I’ve taken my daughter to Queenstown twice now, and it’s one of my favourite places in New Zealand to visit with young kids. The first time we went was just before she turned two (gotta make the most of those free flights for under 2's!), and we made a big family trip of it with my two sisters, brother-in-law and nephew. More recently, we went again just before she turned four as part of a South Island roadie with my mum - and to my surprise, so many activities were still free or super affordable for her.
If you’re looking for a destination that’s scenic, relaxing, adventurous and family-friendly, Queenstown ticks all the boxes. Here's everything we loved, plus a bunch of tips if you're thinking of going with your own little explorer/s.