Queenstown is located in the southern lakes region of the South Island, New Zealand. It is surrounded by the soaring heights of the Remarkables and framed by Lake Wakatipu. It is known as the “Adventure Capital of the World” and most people come here to do crazy things that they’ve never done before! Here’s our guide to some of the best things to do in Queenstown with kids.
We had three days to explore Queenstown and all it had to offer. And believe me there’s a lot on offer. Queenstown offers more than 200 adventurous activities, which appeal to both the young and the young-at-heart. Unfortunately we arrived in the rain, which continued for most of our time in this remarkable town. Never mind, we’ll just have to go back another time!
THINGS TO DO IN QUEENSTOWN WITH KIDS
- RIDING THE SKLINE GONDOLA AND LUGE
- HURTLE DOWN THE RIVER ON SKIPPERS CANYON JET
- TRY BUNGEE JUMPING IF YOU DARE…
- EAT AMAZING BURGERS
- SAMPLE SOME LOCAL WINE (ADULTS ONLY OF COURSE!)
- TRY YOUR HAND AT GOLD PANNING IN ARROWTOWN
- VISIT A VINEYARD OR TWO (AND SAMPLE SOME MORE WINE!)
RIDING THE SKLINE GONDOLA AND LUGE
On our first morning we awoke to grey and cloudy skies, but we didn’t let it stop us! We rode the Skyline Gondola up to the mountain peak in Queenstown. While on the mountaintop we all rode the luge several times, accessed via a chairlift.
The luge is similar to a toboggan, except that these we needed to steer down a concrete track. It was great fun.
We loved racing down the track, until that is, someone hit Flynn and knocked him out of his toboggan. After the medics had seen to him and with a few cuts and bruises he was back on his toboggan for an extra two rides. The things some people do to get extra turns..!
HURTLE DOWN THE RIVER ON SKIPPERS CANYON JET
A very popular thing to do in Queenstown is to take a jet-boat ride through the canyons. Imagine boarding a jet-boat that hurtles through narrow canyons at high speed purposely getting close to the rock walls! Add in 360 degrees turns and you get the idea. We chose Skippers Canyon Jet, as they are known for their highly scenic rides and great value.
The bus ride into the Canyon is definitely part of the thrill and not for the faint hearted. There’s a gravel road, steep valley sides, huge drop offs and amazing views.
Our ride was full of thrills, racing past rocks, cliff faces and plenty of spins. It was a brilliant experience which left us all with huge smiles and wanting more.
Top Tip: Wear plenty of clothes as even in the summer time and in the extra waterproof layer that you’re given for the ride it gets very cold. Gloves would be an excellent idea. My hands were absolutely freezing at the end of the ride.
TRY BUNGEE JUMPING IF YOU DARE…
Bungee (or bungy) jumping, originated in Queenstown. A couple of young kiwis, AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch, set up the first commercial buggy jumping operation, with a jump from the Kawarau Bridge in 1988. Since then, more than 3,500,000 have jumped from the bridge! New Zealand has become the home of bungee.
If you have adventurous loving, older kids, here are some of the things you should know:
- Minimum age of 10.
- Minimum weight 35 kg or 77 lb. Some kids may meet the minimum age requirement but still not weigh enough to jump.
- Maximum weight 235 kg or 518 lb. This can be combined tandem weight as tandem jumping is allowed.
If you want to try bungee jumping in Queenstown then read No Regrets:Bungee Jumping in New Zealand from 4 Worn Passports. A real bucket list experience when in Queenstown with kids.
Submitted by Kellie at 4 Worn Passports
EAT AMAZING BURGERS
Queenstown is famous for it’s burgers and we chose to eat at Devil Burger, where the locals eat their burgers. The burgers were delicious. After all those adrenalin activities burgers are the perfect food!
SAMPLE SOME LOCAL WINE (ADULTS ONLY OF COURSE!)
Right in the centre of Queenstown you’ll find The Winery, a wine tasting bar, where you can sample over eighty New Zealand wines! We spent an enjoyable hour or so here, on a rainy afternoon, sampling the delights of New Zealand wine. The boys were perfectly happy with some down time to read their books.
TRY YOUR HAND AT GOLD PANNING IN ARROWTOWN
On our last day in Queenstown we visited Arrowtown, a former gold mining town from the 1860’s. Many of the buildings remain from this period although the gold has long gone (so we were told!) It is a quaint little town, well worth a visit. Finally the sun came out.
Top Tip: Visit the wonderful old fashioned Remarkable Sweet Shop in Arrowtown with the kids.
VISIT A VINEYARD OR TWO (AND SAMPLE SOME MORE WINE!)
Amisfield Winery is one of the first and finest wine producers in this region. Located just 15 minutes drive from Queenstown and surrounded by the stunning Remarkables mountains and Otago countryside. Can easily combine with a trip to Arrowtown as it’s located on the road to the old mining settlement.
There’s an outdoor seating area and a grassy area so children have some freedom, although there is nothing specifically for the kids. Amisfield also has a Bistro which gets great reviews (for anyone with babysitters!) William and Kate visited this vineyard when they toured New Zealand in 2014.
Gibbston Valley Winery is another superb winery to visit, with a wonderful restaurant and cellar door menu. Try the platters. You won’t be disappointed. There is also the opportunity to tour the vineyard and try the wine.
WHERE WE STAYED IN QUEENSTOWN WITH KIDS
We stayed at the Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park for three nights in our camper van. The holiday park has some views of the mountains but it is a little out of town (too far to walk), although they do provide an hourly shuttle bus to and from Queenstown. It is a small campsite and you are quite close to your neighbours!
A variety of accommodation is also available, including family studios and apartments, which can sleep up to six people. There is a small children’s playground, go-karts for rent and the only jumping pillow in Queenstown.
Have you visited Queenstown with kids? What were your favourite things to do?
FOR MORE ON NEW ZEALAND:
18 Fantastic Things To Do on the South Island of New Zealand with Kids
Touring New Zealand in a Campervan
Visiting the Stunning Milford Sound with Kids
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15 Comments.
Beautiful , stay warm
Visited Queenstown on my honeymoon but not taken the kids there yet! They’d love all of those activities
#fearlessfamtrav
A place to return too in the future. My boys loved all the adventurous activities in Queenstown.
Queenstown sounds so fun for when the kids are older and more adventurous. #fearlessfamtrav
Queenstown has so much to offer, particularly if you’re adventurous!
I visited Queenstown towards the end of a backpacking adventure, I’d run out of money by that point and couldn’t afford many of the activities, I’ll have to return with my kids when they’re a bit older. I love the look of the luge and the speed boat but think I’ll pass on the bungee! #Fearlessfamtrav
We were the same when we first visited New Zealand as poor students on a backpacking adventure! We did a lot more this time around with the kids.
So many adventurous things to do. My girls would love the Canyon Jet #fearlessfamtrav
My boys so loved the jet-boating…and immediately wanted to do it again right after we came off!
We are so excited to visit New Zealand with the kids…when they’re a little older. We have friends who live in Nelson so have a great excuse to make the long journey. I might have to watch them do some of these activities with my eyes closed though! #fearlessfamtrav
You’ll have a great time. It’s a stunning country with so much to see and do.
Looks like great fun there – and nice to see the kids getting in on the action experiences! #fearlessfamtrav
Queenstown is full of fun, adrenalin fuelled experiences!
We didn’t budget nearly enough time for queenstown! You packed in lots more adventure than us but we did have a toddler #fearessfamtrav
Gives you a reason to go back! Queenstown is definitely the most adventure loving place we’ve been.