QUEENSTOWN
NEW ZEALAND'S DISNEYLAND
Easter 2026
Queenstown is the ultimate adventure playground — and it delivers in every season. So, when we asked our children if they wanted to meet up there for Easter, the answer was immediate: absolutely.
Set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in the Otago region of New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown hasn’t always been the adrenaline capital it is today. Its story began in the early 1860s when gold was discovered in the nearby Shotover River. Almost overnight the quiet farmland was flooded with fortune-seekers, many arriving from Australia after the Victorian gold rush began to slow.
The boomtown that emerged laid the foundations for what is now one of New Zealand’s most iconic destinations — though these days visitors come chasing adventure rather than gold.
Arriving on Good Friday, we collected our hire car at Queenstown Airport in Frankton and set off for town. The drive is only about 10 kilometres, but the single two-lane road can become heavily congested during peak holiday periods, so it’s wise to allow extra time — and simply enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way.
Queenstown itself buzzes with energy, particularly over long weekends and holiday periods, with visitors filling the streets, cafés and waterfront.
For our stay we chose a self-contained house in Fernhill, perched on the hillside just east of Queenstown. The location proved ideal: close enough to town for easy access, yet far enough away to enjoy sweeping views over Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
As we settled in to enjoy the view and a good family chinwag, we decided to keep dinner simple and picked up takeaway from Chur Fish & Chips. It was the perfect start to our vacation: good fish and chips, lake views, and our family all together.
Day one - Our plan for the Easter weekend was simple — spend as much time outdoors as possible. To make the most of Queenstown’s incredible trail network, we hired e-bikes from Queenstown Bike Hire. Mike and his team were fantastic. They delivered the bikes directly to our accommodation and were happy to shuttle us to different starting points, allowing us to explore cycle tracks further afield without worrying about the return journey.
New Zealand’s Department of Conservation has done an exceptional job creating and maintaining walking and cycling trails throughout the country, and the Queenstown region is a perfect example of this.
From our Fernhill base we followed the well-signposted trail network towards Arrowtown, riding past Arthur’s Point and along the spectacular Shotover River. It’s here that the famous Shotover Jet roars through the narrow canyon, its driver skillfully skimming past rock walls at thrilling speed — much to the delight (and occasional screams) of the passengers onboard.
In Arrowtown we walked through the historic Chinese Settlement, built in the 1860s for Chinese miners who came to the region during the Otago gold rush. Along the river we watched other visitors — mostly families with children — trying their luck at gold panning.
Rather than retracing our route, we chose an alternative cycle track for the return journey, making the most of the region’s extensive and well-maintained trail network.
By now the bike seats were starting to feel a little unforgiving and our legs were definitely aware of the 60km ride — particularly the steep climbs and tight hairpin turns. Thank goodness for e-bikes.
Fortunately, we had a reward waiting. Booked well in advance, Onsen Hot Pools & Day Spa at Arthur’s Point had been our dangling carrot all day. Overlooking the Shotover River and the surrounding mountains, the private cedar-lined pools were the perfect place to soak tired legs — cold beer in hand — and enjoy the view.
Exhausted from the day — and grateful for the clear weather — we opted for dinner at Blue Kanu. Good vibes, fun times and cocktails.
Day two — and we were definitely feeling the effects of the previous day’s ride. With daylight saving ending overnight, we took advantage of the extra hour and enjoyed a well-needed sleep in.
Although we had cycled to Arrowtown the day before, we returned by car to spend more time exploring. We wandered through the old cemetery and browsed the historic shops, along with plenty of other visitors enjoying the long weekend.
The Skyline Gondola is Queenstown’s fast track to the best views in town. Just a short walk from the centre, the cable car climbs a very steep 480 metres up Bob’s Peak, revealing sweeping 220-degree views over Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
Once at the top you can sit back with a drink and admire the scenery — or head straight for the Skyline Luge. This is where adults rediscover their competitive streak and attempt to prove to their children that they are, in fact, still the fastest down the hill.
Another exhilarating day in this outdoor Disneyland was fuelled by great food — sukiyaki for lunch at Goku followed by an exceptional dinner at Toast & Oak.
Day three - saw us up early and heading back to the Skyline Gondola to begin our guided hike to the Ben Lomond Summit.
While the trail can easily be done independently, we were glad to have a guide. Ollie, who was on a working holiday from the UK, joined us for the climb and his stories and local knowledge added a lot to the experience.
After a steady climb we stopped at Ben Lomond Saddle at 1,326 metres for a well-earned break before tackling the final push to the summit. The last section is a gruelling ascent across steep alpine terrain, climbing to 1,748 metres.
The full hike is around 11km return and took us about five hours, including stops. Reaching the summit was worth every step. The views were extraordinary and we were incredibly lucky to arrive on a perfectly clear day.
Day four — and I started wondering if this was the holiday I’d actually signed up for. Back on the bikes we followed the Twin Rivers Trail from Queenstown to Arrowtown before continuing along the Gibbston River Wine Trail towards Gibbston.
Passing the famous Kawarau Bridge Bungy, where brave souls launch themselves from the suspension bridge, this stretch was easily my favourite ride. Vineyards lined the hillsides while the rich turquoise river meandered below. It’s hard to imagine now, but these same rivers and valleys were once packed with hopeful miners during the 1860s gold rush, panning the very waters that today wind peacefully through Central Otago wine country.
We stopped for lunch at The Church Cellar Door & Café, before continuing along the trail past Peregrine Wines and on to Chard Farm Winery.
Chard Farm sits above the Kawarau Gorge and is accessed by a narrow gravel road cut into the cliff face. The property was originally established as farmland in the late 1800s before being developed into a vineyard. Today it produces some of the region’s well-known Pinot Noir, taking advantage of Gibbston Valley’s cool climate and rocky soils.
We enjoyed a wine tasting with Dominic — knowledgeable, witty and clearly enthusiastic about the wines and the region. Luckily for us, Mike was on hand to drive us back, which meant we could indulge in a few fine wines without worrying about the ride home.
Day five — and we woke to heavy rain. With the bikes returned and our bags packed, we headed into town for a Fergburger.
Fergburger is legendary in Queenstown and there’s almost always a long queue snaking down the street. We had resisted the temptation all weekend, but with the rain coming down and the line unusually short, we finally caved.
Are they the best burgers in town? Pretty good. Some locals say Devil Burger is better. We’ll have to conduct a proper comparison on the next trip.
There is so much to see and do in Queenstown. If hiking and biking aren’t your thing, you can easily spend time exploring the town, strolling through the Queenstown Gardens, or taking a day trip aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw. Launched in 1912, this coal-fired steamship — known as the “Lady of the Lake” — once carried livestock and supplies to the remote farms around Lake Wakatipu and now ferries visitors across the lake.
Out on the water there are also plenty of adrenaline options, from jet boat rides to the Hydro Attack, where a shark-shaped craft launches through fast turns and jumps across the lake. And in winter, the mountains surrounding Queenstown transform into one of New Zealand’s premier ski playgrounds.
One tip: during peak periods and holiday weekends, it’s wise to book activities and restaurants in advance to avoid disappointment.
What a fabulous Easter and family getaway.
