Last week, I shared a detailed breakdown of what our Queenstown + Milford Sound trip cost us as a family travelling from Australia.
This time, I wanted to flip the focus. Instead of dollars, this is about what we actually did in Queenstown with kids – what kept them engaged, what surprised us, and what I’d happily do again (and what I’d skip).
We’ve visited Queenstown in both winter and summer with three kids under 10. We stayed at the Top 10 Holiday Park and kept things flexible, sometimes driving, sometimes using public transport, and not packing too much into one day.
We weren’t trying to do everything. Some days were busy, some were slow – because with kids, energy and moods matter just as much as the plan.
Rather than a “top 10” list, this is simply what we did roughly in the order we experienced it with notes on what worked, what the kids loved, and what we’d skip next time.
Milford Sound (Amazing but it’s a full day)
Milford Sound was the main attraction for us, but it’s not something you casually fit in between other plans.
We started very early around 4am to make our 11:30am cruise, and it really did take the whole day. Between the drive, stops, the cruise itself, and getting back, this was a long one for the kids.
I’ve already shared the full trip details in a separate article, including where we stopped along the way and what the experience was like, so I won’t repeat it all here.
👉 You can read that full Milford Sound family guide here:
https://www.familiesmagazine.com.au/milford-sound-family-travel/
A couple of practical tips based on our experience:
- Winter: Have a proper plan for snow driving. Roads can be icy, and you may need snow chains, so make sure your rental allows them and you’re comfortable using them.
- Summer: Much easier drive overall, but it’s still a long drive. Once you leave Te Anau, there’s not much until Milford Sound, so make sure fuel and food stops are sorted before heading out.
- Cruise bookings: If you book the cruise directly, it can cost around $150 per person. We used a discount coupon and paid closer to $120, which makes a big difference for families.
Queenstown CBD Day (Slow, easy, and kid-friendly after Milford)
After a full day at Milford Sound, we kept the next day simple and stayed around Queenstown CBD.
Parking in the CBD is very hard, especially coming from the Top 10 Holiday Park, so we used public transport instead. The bus ride was around 17 minutes on the No. 4 bus, which worked well with kids and saved a lot of stress.
Once in the CBD, we mostly just wandered. We spent time along the waterfront, walked through the streets, and let the kids set the pace rather than rushing between activities.
For lunch, we went to Fergburger. Yes, the line was long – but honestly, it’s worth trying at least once.
Later in the day, we finished with iFLY, which was a big hit with the kids and a nice way to end the day without too much walking.
Tips from our day:
- Parking: Avoid driving into the CBD if you can. Public transport was much easier.
- Fergburger: If you see a big line, don’t be tempted to skip it – it’s worth the wait. A good strategy is letting the kids enjoy the waterfront or play area while one parent lines up for food.
- Pacing: After a long Milford day, keeping things central and flexible really helps.
- Winter tip: In winter, concrete footpaths can have hidden ice, especially in shaded areas. Wear shoes with good grip. I slipped right outside Domino’s Pizza – didn’t even see the ice.
Best Photo Spots, Tiny Huts & a Budget-Friendly Family Day
It’s about a 50-minute scenic drive from Queenstown and honestly one of the best photo spots in the region. The views along the way are stunning, and we stopped a few times just to take it all in. Glenorchy itself is beautiful and peaceful, but to be honest, the kids got a little bored after a while because there isn’t a lot of action.
From there, we headed to Arrowtown’s Chinese Settlement, and that completely changed the mood. The kids loved exploring the tiny huts and learning about how families lived during the gold rush days. Both places were enjoyable, relaxed, and perfect for a low-budget day without needing to spend much.
Queenstown Nightlife… With Kids? Yes, Even the Ice Bar!
Queenstown has a vibrant nightlife, but we still wanted something different that the kids could enjoy too. One evening we visited the Ice Bar, and it turned out to be a really fun and memorable experience. The kids were excited from the moment we walked in, especially seeing everything made from ice – the walls, sculptures, and even the glasses. They loved dressing up in the warm jackets and gloves and taking photos, which kept them engaged the whole time. It felt like a unique activity rather than a typical night out, and it was a great way to end the day without too much walking or planning. If you’re travelling with kids and want something a bit special in the evening, this is definitely worth considering.
Coronet Peak Ski Day (One of the Highlights of Our Winter Trip)
In winter, we spent a full day skiing at Coronet Peak, and it was easily one of the best experiences for the whole family. We booked a full-day training session for both kids and adults, which made a huge difference because everyone learned at their own pace and felt more confident on the slopes. We’ve also skied at Mt Ruapehu before, but we found the snow at Coronet Peak much softer and fluffier, which meant even when we fell (and we did many times!), it didn’t hurt much. That gave the kids more confidence to keep trying. One tip that really worked for us was taking the ski bus from Queenstown instead of driving. It drops you right in front of reception, which makes everything much easier, especially when you’re carrying kids, gear, and bags. You can also hire all your ski gear onsite, and honestly, that was the best option. It saved time, reduced stress, and meant we didn’t have to worry about transporting equipment back and forth.
Overall, Queenstown was a great family destination because we kept things flexible and balanced busy days with slower ones. Some activities were big highlights, while others were simple but memorable. In my next article, I’ll be sharing our family experiences in Wanaka — what we did, what the kids loved, and how it compares to Queenstown
