Things to Do in Queenstown With Kids

Queenstown is one of the best places in New Zealand to travel with kids. The mountains and lake make a fantastic backdrop, the town is small and easy to get around, and there’s a long list of things to do that suit every age. From wildlife on the water to farm animals, jet boats and quiet picnics by the lake, your family will find plenty to fill the days.

Here’s our guide to the best family-friendly things to do in Queenstown.

Cruise Milford Sound with the family

If there’s one experience we’d put at the top of your list, it’s a Milford Sound cruise. Our Nature Cruise is brilliant with kids. The open viewing decks give them room to move around, and the wildlife keeps them watching the whole way. They’ll love it when bottlenose dolphins ride the bow wave, or when a fur seal pops up from the rocks.

The cruise takes you through tall cliffs, past waterfalls and into one of the most beautiful corners of the South Island. It’s the kind of day that gets young minds excited about nature. If you’d rather not drive, our Coach & Nature Cruise from Queenstown takes care of the whole trip. You sit back in a glass-roof coach and enjoy the scenery from the moment you leave town.

Get hands-on at a farm tour

For something a bit different, our Coach, Farm Tour & Nature Cruise is a winner with kids. You’ll stop at Walter Peak high country farm on the way through, with the chance to meet sheep, deer and other farm animals, and to see what life on a working New Zealand station looks like. The views across the lake are a bonus for parents, and the whole thing is hands-on and easy to follow.

It’s the kind of activity that feels properly Kiwi, and kids love it.

Explore Queenstown Gardens

Queenstown Gardens is a free, easy outing that works well with little ones. Set on a quiet peninsula on Lake Wakatipu, the gardens have wide paths, big old trees and plenty of space for kids to run around. There’s a disc golf course, a skate park and a playground, so there’s always something to do.

Pack a picnic, grab an ice cream from town and let the kids explore while you take in the mountain views. It’s a lovely way to spend a relaxed morning or afternoon.

Jet boat through the canyon

For families with older kids who want a bit of adrenaline, our Fiordland Jet is a great option. You’ll speed across Lake Te Anau and up the Upper Waiau River, with 360-degree spins and braided river channels along the way. It’s safe, it’s fast, and it’s the kind of thing the kids will be talking about over dinner.

Walk or ride the Queenstown Trail

Queenstown with kids doesn’t have to mean packed days. The Queenstown Trail is a network of walking and cycling tracks that wind along the lake and river, through vineyards and past lovely lookouts. Plenty of sections are flat and easy enough for younger kids, and you can hire bikes (including kids’ bikes and trailers) from a few spots in town.

It’s a relaxed way to explore at your own pace and to keep the kids moving.

Wildlife spotting on the water

For families who love nature, a Milford Sound cruise with us doubles as a brilliant wildlife day. Kids are wide-eyed when bottlenose dolphins arrive, fur seals laze on the rocks, and if you’re lucky a rare Fiordland crested penguin (tawaki) appears along the shore. The open decks give little ones a clear view, and our crew are happy to point out what’s hiding around the next bend.

A treat for the parents: a Queenstown wine tour

Here’s one for the grown-ups. If you can line up a babysitter or grandparents for an afternoon, our Queenstown Wine Tour is a brilliant way to see Central Otago. You’ll visit a hand-picked group of cellar doors in Gibbston Valley, try the region’s pinot noir and let someone else do the driving. It’s an adults-only trip, so you can properly relax.

Making the most of Queenstown with kids

A few quick tips for families visiting:

• Book popular activities early, especially through the school holidays and peak summer.
• Layer up. The weather can shift quickly, and it’s often cooler by the lake.
• Don’t try to cram too much in. Kids need downtime, and the lakefront is a great spot for a spontaneous play.
• Ask us about family pricing and combo deals when you book.

Queenstown is one of those rare places that has something for every age group. From the open decks of a Milford Sound cruise to a morning meeting farm animals, from a jet boat ride to a simple picnic in the gardens, your family will leave with memories to keep.

Ready to explore Milford Sound with the family?

We’d love to show your crew the best of Fiordland. Our Coach & Nature Cruise takes the driving off your plate, gets the kids up close to dolphins, seals and waterfalls, and gives you a full day in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful corners. We promise the whole family will leave smiling.

Book our Milford Sound Coach & Nature Cruise