My family hadn't been on a holiday together in about five years. Back when my parents had young kids, organising a family getaway was much simpler. Now, we consist of 9 adults including our partners, and one baby - but somehow, we made it happen and honestly, Queenstown couldn't have been a more perfect choice!

From the short flight and world-class skiing to the incredible food, activities and scenery, Queenstown truly had something for everyone.

The fact that Queenstown is only a three-hour flight away still blows my mind. I can't believe we hadn't visited sooner! The short flight was especially appreciated by my sister and her husband, who were travelling with their 18-month-old son. After a few laps around the terminal to burn off some energy, he slept for most of the flight. It made travelling with a young child far easier than expected and showed just how accessible Queenstown is for families.

I wasn't convinced we needed a car before we arrived, but it ended up being one of the best decisions we made.

While Queenstown itself is very walkable, having a car gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace. Whether someone wanted a slow morning, or Dad wanted to squeeze in a round of golf, or baby Charlie was sticking to his own schedule, it wasn't a problem. Everyone could do their own thing and meet up later. It made the whole trip feel much more relaxed and flexible, which was a huge win when travelling with a big family.

• If you're driving to the ski fields, make sure you have snow chains. We ended up needing ours and were very glad we had them.

• Check what your Travel insurance covers before paying extra to reduce the excess

• Don’t just think “how many seats do I need” - consider an SUV with racks or 4WD with a covered tray, which is much easier when carting ski gear and suitcases

Honestly: wow. Everywhere you look is beautiful. Towering mountains surround the town, while the lake adds such a peaceful backdrop. Queenstown is super walkable, mostly flat once you are in the centre, with endless shops, restaurants and cafés to explore. Happy hour by the lakefront quickly became a repeated activity for us with the incredible views and delicious cocktails.

For my partner and I, snowboarding wasn't a new adventure. We'd both did ski seasons in Canada and couldn't wait to experience New Zealand's slopes. For my siblings, though, it was their very first time on snow!

The 2 mountains are completely different. The Remarkables is surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery, Coronet Peak offers spectacular views over Queenstown and the surrounding countryside.

Their lesson at The Remarkables was the perfect introduction. The beginner area is spacious, with wide slopes and magic carpets that make learning far less intimidating. I was amazed by how quickly they progressed.

The following day we headed to Coronet Peak, while the beginner area felt a little busier, the green run was fantastic for building confidence. If you're a first-timer, I'd recommend starting with lessons at The Remarkables before trying out Coronet Peak.

We packed plenty into our trip, but two experiences stood out above the rest!

Milford Sound

Milford Sound was a huge day out, but absolutely, 100% worth it. We travelled by coach, stopping regularly to take in the incredible scenery along the way. The cruise itself was spectacular. We spotted penguins, seals and dolphins, while the waterfalls and dramatic cliffs seemed to appear around every corner. Our camera rolls filled up very quickly.

Travelling with baby Charlie, we decided to split into two groups. One group headed to Milford Sound while the other stayed behind to babysit, then we swapped the next day. It worked perfectly. The road trip would have been a very long day for a little one, but this way nobody had to miss out on experiencing the magic of Milford Sound!

Top tip: pack snacks. A few sandwiches, chips and muesli bars made the long day far more comfortable. If you are feeling bougee, this is an option to helicopter which reduces the travel time as well.

Skyline Gondola and Luge

If I could recommend one activity for families, this would be it. The Skyline Gondola offers incredible views over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. The gondola ride itself is a fun experience, taking you high above the town before reaching the scenic viewpoints and restaurant at the top.

The real highlight, though, was the luge. We bought multiple rides and spent the morning racing each other down the tracks, which quickly turned into a family competition and one of the biggest laughs of the trip.

What I loved most about Queenstown was how easy it was to keep everyone in the family happy. Whether your ideal holiday involves skiing, sightseeing, great food, wineries, adventure activities or simply relaxing by the lake, you'll find it here. Every single person in my family had an amazing time, and before we'd even left, we were already talking about when we'd come back together!

• Queenstown is only a three-hour flight from Brisbane, making it an easy trip with little ones.

• Hire a car for flexibility, and carry snow chains if you're driving to the ski fields.

• First-timers should start with lessons at The Remarkables before heading to Coronet Peak.

• Make time for Milford Sound, and pack snacks for the long day.

Don’t miss the magic of a Queenstown ski holiday, give our team a call today.

Blog by Rosie Reid
Last Updated: October 2026