If you’re looking for an amazing winter holiday filled with fun activities for the whole family, look no further: you’ll find a real winter wonderland in Queenstown!
With tons of indoor and outdoor activities and one of the most beautiful backdrops in New Zealand, winter in Queenstown offers options for visitors of any age. We selected 10 must-do Queenstown winter activities that let you make the most of the snowy season.
1. Take on the Skyline Gondola and Luge
You can’t miss out on the iconic Skyline Queenstown Gondola, the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere. Sit back and enjoy the stunning views while you’re carried 480 metres above central Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. As you near Bob’s Peak, you’ll enjoy the best views in the region unfolding before your eyes.
Once at the top, you’ll find plenty of things to do: enjoy a delicious meal or a relaxing cuppa at the Market Kitchen Café, get a perfect holiday gift amongst a range of New Zealand-made products at the gift shop, or go straight to the adrenaline-filled Skyline Luge, an iconic attraction that guarantees fun for the whole family!
During winter months, the Skyline Luge lights up from dusk for the ultimate fun night out! With a stunning night-time backdrop of the city and its surrounding mountain ranges, it’s impossible not to have fun as you zoom down 1600m of thrilling, bright-coloured tracks of the Queenstown Night Luge. This will be the highlight of your holiday!
Address: 53 Brecon Street, Queenstown
Opening times: Visit our website
2. Go skiing and snowboarding in the mountains
Image credit: queenstownnz.co.nz
Feel the crisp winter air as you zip down the trails of the Southern Alps. From June to October, you can hit the slopes at four world-class ski fields right on the town’s doorstep: Coronet Peak and The Remarkables Ski Area in the Queenstown Mountains and Cardrona and Treble Cone in the Wanaka Mountains.
Every ski area offers fantastic family-oriented facilities and services, like ski schools, snow sports academies and kids clubs. Downtown, you’ll find daily mountain transport and plenty of stores to hire or buy all the new gear you’ll need.
You aren’t limited to daytime hours, either. Night skiing at Coronet Peak lets you enjoy the snow after dusk, giving yourself heaps of time to explore Queenstown’s other attractions while the sun’s out.
Wondering what to do in Queenstown in winter if not skiing? Non-skiers can still have fun on the slopes—get an affordable sightseeing pass to experience epic views of Queenstown from above or enjoy the delicious food at the ski area base camps.
3. Book a farm tour at Walter Peak
Image credit: queenstownnz.co.nz
The Walter Peak Farm Tour offers a fun adventure for both adults and kids. You’ll start your journey with a scenic cruise on the vintage TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu. Upon reaching land, you’ll be guided on a short walk to explore the farmyard, where you’ll get a taste of the farming lifestyle and get to feed some of the cute farm animals for yourself!
The adventure is topped off with a delicious morning or afternoon tea. You may have some time to stroll through the lakeside gardens before you re-board the boat for your cruise back to Queenstown.
Address: Steamer Wharf, 88 Beach Street, Queenstown CBD
Departure times: 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm daily
4. Skate or slide at the Queenstown Ice Arena
Image credit: @qticearena
Head to the covered Queenstown Ice Arena at Queenstown Gardens for all-day ice skating! Whether you’re a pro skater or taking to the ice for the first time, you’ll have an unforgettable experience and create great memories for life. You can even book private lessons and learn ice hockey from hockey with qualified instructors.
Not into skating? Hit the ice bumper cars instead! This ultra-smooth bumper car experience lets you spin, slip, and slide all around the arena. It’s a fun way to enjoy the ice for anyone over three years old—and kids over six can even take control of a car themselves!
Address: Queenstown Gardens, 29 Park Street, Queenstown
Opening times: 9:30 am daily, public closing time varies
5. Take a day trip to explore Arrowtown and Glenorchy
Image credit: @DartRiverAdventures
A 20-minute scenic drive from Queenstown is the picturesque village of Arrowtown. Take a day trip to wander around town, explore its walking tracks, grab a bite from a main street restaurant, or go shopping for souvenirs at the many boutiques.
If you’re amazed by the “Lord of the Rings” scenery, we recommend taking the lakeside drive to Glenorchy, where you’ll experience a real slice of Middle Earth: the snowy mountains of the Southern Alps, stunning views and plenty of great photo spots. Once in Glenorchy, pick a spot for a family picnic. Or, for the more adventurous, try the wilderness with a range of outdoor activities, such as horse riding, jet boating, or hiking.
