Queenstown rewards families who mix up how they get around. Some days call for your own car and the freedom to stop wherever the view demands it, others are better handed over to a driver while everyone in the back watches the Southern Alps go by. A coal fired steamship and a cable car up Bob's Peak round out the list of genuinely fun ways to move through this part of the South Island. Here is what is actually running around Queenstown.
Evolve Rentals Car Hire
The Evolve Rentals Car Hire delivers your hatchback, sedan or SUV straight to your Queenstown accommodation, so the family can start exploring from the doorstep rather than queuing at a rental desk. Snow chains and child seats are included free of charge, useful if the ski fields or a Wānaka day trip are on the itinerary, and the minimum driver age is 21.
TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour
The TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour puts the family aboard the last coal fired passenger steamship in the Southern Hemisphere for a 45 minute crossing of Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where a sheep shearing demonstration and a barbecue buffet wait on arrival. Child rates apply from 5 to 15, with infants 4 and under free.
Skyline Gondola
The Skyline Gondola climbs Bob's Peak in around seven minutes, the fastest way to get the family from lake level to a proper view over Queenstown township and Lake Wakatipu. Once at the top there is the option to add a run on the luge track before heading back down. Child rates apply from 6 to 14, pre schoolers from 2 to 5, with infants under 1 travelling free.
Milford Sound Small Group Coach and Cruise
The Milford Sound Small Group Coach and Cruise takes the driving off your hands entirely, a premium Mercedes van capped at 15 passengers with reclining leather seats and a panoramic roof, followed by a small boat cruise on the fiord itself. A picnic lunch with a choice of chicken or vegetarian is included, so nobody in the family goes hungry on the long day out.
Frequently asked questions
Is self drive or a coach tour better for a family trip to Milford Sound?
A coach tour like the Milford Sound Small Group Coach and Cruise takes the pressure off, especially with kids in the back, since the alpine road demands full attention from the driver.
What comes included with the Evolve Rentals car hire?
Snow chains and child seats are included free of charge, along with full insurance and 24 hour roadside assistance, so there are few surprises once you are on the road.
Is the TSS Earnslaw a good option for younger kids?
Yes, the crossing is calm and the farm stop at Walter Peak gives kids a chance to stretch their legs and watch a sheep shearing demonstration before lunch.
How long does the Skyline Gondola take to reach the top?
Around seven minutes, making it one of the quickest ways to get a proper view over Queenstown without a long walk or drive.
Do we need to book Queenstown transport in advance?
It is worth booking ahead in peak season, particularly car hire and Milford Sound coach tours, since both can sell out on popular dates.
Locals know to pair a self drive day with a coach day, driving yourselves out to Glenorchy or Arrowtown one day, then letting someone else handle the wheel on the long Milford Sound run.
Book your Queenstown transport above and get the family moving the easy way, on the road, the lake or up the mountain.