From reading all the travel reports, looks like we may have to expect some rain at any time during our trip to SI in September/October. Queenstown being an 'outdoor-sy' kind of place may be a wash-out in a worst case scenario. Any ideas on how to salvage a rainy day in Queenstown?

Shopping.

New Zealand is known for their BYO restaurants.

We went to the Walter Peak Farm on the TSS Earnslaw on a rainy day and it didn't make any difference...

You could go to the Gibbston Valley Winery for a tour and lunch... the tour was mostly inside as was the tasting and their dining room.

We saw some gorgeous rainbows in Queenstown, too! So get out your camera.

TSS Earnslaw is a good idea. I would think doing a jetboat wouldn't matter in the rain, either.

Rain: Get a good rainsuit, breathable and unlined. Forest and waterfall walks are fine in the rain, but save the mountain passes for good weather.

Oh yes, I forgot that it also rained during our Dart River jetboat Safari in Glenorchy. Can you tell the rain didn't matter?

I was last in Queenstown Jan/Feb 1999. Not much there so I left. A week later I watched a rowing boat in the local shopping centre. Heavy rains had caused the river to overflow and flooded the town.

Our family loved Caddyshack City indoor miniature golf. It's not like any miniature golf course I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot!) There are 18 intricate "scenario" holes that you have to traverse, e.g. you have to get your ball on the chairlift at the ski resort or you have to get your ball on the ferris wheel at the amusement park. It's pretty amazing. (Also, it takes awhile to finish the course--it's not easy!)