Queenstown to Arrowtown driving time: Approximately 20 minutes
Queenstown to Glenorchy driving time: Approximately 45 minutes
6. Warm up at the Onsen Hot Pools
Image credit: onsen.co.nz
When it averages 4 degrees in Queenstown winter months, there’s no better way to warm up than with a relaxing hot pool overlooking some of the best scenery in the South Island. Only 10 minutes from the town centre, Onsen Hot Pools lets visitors indulge in panoramic views of the Shotover River and surrounding mountains in a stunning private hot pool.
Choose from a variety of treatment packages, which include a long soak in a cedar-lined tub followed by a professional massage, scrub, or facial. Or get the onsen experience by itself—with private pools for up to four people, it’s perfect for small families who need something slower on the itinerary.
All bookings post-sunset include evening lanterns, making the experience even cosier. Onsen Hot Pools is hugely popular among those who visit Queenstown in winter, so it’s essential to book months in advance.
Address: 160 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown
Opening times: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm daily
7. Try indoor adventures on a snowy day
Image credit: kjet.co.nz
Queenstown winter can get pretty rainy, but don’t worry—the town offers plenty of exciting indoor adventures that you’ll enjoy regardless of the weather.
Feel the thrill with iFLY, the indoor skydiving activity that lets anyone take flight in a secure wind tunnel. The air will safely lift you off the ground, where you’ll experience the sensation of gravity-free soaring.
Right next door is Kingpin, a massive entertainment hub that’s perfect for any cold Queenstown winter day. Sing it out in karaoke, test your wits in the escape rooms, and aim for a strike at the bowling lanes. There’s heaps to do for anyone and everyone.
K Jet is famous for its jet boat ride, but it’s also home to the only underwater experience in Queenstown—the Time Tripper! This state-of-the-art animated show takes you under Lake Wakatipu, where you’ll go back 90 million years to learn about the lake’s creation as well as the Maori legends surrounding it.
8. Get up close with nature at Kiwi Park Queenstown
Image credit: kiwibird.co.nz
New Zealand’s South Island has no shortage of incredible wildlife, and Kiwi Park Queenstown lets you get up close and personal while supporting the environment. Across the 8-acre park, you’ll see all of the country’s most iconic native animals, including kākā, kea, morepork, and, of course, kiwi!
Kiwi Park Queenstown educates its visitors through multiple daily shows and encounters, and you can even book a private tour just for yourselves. Kids will also love the magical LUMA Enchanted experience, which takes place annually during the winter season. As you walk through the forest, you’ll spot unique creatures and light shows hidden amongst the leaves.
Need a parking spot? The Skyline Multi-Storey Carpark is just two minutes away and offers plenty of room for visitors.
Address: 51 Brecon Street, Queenstown
Opening times: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm daily
9. Warm up with après-ski offerings
Image credit: queenstownicebar.com
After a long day in the cold, having a drink… or two… or three is the perfect way to stay warm. Queenstown town centre has dozens of bars, pubs, and restaurants to choose from, with most offering craft beers and bottles from local breweries and wineries.
Stay in your ski gear and head to Rhino’s Ski Shack, where you’ll meet other like-minded skiers fresh off the slopes. This alpine-themed bar offers a cosy, family-friendly atmosphere during lunch and dinner, and kids can even eat free from 5-7 pm.
If you can’t get enough of cold temperatures, Queenstown Ice Bar is the perfect place to go. Sip on a cocktail (or a mocktail for the kids) while admiring the glass-like architecture of the Scandinavian-inspired lounge. Just be sure to slip on some warm socks!
Looking for something to do with your adult family members? Book a craft beer tour or a wine tour. You’re sure to enjoy Otago’s greats like pinot noir and pinot gris at the cellar door. Or, visit a famous fine dining restaurant like The Bunker or Rātā, where you’ll enjoy the best meals made with local ingredients.
10. Explore the southern sky
New Zealand is home to some of the world’s best stargazing spots in the Southern Hemisphere. You don’t even have to go far from Queenstown to experience the stunning skies for yourself—the Skyline Queenstown Stargazing Tour is just a scenic Gondola ride away.
Professional astronomy guides will take you through a 60-minute tour of the night sky, where you’ll use powerful Celestron telescopes to discover astronomical wonders like the Southern Cross, the Magellanic Clouds, and—if you’re very lucky—the Southern Lights. You’ll also get familiar with the myths, history, and science behind the constellations.
Afterwards, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine at the Stratosfare Bar—the perfect way to unwind after a night in the cold outdoors.
Address: 53 Brecon Street, Queenstown
Opening times: 8:45 pm onwards during winter months
Make Queenstown your ultimate winter family destination
From skiing on snowy mountain peaks to exploring local wineries, Queenstown has something fun for everyone this winter. No matter your age, you’re sure to create unforgettable memories!
Find more fun things to do in Queenstown with our guides on the best things to do at night and romantic activities to make your trip that little bit more special!