The Remarkables Ski Area
Queenstown’s ski season typically runs until early October. The warmer spring conditions mean softer snow which is great for beginners and families. Queenstown’s ski fields offer a variety of terrain for all levels of skiers and snowboarders and lessons for all ages and abilities.
Indoor fun in Queenstown
iFLY Indoor Skydiving
If you have a day where the spring weather isn’t cooperating, there are still plenty of indoor activities to keep you and your kids entertained.
Head up the road from town towards the Skyline Gondola to find iFLY, where anyone aged five and older can experience the brilliant sensation of flying! The iFLY team can turn almost anyone into a superhero and are committed to an inclusive experience no matter your level of physical ability.
If you’re visiting with older children, they may be brave enough to conquer Fear Factory, a live-action haunted house experience.
Down on the wharf near the KJet base, you will find an underwater adventure. Time Tripper is a state-of-the-art animated show situated under Lake Whakatipu, that tells the Māori Legend of the Lake and the story of the creation of the Whakatipu region, starting 90 million years ago and taking the viewer through to present-day Queenstown. After the 15-minute show, you can check out life under the water – see if you can spot eels, trout and even diving ducks.
Also downtown is Thrillzone – an indoor delight that features state-of-the-art virtual reality gaming, 12D Motion Theatre, an Escape adventure, Lasertag or Heroblast, Paintless Paintball or Bazooka Ball, Putt’N’Glow, and more! Thrillzone also has offer the KidzClub childcare service where you can leave your kids with them for a bit while you enjoy Queenstown in your own way.
There’s fun to be had out at Frankton too with Red Oaks Drive a hub of activities for kids! SITE Trampoline not only has super tramps – the world’s largest and most powerful trampolines – they also have an air bag, foam pit, wall jump, tramp park, skate ramp, and foam boards. Basecamp Adventures is the place to be for indoor climbing while across the road at Game Over, challenge your kids to a race on the go-carts, or let them battle it out with a round of laser tag.
Queenstown’s tasty eats
Fork and Tap, Arrowtown
After a big day of adventures, you’re going to need to fuel up. Here are some local family favourites that provide entertainment for the kids and great food and drinks for parents needing a relaxing break.
- Erik’s Fish and Chips, Queenstown CBD: Nothing beats fish and chips by the lake on a spring afternoon. At Erik’s, the entire menu can be made gluten-free and is certified Halal. The family meal deal is great for a picnic on the lake.
- The Fork and Tap, Arrowtown: With a tree hut and play area in the rear of the garden and plenty of outdoor tables complete with heaters and shelter, this is a firm favourite for families all over Queenstown and makes a great pit stop or final destination after a walk or ride down the riverside.
- The Crown Pub and Beer Garden, Five Mile Frankton: A dedicated indoor playroom gives this British pub-inspired restaurant its family-friendly credentials. Toys, a TV screen and arcade games in an enclosed room might see you having to drag the kids away to eat – but it could also provide a few golden peaceful moments.
- The Hayes, Lake Hayes Estate: An outdoor onsite playground and a location next door to a public park makes this spot in a residential neighbourhood, close to its namesake lake, a favourite for kids and parents alike.
- Margos, Queenstown CBD: With authentic Mexican food in a bright and colourful upstairs location in the centre of town, Margos will bring a smile to even the most tired child’s dial. The kid’s menu echoes the adult one, with less spice and more cheese, and they even do a kids version of a frozen margarita (a slushie!) to match the adult’s real deal.
- Farelli’s Trattoria, Queenstown CBD: This spot on Steamer Wharf downtown has a quintessential Italian vibe, with checked tablecloths and a bustling, vibrant atmosphere. The food caters to all sorts of tastes, with a full vegan menu available as well as a clever kids menu that provides such fussy-kid favourites as plain cheese pizza and pasta without bits.
Queenstown accommodation options
Having at least one bedroom separate from the main living area is key to a family-friendly home base. For this reason, apartment-style lodgings are a great option for those travelling with toddlers in Queenstown. In town, try Highview Apartments, Blue Peaks Lodge and Apartments, Cranbury Courts, Garden Court Suites, The Glebe or The Platinum Villas.
Arrowtown can also be an excellent place to base yourself as there are many great walks, adventures and toddler-friendly activities right on your doorstep. Family accommodation options like Arrowfield Luxury Apartments or Millbrook Resort are ideal. For a cheap and cheerful option – with on-site playgrounds and plenty of room to run around – try Hampshire Holidays Parks, Arrowtown.
If fun in the snow is on the agenda, you might want to consider Arthurs Point, located at the foot of Coronet Peak. The Queenstown Top Ten Holiday Park is here with a wide range of accommodation options to suit most budgets.
Driftaway Queenstown is a modern, family-friendly holiday park located five minutes from ‘everything’. With new, architectural cabins, modern, accessible facilities and plenty of additional extras, your next stay means you can easily access adventure or spend your days relaxing in the idyllic lakeside setting. Take in the sunrise over the lake while you enjoy your morning coffee, then after a day of fun, wind down in a private hot tub under the southern sky.
For easy access to the ski fields and city centre attractions, it’s hard to beat Holiday Inn Express and Suites Queenstown. Arrive, relax and breathe at this 4-star hotel with well-appointed and comfortable rooms complete with a choice of pillows, uncapped Wi-Fi and free Express Start Breakfast or Grab and Go options.
No matter what your family is into, there is something for everyone in Queenstown. There’s so much to do that we recommend an extended stay with time to immerse yourself in all that Queenstown has to offer. Admire those views, connect with the locals, and find those hidden gems.
Written by Kidspot New Zealand for Destination Queenstown.
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