Here's our choices for Queenstowns Best Family Activities

As a family friendly holiday destination, Queenstown has few rivals. No matter what time of year, there's a never ending variety of things to see and do here, with everything from mild to wild, and it's a place that the kids just love. But we know that choosing the right activities can be difficult, so here's our picks for Queenstowns best family activities (you can search a huge range of Queenstown activities here).

the skyline gondola - our top pick for Queenstowns best family activities

Well, in our opinion, this is at the top of Queenstowns best family activities list.

Set aside a few hours, head up Brecon Street to the Skyline Gondola (there's a pay as you use car park if you don't want to walk up the hill). Take a moment to get some pictures of the gondola as the cars ascend and descend, then head inside and choose your package.

For the full family experience, we would include the gondola ride, some luge rides (the more the better lol, it's addictive), and dinner at Stratosfare restaurant (be sure to book a window table), followed by a star gazing tour.

The ride up is awe-inspiring and the views are incredible. Once at the top, take some time to get to know where everything is, then enjoy.

You can learn more on their website here.

Go stargazing

If you love star gazing you will love New Zealand, particularly the Southern Lakes region around Queenstown.

A lack of artificial light creates perfect conditions for watching the stars, and the Kawarau Gibston Dark Sky Park has been officially recognised by the IDA (International Dark Sky Association) as a "Dark Sky" place. You can find it at 2328 Gibbston Highway. Covering around 25 square kilometres, the park offers many perfect spots to observe the heavens. Towering mountains and steep gorges shield the skies from encroaching artificial light.

But there are many similar locations close to Queenstown. All you need to do is choose a clear night, then take a drive down a secluded road of your choosing, and pick your spot. The road to Glenorchy is a favourite.

But if you want to learn alittle bit more about the Universe, maybe an organised tour would be worth trying.

The Skyline complex on Bob's Peak offer nightly star gazing tours from March to October. Ride the gondola 450 metres above town, where there's no artificial light, and be mesmerised by the beauty of the night sky through powerful telescopes. Their guides are on hand to help you view the astral features unique to the Southern Hemisphere.

Head over the Crown Range to Wanaka

Around 1 hours drive over the Crown Range, the beautiful lakeside town of Wanaka is a wonderful place to spend some quality family time.

Located on the shores of Lake Wanaka, and overlooked by the towering ranges of Mt. Aspiring National Park, Wanaka is a visual feast. One of New Zealand's most photographed natural attractions, "That Wanaka Tree" is a must stop.

But there's so much more to see and do here. Across the road from the town centre there's a small jetty out into the lake. Kids love "trout spotting" as huge rainbow and brown trout circle below.

Just out of town, Puzzling World is a bit of an icon here, and has been operating since 1973. There's a maze, baffling illusion rooms, interactive displays, and an onsite cafe and gift shop. It's easy to spend hours here, and it's a real "all ages" attraction.

For the kids (and "former kids") the National Transport and Toy Museum is a fascinating place. It's filled with exhibitions from days gone by, with everything from trucks and machinery, to aircraft, vintage cars and toys.

On the way to or from Wanaka, allow some time to have a meal at the historic Cardrona Hotel. What a lovely setting.

You can search a range of Wanaka activities below:

a jetboat ride is a must do in queenstown

For a thrilling family adventure you can't beat a jetboat ride. This kiwi invention is capable of traveling in only a few centimetres of water, and is perfectly suited to the waterways around Queenstown.

There's a few different operators including the iconic Shotover Jet, the Kawarau Jet and Dart River Adventures. All offer a slightly different experience, but all are fantastic.

The Shotover Jet thunders through a huge gorge on the Shotover River and is accessed from Arthur's Point, around 15 minutes drive from town.

The Kawarau Jet is based at the wharf in town, and takes you across Lake Wakatipu then into the twists and turns of the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers.

Dart River Adventures features the longest ride, at around 2 hours. Your skipper transports you into some pristine back country in the Mt. Inspiring National Park, for some of the most incredible wilderness scenery imaginable.

Life under the lake at the Queenstown Underwater Observatory

If you head down to Marine Parade at the wharf in town, you will find the Time Tripper attraction. It's a great family attraction and includes an underwater viewing of huge eel, trout, and diving ducks, together with a video presentation called "Time Tripper" which traces the creation of the region and the Maori legend of the lake.

At the time of writing, tickets were under $20 for adults, and less than $10 for children. It's also a good wet weather activity. The site is also home to the Kawarau Jet.

See our iconic Kiwi at the Kiwi Park

Located about 5 minutes walk from the town centre at 51 Brecon Street, the Kiwi Park showcases our iconic national treasure, the Kiwi.

These secretive, nocturnal birds are almost impossible to see in the wild, but at Kiwi Park you can view not only the Kiwi, but around twenty species of native birds and reptiles, including the Tuatara.

Set in 5 acres of native bush, the park features a range of displays including Kiwi encounters, a conservation show, and a honey bee centre.

Search a huge range of things to do in Queenstown here

Thanks for taking the time to read our Queenstowns Best Family Activities page. Please Contact Us if you have any questions.