2 DAY
DAY 1:
Breakfast at Bespoke Kitchen
Take a ride at the Skyline Gondola followed by Queenstown Bike Park
Try activities at Kawarau Bridge Bungy or Shotover Jet (Queenstown’s signature activities)
Have a sunset drink at Atlas Beer Cafe followed by dinner at Public Kitchen & Bar (try bay hopping between Zephyr, World Bar and Smiths Craft Beer House)
DAY 2:
Breakfast at Yonder
Devote the morning to skiing, skydiving, white-water rafting or riverboarding.
In the afternoon, take to two wheels on the Queenstown Trail, or try your hand at the Frisbee golf course in the Queenstown Gardens
Have dinner at Blue Kanu before winding down with a quiet fireside wine at Bardeaux
4 DAY
DAY 1:
Breakfast at Bespoke Kitchen
Take a ride at the Skyline Gondola followed by Queenstown Bike Park
Try activities at Kawarau Bridge Bungy or Shotover Jet (Queenstown’s signature activities)
Have a sunset drink at Atlas Beer Cafe followed by dinner at Public Kitchen & Bar (try bay hopping between Zephyr, World Bar and Smiths Craft Beer House)
DAY 2:
Breakfast at Yonder
Devote the morning to skiing, skydiving, white-water rafting or riverboarding.
In the afternoon, take to two wheels on the Queenstown Trail, or try your hand at the Frisbee golf course in the Queenstown Gardens
Have dinner at Blue Kanu before winding down with a quiet fireside wine at Bardeaux
DAY 3
Head to Arrowtown
Brunch at Chop Shop, stroll Buckingham St and then continue on to the Gibbston wineries
Return to Arrowntown for an evening at Blue Door or La Rumbla
DAY 4
After breakfast, drive along the lakeshore to tiny Glenorchy
Have lunch at the Glenorchy Cafe and then drive to the Routeburn Track trailhead for a short tramp on one of NZ’s finest trails
7 DAY
DAY 1
Visit Queenstown’s pool complex complete with two hydro-slides and a lazy river
If you’re visiting in summer, the Arrowtown outdoor swimming pool opens early December through to late February.
Explore lakeside tracks, gardens in the city
Climb the iconic Basket of Dreams sculpture, with incredible views across Lake Wakatipu
Head to the Department of Conservation office on Stanley Street
DAY 2
Take a day trip to Arrowtown
Go gold-panning on the Arrow River, you never know what you might find!
Visit the Lakes District Museum and the Chinese Village and shop at the many child friendly stores
Enjoy takeaway dinner on the beach, with fish and chips, gourmet burgers, pizza and many other takeaway restaurants available downtown
DAY 3
Explore two working farms in Queenstown to experience the real South Island rural life. Both are accessed by boat, making the trips at least a half day activity. There’s also a birdlife park located right in the heart of Queenstown, where you might be lucky enough to spot a kiwi, as well as 30 other species of animals
Head to Skyline Queenstown
Pop into a café on the way, or dine at one of the food and beverage outlets at the top of Bobs Peak
DAY 4
Bike your way through the beautiful lakeside tracks around Queenstown and Glenorchy (you can hire bikes from centrally located rental companies)
Go for a jet boat trip on the Kawarau or Shotover Rivers, Lake Wakatipu or up the stunning Dart River. Trips vary from 30 minutes, to over half a day including forest walks and four wheel driving, so research which suits your timetable and budget, and go from there.
DAY 5
There are two cinemas showing the latest blockbusters, as well as go-karting, laser tag, 4D rides, mini-golf, a haunted house, an indoor trampoline centre, and ten pin bowling. Four wheel drive, quad bikes and buggy tours also operate in wet weather so don’t let a bit of rain put you off getting outside (check out minimum age requirements when you book)
Have a night off the kids and book one of Queenstown’s in house babysitting services, then enjoy a special night out with a meal at a restaurant along the waterfront, or hideaway in a laneway restaurant for an intimate dining experience
DAY 6
Try out zipline, swing, skydive or bungy activities, there are height and weight restrictions for children, so make sure you check out these limitations before getting up there
For the less adventurous there’s a great viewing spot at the Kawarau Gorge historic bridge, a thirty minute drive out of central Queenstown.
Load up the picnic basket and head out to Kelvin Heights beach, Lake Hayes, the Village Green, or Queenstown waterfront for a picnic dinner. There are also BBQ’s available along the Lake Esplanade for public use
DAY 7
Horse trekking is a fabulous way to sightsee the regions beauty on horseback. There are tours available to suit all riding levels, as well as many locations offering a diverse range of scenery depending on what you’re looking for. You might find yourself in the middle of a working farm, or in the Glenorchy country side underneath snow-capped mountains.
