Ice skating

Queenstown has a covered ice arena located in the Queenstown Gardens, providing fun for all ages and abilities. Have a go at ice skating, or even ice hockey. The ice hockey season runs through winter and summer and the local team the Southern Stampede have a very loyal following!

Skiing or snowboarding

With four ski resorts within 90 minutes of downtown, Queenstown is the perfect place to let you kids experience the snow for the first time and kids under five years of age ski free at The Remarkables and Coronet Peak. You just might be amazed at how fast your kids pick it up!

Discover our wildlife

Get close to wildlife at the wildlife park and working farms across Lake Wakatipu. In Queenstown you have the chance to meet a real-life dinosaur, the tuatara, or get up close and personal with brand new spring lambs, highland cattle, llamas and deer.

Ice, Ice Baby

Have an Antarctic adventure when you visit one of Queenstown’s two ice bars, both at temperatures way below zero. Enjoy a non – alcoholic beverage from an ice glass, and see who can stay inside for the longest!

Rock climbing

There’s an indoor climbing wall located at the Queenstown Events Centre (minimum age 8 years old) as well as an outdoor climbing experience for kids aged 10 years and over, be careful you might start a hobby!

Horse trekking

Saddle up and join a horse riding adventure in Glenorchy, Walter Peak, Arrowtown or Ben Lomond; our horse trek operators and locations are second to none.

Paddle Up

Book a kayak or canoe trip with an experienced operator and paddle along the lake side at your own pace. Older kids can paddle their own kayak, while younger ones will be able to sit in front of mum or dad and help!

Gone Fishin'

Prep your reel and head out fishing for the day. You can fish in the lake year round, and the back country rivers open for the season on the 1^st November and close between April and May. You can check these dates at fishandgame.org.nz and make sure you have a fishing licence to avoid fines.

On Your Bike

Try out the Queenstown Trail network of cycle trails, its a great way to see more of Queenstown and you can do as much or as little as you would like! If you don't have your own bikes with you, there are plenty of bike hire options around too for families. For biking of a different kind, take your kids off road on a guided quad bike or buggy adventure, with trips tailored for young explorers.

Mini Golf

Give your kids a taste of golfing at one of Queenstown’s mini golf locations, if they’re showing a talent for the sport, there’s a driving range in Frankton and seven golf courses in the region.

Indoor Fun

For downtime or rainy days there’s plenty of indoor fun including cinema, swimming pools, go karting and trampolines to keep everyone occupied and happy. Wind your way through a live action haunted house, play laser tag or battle it out with paintless paintball, all without stepping outside.