Winter wonderland
Escape for a mid-winter family break in New Zealand's own
snow capital.
Queenstown is the idyllic South Island winter holiday
destination, with so much to do out-of-doors - walks, jet boating,
skiing, and four-wheel driving. If you've been to Queenstown
before, you know exactly why it is so worth going back for another
vacation: the natural beauty is astounding. Each time hubby and I
go to Queenstown we always end up looking at real estate and
dreaming of moving down to Queenstown and completely changing the
lifestyle we live. Practicalities and being close to family always
end up preventing the big life change, but we can still
dream!
We hadn't been down to Queenstown since I
was pregnant with our first child a few years ago, so going to the
winter wonderland with young children meant thinking of what to do
and where to take them was a little different than when we were
there on our own. After pulling together all the tourist brochures,
we soon had a rough plan of what we could do each day (children's
sleep and weather permitting). I had thought that it may be a
little bit challenging finding things to do with the kids -
especially as I am pregnant as well - and some of the more popular
options you think of when visiting Queenstown were not necessarily
child-friendly. Our two- and three-year-old girls would certainly
not appreciate the Shotover Jet boat or AJ Hackett Bungy jump just
yet!
We still managed to find plenty to do, a
week's worth of great family activities in Queenstown, plus some
time out and indulgence for mum and dad as well.
Day
one
Arrowtown is a beautiful little village just out of Queenstown that
is a great place to stay or visit during your trip. There are
plenty of gorgeous little shops to enjoy, and walks and historic
places to see.
Shopping: Arrowtown has several
lovely cafés and quaint little shops to indulge in. Be
sure to visit the remarkable sweet shop and
taste their amazing range of home-made fudge - I recommend the
crème Brûlée! www.remarkablesweetshop.co.nz
Chinese Settlement
walk: A half-hour to an hour, and good for
strollers.
Arrowtown Millenium walk:
One hour return, and good for
strollers.
Lakes District Museum: Visit the
museum and see colourful displays. With a great exhibition gallery,
there is plenty to occupy children.
www.museumqueenstown.com
Day
two
You don't have to travel far on day two if you're nested in the
heart of Queenstown. Just a short walk to the pier will take you on
a number of adventures. Two options leaving from the Main Town Pier
in Queenstown are the Kawarau Jet and the TSS Earnslaw
steamboat.
TSS Earnslaw: Take a heritage cruise
on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw across lake Whakitipu to
Walter Peak. You can then have your own picnic organised or take
the family on the Walter Peak farmyard tour.
Walter Peak Farm Excursions: Children
will love the farmyard tour - help feed the animals and watch sheep
shearing. Morning and afternoon tea are included.
Kawarau Jet: A one-hour adventure
across lake Whakatipu, then through the Kawarau River discovering
Queenstown's beautiful waterways. www.kjet.co.nz
Day
three
A winter holiday with the family
is not complete
without playing in the snow. Visit either Coronet Peak or the
Remarkable Ski Fields for a half-day with the kids. If you want to
hire a toboggan, it's best to do so in town and take it up with
you, as they're not hireable at the slopes. If you're wanting to
have some time to ski yourself, there are great childcare
facilities at both slopes. Book the kids in for a full- or half-day
of care - meals can be provided and children get to play in the
warm centre or pop outside to a secured snow spot where they can
play in the snow and go for a ski. There are beds there for their
day sleeps and the staff are all trained childcarers, and boy, is
the view from their centre amazing! www.nzski.com
Day four
Skyline Gondola: The Skyline gondola
restaurant has just reopened after a bit of a makeover. There is a
café and restaurant at the top, with the most stunning views of
Queenstown. www.skyline.co.nz
Patagonia Chocolate Shop: I recommend
stopping by Patagonia Chocolate Shop on your way home for some
delicious chocolate or ice cream - such a treat!
www.patagoniachocolates.co.nz
Day
five
Kiwi Birdlife Park: The kids can get
up close and personal with native birdlife at live conservation
shows at the Kiwi Birdlife Park. Set on five acres, this is a great
family activity for any weather, as there's lots to see that is
undercover. www.kiwibird.co.nz
Day
six
Time out: A bit of
time out for Mum and Dad is a must. Take turns at watching the kids
while the other indulges in a bit of time out for themselves. I
chose a pamper and had a fantastic aroma pregnancy massage and
facial at Aspects Day Spa on Shotover Street. The staff were really
friendly and I came away feeling very relaxed!
www.aspectsdayspa.co.nz
Meanwhile, for Dad: I'm not sure if I
did things the right way around, but later that day, I looked after
the kids while my husband Royce went snowboarding at Coronet Peak
and had a great time. If they're not into snowboarding, the
men might like to have a round of golf at Millbrook, try the
shotover, a bungy jump, some hunting or a 4WD adventure.
Day
seven
Goldfields Mining Centre:Explore the
old Chinese village, view 100-year-old gold workings still in
operation, and try panning for Gold yourself at this interesting
and historic centre. www.goldfeldsmining.co.nz
Tips
Accommodation:We stayed at the Glebe
apartments just a two-minute walk from the heart of Queenstown. The
staff were very friendly. www.theglebe.co.nz
For hire: Fortunately, you can hire
carseats, strollers, portacots, and toys for the time you're down
there through Tots on Tour. Not only do they have a fantastic
selection of toys and deliver to your accommodation, but you'll
also be pleased to know the owner Wendy is also a midwife so if the
unexpected happens, you know who to call!
www.totsontour.co.nz
Babysitting: If you're hoping for a
night out for dinner but don't have a babysitter you can organise
one through Fun 4 Kids. www.fun4kids.co.nz
Angela Pedersen is OHbaby!'s Managing Director and
Publisher of OHbaby! Magazine, is parent of two daughters,
Ella and Eva, and is due to have her third baby as we went to press
with this issue. She has been trying to read a book about getting
time to herself for the last two years, but can't get past the
introduction.
IMAGE CREDITS: TOP: SHUTTERSTOCK.
DISCOVER ARROWTOWN WWW.ARROWTOWN.COM
REMARKABLE SWEET SHOP
WWW.NZSKI.COM
As seen in OHbaby!
magazine Issue 6: 2009
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