Queenstown family holiday in summer: what the sources say about planning with children

A summer family holiday in Queenstown comes down to three plans: easy outdoor time, water and sun safety, and a fallback for tired children. Destination Queenstown's Queenstown NZ website calls December to February peak season, with temperatures between 20°C and 30°C and daylight from as early as 5am until around 10pm. Its toddler guide says that no matter the season there are plenty of activities to keep young children engaged. The Destination Queenstown safety page adds that the region's lakes can stay very cold year-round and that children need close supervision near water. This guide gathers what those sources say and stops there. In this guide's own advice, not from the safety page, age, height and weight limits are set by each provider, so check each provider's own limits before you commit to anything. It is a planning guide, not a forecast.

See more short walks near town

Destination Queenstown's summer page says mild mornings can make way for hot days, and advises warmer layers for early mornings and evenings and cooler clothes for the long, hot days. It also says the sun can be extreme in the South Island, so carry sunblock and a water bottle. The Cancer Society's SunSmart advice asks people to protect themselves outdoors from September to April, especially between 10am and 4pm, and to plan outdoor activities for early and later in the day when UV levels are lower. In this guide's reasoning, dawn as early as 5am and dusk around 10pm give families room to put walks, playground stops and beach time at the cooler edges of the day, and to keep the middle of the day for shade, lunch or an indoor break. That is a planning idea built on the two sources, not advice either of them gives in those words.

Compare the seasons before you fix dates

Summer makes the lake inviting. These points are from Destination Queenstown's safety page and the Department of Conservation's boating safety page.

• Lifejackets

  The safety page says wearing a properly fitted lifejacket is a legal requirement when boating, kayaking or paddleboarding. DOC advises wearing a lifejacket anytime you are on the water, and says a correctly fitted one increases survival time.

• Supervision

  The safety page says parents and caregivers should supervise children closely. DOC says never to leave children unattended when they are using a canoe, kayak or stand up paddle board.

• Cold water

  Lake Whakatipu and the region's other alpine lakes can stay very cold year-round, even on warm days, and the safety page says cold water can quickly affect breathing and swimming ability.

• River mouths

  The safety page says river mouths can be particularly hazardous and should be avoided, including where the Dart River enters Lake Whakatipu near Glenorchy.

• When unsure

  Conditions can change quickly with the weather. The safety page says that if you are unsure about the conditions or your ability, stay out of the water, and DOC's version is: if in doubt, don't go out.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Cancer Society says. Its guidance, with the September to April season marked where the Cancer Society gives one:

• When to protect

  Protect yourself outdoors from September to April, especially between 10am and 4pm. All year round, it also advises protection whenever the UV Index is 3 and above, and when you are in the mountains, on the water, or around reflective surfaces such as snow, ice, concrete and sand.

• Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap

  Cover skin with clothing, use shade, apply plenty of broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF 30, wear a hat and wear close-fitting wrap-around sunglasses that meet the Australian/New Zealand Standard.

• Using sunscreen

  Apply it 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours or after being in water or sweating. Do not rely on sunscreen alone.

• Hats

  Broad-brimmed, bucket or legionnaire hats are best, and caps are not recommended.

• Babies

  Try to keep babies out of direct sunlight, especially between 10am and 4pm from September to April, using shade, clothing and broad-brimmed hats. The Cancer Society does not recommend sunscreen on babies under six months.

These come from the Destination Queenstown toddler guide. Check each provider for current opening details and limits.

1. 01Choose a base that suits the children

   The toddler guide says at least one bedroom separate from the main living area is key, and suggests apartment-style lodgings. It also suggests Arrowtown as a base with walks and toddler-friendly activities nearby.

2. 02Sort the gear

   The same guide suggests renting equipment such as buggies and car seats for your stay to lighten your load.

3. 03Put outdoor time at the edges of the day

   In this guide's reasoning, early and later outings fit both the long summer daylight and the SunSmart advice to plan outdoor activities for early and later in the day.

4. 04Start with the easy walks

   Use the table above, and check the latest track conditions, alerts and weather forecast before setting out, as the safety page advises. Take warm and waterproof clothing, food and water, and tell someone where you are going.

5. 05Check limits before you book adventure activities

   The safety page says to choose an established operator, follow all safety briefings and tell your guide about any medical conditions. It says registered adventure activity operators undergo an independent safety audit and can be checked on the WorkSafe public register. In this guide's advice (not from the safety page), age, height and weight limits are set by each provider, so check each provider's own limits.

6. 06Keep a backup plan

   The toddler guide says wet weather options are paramount with young children and names indoor options such as an indoor swimming facility with a toddler pool. The rainy day guide on this site covers more options.