Family Spring Holiday in Queenstown

With snow still on the slopes, new growth in the valleys, and warmer, longer days, you can do it all - ski, bike, hike, and relax amidst the beauty of the mountains. This guide to spring family fun in Queenstown covers time on the slopes and the trails, adventures in nature, and free fun, as well as kid-friendly places to stay and eat. You’ll find ideas for both indoor and outdoor activities so you can make the most of every moment.

Late Season Skiing & Snow Play

Three ski resorts near Queenstown are open until early October. All offer lessons for kids and great progression from beginner to intermediate slopes. You can hire all the gear you need, although if you need to kit out very tiny humans, we do recommend booking in advance. Children five and under ski for free at Coronet Peak and the Remarkables.

• Coronet Peak offer ski lessons from age four and snowboarding classes from age seven. Your littlies can hang out at Skiwiland, a childcare centre for two to five years.
• The Remarkables have lessons and coaching for children from four years old.
• Cardrona Alpine Resort has a kids' ski and snowboard school and a childcare centre.

If your kids already have their snow legs, you’re in for a treat. Warm up on the lower slopes then gradually progress up the mountain as you all get into your groove. This guide to planning a family ski holiday in Queenstown is full of more great advice.

You don’t have to be a family of skiers to have fun in the snow. Buy a sightseeing pass and take a gondola ride to the summit of Coronet Peak. You can hire a toboggan, build a snowman, and spark an epic snowball fight in the snow play area.

Bike Rides & Family Walks

Spring in Queenstown is all about snowy peaks and valleys bursting with bird song, fresh green buds, and new grass. Ski in the morning and bike or hike in the afternoon to make the most of the daylight and the warmer weather.

One of the jewels of the region is the Queenstown Trail, a network of over 150kms of off-road trails running from Queenstown into the Gibbston valley with detours via Arrowtown, Coronet Peak, Arthur’s Point, and Kelvin Heights. Two much-loved family-friendly rides are the Arrow River Bridges Trail, and the Kelvin Heights loop. Hire a bike or an e-bike and explore.

The Arrow River Bridges Trail

The Arrow River Bridges Trail runs 13km from the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown to the Kawarau Bridge – a two to three hour return trip. The scenic route crosses and recrosses the Arrow River on five suspension bridges with plenty of spots for a picnic or even a dip in the river (if the sun is shining and you’re feeling brave). When you get to Kawarau Bridge the kids will be in awe at the bungy jumpers throwing themselves off the bridge into the gorge. 

The Kelvin Peninsula Trail

The Kelvin Peninsula Trail is an extension of the Frankton Track, an easy 8.5km trail that takes you out along the Frankton Arm of Lake Whakatipu. At the Kawarau Falls Bridge the Kelvin Peninsula Trail follows the lakeshore for a further 9.3km. When you get to the end of the peninsula, the trail loops around the Kelvin Heights Golf Course, with spectacular views, secret beaches, and sculptures by New Zealand artists. The whole adventure is a 3-4 hour return trip.

Nature Walks with Epic Views

For a short stroll with the kids, don’t miss local favourite, the Bob’s Cove walk. This gem is 14km from Queenstown on the road to Glenorchy. Follow a track down to the lake shore through native woodland and an old limestone quarry with interesting info panels along the way. The trail continues to a lookout point where a scramble up the hill rewards you with panoramic views over the lake and surrounding peaks. The easy walk is a 3km loop.

On the way to Arrowtown, the Lake Hayes Loop track takes about two hours to walk the entire circuit, but you can tackle a section and turn whenever you want. The walk has stunning views, rope swings for the kids, and the lake is great for spotting birds. Great crested grebes, swamp harriers, and herons are all regulars, and you may even see a New Zealand falcon.

After a big morning of biking or hiking, sometimes a little indoor action is just what’s needed - and Queenstown has no shortage of fun-filled options the whole family will love.

Indoor Adventures

Queenstown has just as much fun indoors as it does outdoors, perfect for when you want to mix up your adventures or the kids need to burn off extra energy.

Thrillzone is a wonderland for kids and big kids alike. There’s a race car simulator, indoor mini golf, a sensory 3D movie adventure, and virtual reality escape rooms. There’s also a supervised kids’ club if you’d like a few hours to explore Queenstown without the kids.

Escape Quest is a virtual reality escape room in central Queenstown. Select your virtual avatar, gear up for your adventures, and embark on a dramatic quest with storylines inspired by Assassin's Creed, the Odyssey, and the Prince of Persia trilogy.

SITE Trampoline park in Frankton has a room packed with super tramps, along with a  foam pit, wall jump, and skate ramp. It’s plenty of fun even for mini-bouncers.

Basecamp Adventures in Frankton has a bouldering wall with routes for all levels and a huge cave. No experience is required. Clip ‘N Climb is also for everyone with full training and a variety of climbs from easy routes for preschoolers to climbing challenges for older kids.

When you’re ready to head outdoors again, Queenstown’s landscapes are teeming with wildlife and history just waiting to be explored.

