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Queenstown is famous for its outdoor activities as the adventure capital of the world. But if you’re looking for things to do in Queenstown when it’s raining, don’t worry – there are plenty of indoor activities in Queenstown to keep you entertained!
From thrill experiences to indoor trampolining, we’ve got the perfect rainy day activity for all ages. Take a look at our list below and get ready for hours of indoor fun in Queenstown, New Zealand!
Queenstown, in New Zealand’s South Island, is one of the most beautiful places to visit NZ no matter the weather. But if it’s a rainy day and you’re looking for fun for the whole family, thankfully there are a load of options.
Rainy Day Activities In Queenstown
If the weather has turned bad for your visit to Queenstown, there’s no need to panic! These Queenstown indoor activities will help you stay dry (or embrace the rainy weather.
This guide includes family-friendly indoor activities, rainy day activities for adults plus a few outdoor activities that are lots of fun no matter the weather!
If you’re heading to Auckland next, check out our rainy day guide to Auckland too!
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Fun Family-Friendly Indoor Activities In Queenstown
If you’ve already checked out our guide of things to do in Queenstown with kids, you might already have a few ideas but just in case you landed here first, let’s start planning your indoor fun!
Odyssey Sensory Maze
The Odyssey Sensory Maze in Queenstown is a fun challenge for the senses. It takes you through an adventure of dark spaces and physical obstacles created by lighting, sound, and room design.
The maze experience takes you through 12 different rooms with a variety of games and typically takes around 20-30 minutes to complete or as much time as you like.
Ideal for older kids or adults alike, this activity will keep your mind stimulated!
Location: 57 Shotover Street, Queenstown.
Time Tripper Queenstown
Time Tripper Queenstown will take you on a journey through time, to learn about the history of New Zealand and see how life has changed.
Time Tripper is a state-of-the-art animated show that takes you on an incredible adventure, from when dinosaurs roamed the earth to modern times.
You will experience 90 million years in under 30 minutes. The show itself is around 12 minutes long with 10 – 15 minutes of underwater viewing available after the show to see ducks diving under the water, eels or rainbow & brown trout.
Location: Rees St Marine Parade, Queenstown.
Alpine Aqualand
We first heard about the Alpine Aqualand indoor waterpark when we were checking out all things to do in Queenstown with kids. Although we didn’t pack our swimmers for our winter trip!
It has a wave pool, a toddlers’ play area and lots of other fun activities for big and small people alike – including 2 hydroslides!
All the swimming pools are heated plus there is a hot pool for adults to soak in for relaxation too.
Location: 33 Joe O’connell Drive, Queenstown.
iFly Indoor Skydiving Queenstown
If you love the adrenaline-fueled adventure experiences that Queenstown and most of New Zealand do so well, indoor skydiving at iFly is a great way of getting your thrills even when it’s raining.
Queenstown Indoor skydiving is the perfect way to experience flight in a safe and controlled environment. You’ll be jumping out of an indoor vertical wind tunnel with your friends, or solo if you prefer!
Even the kids can have a go in this experience you won’t soon forget!
Location: 27 Brecon Street, Queenstown.
Escape Quest Queenstown
If you’re looking for a fun way to keep the whole family occupied on rainy days, then Escape Quest is a great place to go.
The cleverly designed challenges are perfect for all ages with plenty of escape challenges that cater for kids as well as adults. Plus as an added bonus, kids under 7 play for free!
They also have VR escape rooms to enhance the experience.
Location: 32 Rees Street Level 1, Mountaineer Building, Queenstown.
Thrillzone
Thrillzone Queenstown is one indoor attraction that will get your adrenaline pumping on a rainy day.
They have a state-of-the-art Omni VR room! Get lost in virtual reality as if you were really there. Play puzzles, escape bad guys or go head to head with others in combat-style shootouts all while experiencing what it would be like to live the life of your dreams.
Here are all the fun things they have on offer:
- Escape Adventure
- Escape Rooms
- Escape VR
- Omni VR
- Hologate VR
- 12D Motion Theatre
- Race Car Simulator
- Laser Tag
- Paintless Paintball
- Bazooka Ball
- Glow in the Dark Mini Golf
- Kidz Club
Location: 53 Shotover Street, Queenstown
Game Over Queenstown
Game Over is an indoor entertainment complex in Remarkable Park. Game over is specially designed for rainy days. Here you can play video games in the arcade, laser tag, or speed around the indoor go-karting track.
The arcade games are sure to keep the kids entertained for an hour or three.
Location: Red Oaks Drive, Frankton.
Puzzling World
Take a day trip to Wanaka and visit the fun family attraction Puzzling World. You will find optical illusions, puzzle rooms and cool photo opportunities. And if you don’t mind a little wet weather, grab your poncho or raincoat and work your way through the outdoor maze.
Wanaka is only around an hour from Queenstown and Puzzling World is just one of the fun family attractions.
Check out more ideas on things to do in Wanaka if you want to make a full day of it.
Location: 188 Wanaka-Luggate Highway, Wanaka.
