Holiday with Children in Queenstown - Casual Fun: Queenstown Gardens
So you've decided to make the journey down to us in Queenstown. We are super excited to see you! Our fabulous lakeside Queenstown apartments are a perfect home away from home for your stay and vacation. Our properties are up-to-date, modern, well-managed and have all the amenities of home! They are the perfect accommodation to come and visit Queenstown for a young family on holiday!
We've thought of a few things that you can do that we would call 'Casual Fun' - meaning that as a family, you can go, explore and have fun without extensive pre-organisation or stress. This is the sort of family adventure we love to share!
Queenstown Gardens
Take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Queenstown Gardens, in the middle of the city centre. You'll find playgrounds, picnic areas, and even an ice skating rink in the winter months. It's a great spot for families to relax and enjoy the scenery, easily accessible for buggies and has large green spaces and easy walking trails.
Nestled alongside the charming town of Queenstown, New Zealand, lies the Queenstown Gardens, a botanical paradise brimming with an assortment of exotic and native flora. Here, amidst the tranquil ambience, visitors discover a myriad of attractions and amenities catering to all interests.
Within the garden's confines, a serene pond serves as the focal point, reflecting the surrounding greenery and adding to the overall tranquillity. Offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life, the gardens provide a plethora of recreational opportunities to suit every preference.
From a children's playground to facilities for tennis, lawn bowls, and various sports like skateboarding and BMX biking, there's something for everyone. Parkrun enthusiasts can partake in organized runs, while disc golf aficionados can test their skills amidst the scenic backdrop.
Come winter, the gardens undergo a magical transformation as the Luma Southern Lights Festival takes centre stage for four enchanting days. Against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks and crisp winter air, visitors are treated to a spectacle of light and sound that illuminates the night sky.
Traversing the garden's winding trails offers breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains, Lake Wakatipu, and the quaint town of Queenstown. It's a place where nature's beauty and recreational opportunities harmonize, offering visitors a chance to unwind, explore, and immerse themselves in the serene ambience of Queenstown Gardens.
Walter Peak High Country Farm
This has to be rated as one of the best day trips for a young family to do! Catch a vintage steamship across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Here, your family can experience farm life with activities such as sheep shearing demonstrations, sheepdog trials, wool spinning, horse trekking, and even have a great traditional Kiwi barbecue lunch - all enjoyed on the foreshore of Lake Wakatipu! The whole family-friendly experience offers an educational experience into what a day in the life of a local farmer looks like, and can be as hands-on as you want the kids to be! They may have the chance to feed animals like sheep, cattle, and deer, or even try their hand at milking a cow.
And let's not forget the beautiful scenic location of the farm - situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Walter Peak High Country Farm boasts stunning scenery that the whole family can enjoy. The journey to the farm via a scenic cruise on the TSS Earnslaw steamship adds to the experience, providing breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Not only does the trip offer an opportunity for children to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty of New Zealand's landscapes, but it also connects them with knowledgeable guides and staff which creates a safe and enjoyable environment for children to learn and explore in. The meal is simply delicious and reflects local kiwi kai (food) - from the barbecue lunch or the afternoon tea at the Colonel's Homestead, providing a balanced downtime to the farm activities.
Arrowtown
Arrowtown is high on our list of mini-adventures for your young family, because of its closeness to Queenstown, its old-world appeal, and its relaxed vibe. Just a short drive from Queenstown, Arrowtown is a charming historic gold mining town in which you and your family can wander through the quaint streets, visit the local museum, or try your hand at the star attraction - gold panning on the Arrow River! It's also a great place to immerse your family in a small slice of New Zealand's pioneering history. Just 20 20-minute drive from our apartments, Arrowtown is convenient and low-cost for the whole family!
If mum and Dad want a little more from their day trip, then stop in at Amisfield Winery for a meal, and let the kids run amuck amongst the vines or get adventurous with a cool flat mountain bike ride from Arrowtown out along the Millenium Trail, following the beautiful Arrow River out to Arrow Junction.
Cookie Time
It's pretty hard to ignore one of Queenstown's most iconic cafes! Cookie Time is a cookie brand that has been around since 1983 and does exactly what you'd imagine it does - it makes cookies! In Queenstown, Cookie Time has taken the whole cooking-eating experience a magnificent step further. You can visit the store, located at the top of the Mall, and buy warmed cookies smudged with cream and chocolate sprinkles to cookie shakes! The menu is extensive, but one thing is certain - you'll have to bring your sweet tooth because there are no salads or fresh natural juices served here!
These are just a few ideas to have fun in Queenstown New Zealand during your stay, vacation or holiday - with children. If you have any questions, please contact us and we'd be happy to help!
Cheers - the team at Spinnaker Bay Apartments