Queenstown has family fun on offer for all ages, from littlies through to tweens and teenagers. Keeping the kids as entertained and excited as their parents as you all explore what the region has to offer. From mild to wild you’ll find activities and attractions to cater to each age and stage of your family.

For the blood pumping thrills that Queenstown is famous for, the choice is a difficult one with activities like skydiving, bungy jumping, jetboating, skiing, quad biking, buggy tours and paragliding all on offer.
Many parents are surprised to learn that while age, height and weight restrictions apply on many adventure activities they are often more family friendly than you might imagine – for example would you let your 10 year old bungy jump or skydive? It pays to do your research online beforehand to avoid disappointment.

If you’re looking for a little less high-octane excitement then there are plenty of great options to suit every age, ability and budget.  Popular choices for families include steamship or boat cruises on the lake, a trip up the gondola, luging, mini golf, bowling, frisbee golf, indoor carting, ice skating, underwater observatory, farm tours and kiwi birdlife park to name but a few.

A great place to take the children for a day out is the picturesque former goldmining village of Arrowtown, a short 20 minute drive away.  Here you can step back in time and explore the quaint tree-lined streets, old miners’ cottages, restored Chinese Village and spend a couple of hours wandering around the fascinating Lakes District Museum.

If you’re keen to get right away from it all and enjoy a slice of paradise then head up to Glenorchy, a tiny frontier town which is a spectacular 45-minute lakeside drive from Queenstown.  There are plenty of great photo spots along the way not to mention amazing views all the way to keep the kids interest.

From here on, the upper reaches of Lake Wakatipu are considered ‘Lord of the Rings’ country – literally.  The stunning snowcapped mountains, pristine lakes, rivers and National Parks around Glenorchy featured prominently in the blockbuster trilogy and seeing them in the flesh will transport you directly to Middle Earth.  If you’re a real movie buff then check out the fun and highly educational tours which run from Queenstown.

Glenorchy is a gorgeous spot for a family picnic and if you’re keen to get up close and personal with the scenery then try wilderness jet boating, horse riding, kayaking or one of the renowned Routeburn, Greenstone and Caples walking tracks.

Hiking and biking are perfect ways to spend some quality family time and explore the great outdoors.  Some of the most scenic trails in the world are within five minutes walk from downtown Queenstown and suit all ages and abilities.  The Queenstown Trail also offers an extensive network of walking and cycling trails with the different tracks suitable for different ages and abilities, check out the trail map to find a path for your family.

From Queenstown you can explore walking tracks that range from half-hour easy lakeside tracks to multi-day hikes like the Routeburn Track, which is classed as one of New Zealand’s Great Walks and starts near Glenorchy, just 40 minutes drive from Queenstown.

For bike enthusiasts there are more 100km of easy gradient scenic tracks, wine trails, backcountry trails, serious downhill rides, a jump park, the Skyline gondola-assisted bike trail (September – May) and the ‘all ages, all abilities’ Rabbit Ridge bike resort.

Rainy days can put a dampener on family holidays, being cooped up all day in a room with bored children. In Queenstown you’ll never run out of things to do – rain, hail or shine. There is a wide range of wet weather attractions including mazes, 4WD and buggy tours, 4D motion rides, an indoor dry-slope terrain park, site trampolining, indoor golf experience.