For more family-fun indoor activities in Queenstown:
- Basecamp Adventures Queenstown Climbing Centre
- SITE Indoor Trampoline Centre
- Chipmunks Indoor Play Centre
- Reading Cinemas to watch the latest movies
- Queenstown Ice Arena Indoor Ice Skating
- Indoor mini golf
Indoor Activities In Queenstown For Adults
If you’re looking for grown-up fun in Queenstown, there are plenty of great options for day and night. While many of these activities are still kid-friendly, sometimes it’s great to head out for some adults-only activities.
Check out these great indoor activities for adults in Queenstown:
The Winery
One of our favourite places to visit in Queenstown was The Winery. This unique concept is perfect for anyone who enjoys sampling different wines and it’s located right in the heart of Queenstown.
Set up your charge card, grab your glass and make your way around the room to tap and pour the wines of your choice. This one is definitely not for when you plan to drive afterwards!
They also serve cheese platters and have non-alcoholic drinks for kids if you do have the family with you.
Or better yet, take a New Zealand winery tour and finish your day back here when you get back to town!
Location: 9 Ballarat Street, The Mall, Queenstown.
Fear Factory Queenstown
Fear Factory will give you the fright of your life in Queenstown. You’ll walk through a maze filled with all things that go bump in the night, and some pretty scary scenes too! This is one indoor attraction that’s not for the faint-hearted.
Make your way through the haunted hotel with live actors and special effects to frighten you each step of the way.
This experience is for ages 7 and up although better suited to older kids and adults.
Location: 54 Shotover Street, Queenstown.
Winery tours
New Zealand is world-famous for its wines, and Queenstown is the perfect place to find out why.
A winery tour in Queenstown will give you a great insight into how winemaking has evolved over time, and of course, tasting some award-winning wines that are made on-site at one of the many wineries nearby.
If you want to combine your wine tasting experience with some sightseeing, even on a rainy day you will find plenty of beautiful sights on your way to the local wineries!
Here are some popular winery tours to try:
- Queenstown Classic Wine Tour – 3 vineyards, cave tour and cheeseboard.
- Hop On Hop Off Wine Tours – Experience some of the best wineries at your own pace without the hassle of driving.
- Central Otago Wine Tour from Queenstown – Includes visiting 4 vineyards, lunch & wine.
Onsen Hot Pools & Day Spa
Pamper yourself with a relaxing day at the Onsen Retreat and Day Spa, located just 10 minutes from Queenstown for a unique experience. Spend up to an hour soaking in one of the traditional Japanese-style ‘onsens’ – open-air hot tubs.
Your private jacuzzi experience is accompanied by drinks and snacks while you gaze out over stunning natural scenery while bathing in steamy waters.
With a retractable roof, your hot tub experience can go from indoor to outdoor and back again with the touch of one button, so you can enjoy the breaks in the rain with the open spa experience.
Note: Children over the age of 5 are allowed in the hot pools if you are visiting as a family.
Location: 60 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown.
Brewery Tours
Breweries are a great attraction for any visitor to Queenstown. You can experience the history of beer making, learn about the process behind brewing and try some of the finest beers in New Zealand.
You can visit multiple breweries on a Queenstown Brewery Tour and enjoy tastings at each location as well as take home some of your favourite brews.
Minus 5 Ice Bar
Minus 5 Ice Bar is a novelty experience for any weather, although its likely more fun for adults than kids. As its name implies, its temperature is extremely cold and our kids struggled to stay warm even with the provided snow gear, so make sure you dress extra warm if you are visiting.
Everything, the furniture, sculptures, and bars, are made up of ice. Your entry includes snow boots and a jacket plus a drink inside.
You can also check out the Below Zero Ice Bar in Queenstown too.
Location: Beach Street, Steamer Wharf, Queenstown.
Outdoor Activities For Rainy Days In Queenstown
If you are only visiting Queenstown for a short time and don’t want to miss out on some of the best activities and outdoor fun, sometimes the best thing is to just roll with the wet weather and get outdoors anyway!
Here are some best things to do outdoors in Queenstown that are lots of fun no matter the weather:
Shotover Jetboating
Jet boating is a must for all visitors and offers some of the best views in town. If you are feeling adventurous, go for the ultimate jet boat experience on one of Queenstown’s rainy days as it will just add to the thrill since you’re going to get wet anyway!
The Shotover river jetboating experience is one of the most popular attractions in Queenstown, skimming your way around the Shotover River.
Location: 3 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown.
Hydro Attack Experience
Prepare for an adrenaline-pumping, watery adventure with the Seabreacher X watercraft! You will dive deep into Lake Wakatipu and experience high speeds as you enjoy 360-degree spins, side rolls and lots of exciting manoeuvres.
With a one-on-one driver to guide you through this thrilling ride, it’s sure not to disappoint!
This is a fun experience for the whole family, suitable for ages 6 and up, with up to 4 riders at once.
We didn’t get the chance to try this ourselves when we were in Queenstown but it was very cool to see it popping out of the water unexpectedly!
Location: 50 Beach Street, Queenstown.
If you are looking for a way to enjoy your time indoors on a wet and dreary day, then this list of indoor activities in Queenstown may be just what you need! From indoor thrills to arcades, wine tours and jetboating, we have got it covered with these fun suggestions.
So when the next storm rolls around (and trust me they will!), you’ll know exactly where to turn for some quality family bonding time or date night entertainment without having to sit indoors going stir-crazy with boredom!
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