Then when the snow starts to fall in winter the real fun starts. If your family is new to snowsports, don’t be afraid to start them young! There’s heaps of options for gear hire, kids lift passes and lessons that cater for practically every age. One of the most rewarding things as a parent is to see your kids take to something at a young age, you never know what your three-year-old is capable of! Learner slopes are very gentle and experienced instructors know just how to teach small kids.

Summer brings some watery fun. Why not try jet boating (for those tall enough), paddleboarding or kayaking in a quiet cove, then go beneath the water’s surface and see the trout and salmon that gather at the Queenstown Pier for regular feeds. You can even watch as ducks dive down and grab at the fish food too. When the trees start to turn in autumn there’s still a lot for families. Get off the beaten track with an off road adventure or land tour in Queenstown and venture where few people have gone before.

Check out the parade at the annual Akarua Arrowtown Autumn Festival, and choose a restaurant with a kids' menu to help feed the tribe.

For downtime or rainy days there’s plenty of indoor fun including cinema, swimming pools, go karting and trampolines to keep everyone occupied and happy.