Nature & Wildlife Encounters

Introduce the kids to the local environment and wildlife or explore one of the original colonial sheep stations established in the late 1880s.

The Wildlife Sanctuary in the Heart of Queenstown

Kiwi Park is eight acres of forest wildlife sanctuary where fantail, kererū, bellbird, and tūi nest in central Queenstown and kids can learn about New Zealand conservation. The park breeds endangered species for release including whio, pātake, kiwi, kākā, kea, and skinks. The Kiwi House is a wonderful opportunity to get up close with North Island brown kiwi.

The Underwater Observatory

The Time Tripper Underwater Experience takes you back in time, telling the story of the creation of Lake Whakatipu and the Māori legend of the lake. Afterwards, hang out in the Underwater Observatory enjoying the passing eels, trout, and diving ducks.

The High-Country Farm

Take a trip across the lake on the TSS Earnslaw steamship to tour the farm at Walter Peak. Early European settler Nicholas Von Tunzelman established a sheep run here, then the Mackenzie family took over the land in the late 1880s and farmed the property successfully for 80 years. Meet sheep, cows, goats, and alpaca, feed the animals, see sheep dogs in action, and explore the station gardens, before enjoying an old-school high-country tea.

Queenstown’s paid activities and experiences are world-class, but there’s also plenty of family magic you can enjoy without spending a cent, from playgrounds and river walks to frisbee golf in the gardens.

Free Fun

There’s plenty of free fun to be had in and around Queenstown too, with playgrounds, river walks, and the fantastic Queenstown Gardens frisbee golf course.

Lakefront Playgrounds

The Bathhouse Playground is on Marine Parade as you enter the Queenstown Gardens. This playground got a big upgrade a few years ago, and it’s a wonderland with huge slides, climbing nets, seesaws, and swings. There are walkways through the trees, rope swings over the stream, and lakeside willows to climb. Grab a coffee from the Bathhouse Cafe (bring your reusable cup) and sit in the spring sun while the kids run wild.

The St Omer Park playground is on Lake Esplanade opposite the Queenstown Gardens overlooking the lake. As well as the playground, there are barbecues to cook up some sausages, and plenty of grassy space to pop down a picnic rug and enjoy the views.

Queenstown Gardens Frisbee Golf

The Queenstown Gardens are home to one of the most spectacular Frisbee Golf courses in the world. Play 18 holes across varying terrain, from manicured lawns surrounded by rose gardens, groves of pine trees, and a windswept spot at the end of the peninsula jutting out into the lake. You can hire discs from the Queenstown Ice Arena.

Arrowtown River Walks

Hop on a bus to Arrowtown and spend an afternoon wandering the quaint streets of this historic town and walking along the river. There’s plenty to explore with the old Chinese goldminers’ settlement, swimming holes (although it may be a bit on the nippy side in early spring) and rope swings hanging from the surrounding willow trees. You can even hire a gold pan from the Lakes District Museum and try your hand at making your fortune from the river.

Family Friendly Places to Stay & Eat

It’s good to know you’re going to get a warm welcome with your family, so we’ve put together a mini guide to some of our favourite family-friendly places in Queenstown to eat and stay.

Family-friendly Queenstown accommodation

From hotels with family perks to holiday parks by the lake, Queenstown has plenty of places that make travelling with kids easy.

For hotel comfort, Novotel Queenstown Lakeside includes free accommodation and breakfast for up to two children under 16, plus a children’s corner with toys and games, while Kamana Lakehouse welcomes younger guests with warm hospitality and stunning lake views.

If self-catering is your style, apartments like Cranbury Court Apartments (just 10 minutes from central Queenstown) and Highview Apartments (with BBQ area, gym, and outdoor spa) offer space to relax and prepare meals.

For a more laid-back holiday park vibe, Hampshire Holiday Parks - Queenstown Lakeview is close to town, while Driftaway Queenstown in Frankton offers cabins, playgrounds, games rooms, and hot tubs right on the lakefront.

This guide to family accommodation in Queenstown has more ideas for places to stay.

Kid-approved Queenstown eateries

Queenstown’s dining scene has plenty of spots where kids are welcome and parents can relax.

For family-style dining, head to Farelli’s by Giovi for authentic Italian or The Cow for hearty pizza and spaghetti. If you’re craving bold flavours, Margos serves colourful Mexican-inspired dishes, while burger lovers can choose between the iconic Fergburger or the equally tasty Devil Burger, which has a kids menu.

Cafés are also a hit with families — the Bathhouse sits right by the playground on the beach, Joe’s Garage in Five Mile offers relaxed all-day favourites, and Balls & Bangles is a treat for milkshake-and-donut lovers. For a casual dinner with craft beer for the grown-ups, The World Bar is a local favourite.

Need more ideas for family eateries? This guide to where to eat with kids in Queenstown will have you sorted with a table in no time.

Plan your Queenstown family adventure for spring

Whether you’re here for snow play, lakeside adventures, or exploring nature together, spring in Queenstown makes it all possible. Stay for a week, spend quality time connecting as a family and create lifelong memories.