We will be in New Zealand in december. flying from Australia. (after 1 week in austrailia)
The flights that work best for us allows us 6 days in Queenstown. Is that too much time to spend there. We have 2 small children with us as well. Would be looking at Auckland and Queenstown for 1 week in New Zealand. Which means skipping Roratora. What do you think. Also any places near Queenstown. We do not want to do too much driving with small children. Thanks.

Can you do a triangle with a one way car rental in Queenstown out Christchurch or vice versa?

Skip Auckland.

Personally, I wouldn't have any trouble spending six days in Queenstown. It's a good base for seeing places like Glenorchy (fantastic hiking, start of the Dart River Safari, incredible views), Arrowtown, with the Chinese settlement, walks along the river and through town, and the wine region of Cromwell.

There's also plenty to see and do right in Queenstown and plenty of sedate activities that would be good for small kids (playing in the park by the lake, picnics, taking the gondola to Bob's Peak for some fantastic views, etc).

Many people make the LONG day trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound as well, but that's a long time on a bus with two small kids.

Hi,

I agree with Mel - 6 days in Queenstown - easy peasy!

Don't know the ages of your kids, but I'm sure they'd enjoy panning for gold in Arrowtown; the luge at the top of Bob's Peak, lots of places to take walks, picnics.

Milford Sound would be long as Mel says, but the kid would probably conk out on the bus ride back -- most of the adults do!

Hope this is helpful!

Melodie
Certified Kiwi Specialist

Thanks it is settled. 6 days in Queenstown it is. That only gives me 3 nights (2 days in Auckland.) Was thinking of going to Rotorua. Could this be done as a day trip from Auckland. would you recommend that. or maybe stay one night but we would have to leave early the next morning to catch our noon flight to Queenstown. Do not know what to do about this?

The drive from Auckland to Rotorua is 234 km, about 3:20 each way.

I would second the idea of using a site such as Wotif. I have used them a number of times and have never had a problem.

If you are willing you could even try the 'Mystery Deal'. If you scroll down the site, in the second bank of Mystery Deal there are 4 hotels (4 1/2 star rated) offering rooms at under $150. Just check that it is in the CBD. The CBD is not so big that it really matters where you are and trams get you everywhere anyway. At the moment 3 out of the 4 on offer are CBD hotels. If you are willing to take the time, you can sometimes work out which hotel it is going to be by looking closely at the amenities on offer and comparing them to the named hotels with the same star rating.

Sorry about above post. Not sure how I managed it but it is attached to the wrong thread.