The buzz of kids’ happy screams

Stephen Heard

We were tossing up whether to visit the trampoline park, with its seven Olympic-sized supertramps, or take the leisurely Earnslaw Steamship cruise to a high country farm. We probably spend far too much time thinking about how to entertain our child on holiday.

In the end, Queenstown’s fail-safe gondola and luge combo came out on top.

As the screams for snacks turned into screams of joy zooming around bends and through tunnels, there was no arguing it was one of the best money-can-buy experiences for a family holiday.

Over lunch we decided that the next day it would be a journey to Glenorchy, not to capture the world-famous photo in front of the red shed, although we did attempt our own variation straddling a tree over the water, but for the scenic adventure.

This was late December, an unseasonal 14-degree day, and there was our 3-year-old making a beeline for the alpine waters of the Glenorchy lagoon. Jumping in and out of glacial pools like it was the tepid surf of Australia’s Bondi Beach turned out to be unbeatable, cheap fun. A picnic bench gave us a few minutes to take in the glorious setting before the predicted requests for dry clothing.

The experience was a pleasant reminder that you don’t necessarily need to fork out wads of cash for an enjoyable holiday. On pages 34-35, you can read Brook Sabin’s recommendations for activities that don’t break the bank – from a massive water slide at O¯ hope to clear-bottom kayaking at the Goat Island marine reserve.

I would love to hear your suggestions for affordable family-friendly fun. Email stephen.heard@stuff.co.nz.