Queenstown, NZ...family destination or crazy single person destination?

Question

We have 2 under 5...would love to do a trip to NZ later in the year (say, August/Sept but not school holidays). Doesn't have to include skiing, but snow fun would be great.

Could you suggest a better NZ destination?

Appreciate any help - I've done a bit of net work, but I don't think it's telling me the whole story...

Answer 1

the lonely planet book on nz is really helpful. I would say rotorua is more of a family destination than queenstown, although queenstown is very beautiful!

Answer 2

Queenstown spells tourists in winter as $$$$$$$'s there are plenty of far better places

You do not have to stay at the ski resorts as places in NZ tend to be close together compared to the US

Answer 3

It's good for children and has sniw! :)

Answer 4

If you're keen on the Queenstown area but aren't sure it's suitable for the children, why not consider Wanaka?  It's not that far away and is a beautiful and relatively quiet place.

Answer 5

AS another answerer has suggested, Rotorua would be alot of fun for young children. But there'll be no snow.

Queenstown could be a bit expensive and during that time of year it is full of adrenalin junkies, in fact, at most times of the year Queenstown survives on adrenalin.

However it will perhaps be a new experience and it will be fun.

Other snow experiences for youngsters can be had at The Top Of The Bruce and at Turoa skifields. Both these are on Mount Ruapehu in the North Island (north and south side of the mountain respectively).

Mount Hutt, fairly close to Christchurch, also has fun things for youngsters to do in the snow, and as with Q'town, there is likely to be snow at the time of your visit, whereas Mount Ruapehu could be 'iffy'. (In a good year, Ruapehu may even have snow up to the new year, but it's a gamble.)

My own recommendation would be; - go to Christchurch and from there make a trip to Mt Hutt.

Enjoy yourselves!