We are going to go with parents (70+) and adults (40s) and children (range 7-16) for 1 week. We want to stay in one place and go for day trips. We want to make Queenstown or Christchurch as our base. Any suggestions????

Of the 2, I would say that QT would be better, as there is more to do around there, and it would be fine. However, I suspect that most mavens, including me, would say that splitting between the 2 would be most desirable.

Thanks Jed. Another question - is this the place to go with seniors. Since there is a lot of outdoor activity, will it be worth their while to go here?

Hi Sanjali!

As you only have one week, your idea of staying in one place as a base and doing day trips is an excellent idea.

Queenstown would be your best bet - it has everything you'll need for your very diverse age group.

#1 attraction would be Milford Sound, one of those "must do's" and rightly so. This will be a full day trip; with your choice of taking a motorcoach in/out, or motorcoach in and flying back.

Go to the top of Bob's Peak for a great photo op (especially at sunset), and I think everyone would like and can do, the luge, which is lots of fun. Get some Maori culture thrown in with a performance at the theatre there. (sort of one stop shopping there! Three activities all located in the same spot!)

Take the TSS Earnslaw (112 year old steam engined boat)out to a high country farm; check out the Engine Room & see the pistons in action; the kids will enjoy the animals at the farm, everyone can enjoy the beautiful gardens, have a BBQ lunch, and on the way back there's a sing-a-long with a handbook of all the songs. (the 70's will know all of those!)

Queenstown itself is enjoyable to stroll around, window shopping, or serious retail therapy, lots of cafes and restaurants.

Just outside of Queenstown is Arrowtown, where you can enjoy the shops, restaurants (great bakery there at the end of the strip), and try your hands at panning gold.

Queenstown is the capital of extreme sports such as: hang gliding, sledging, 4WD tours to Skippers Canyon, bungey jumping, and jet boating (the latter is something else everyone should enjoy as well.

I don't get an exact "count" of how many people in your group, but a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment / condo would be excellent for your group - you'd have a full kitchen as well as a washer and dryer, which could come in handy (take home clean clothes)!

Hope this is helpful!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Kiwi Specialist

Thanks Melodie. We are a group of 9 people and are planning to get one of the time share things out there.