Family-friendly vacation rentals in Te Waipounamu / South Island

loved this place!! the views were gorgeous!! also nice to stay outside the craziness of Queenstown

Thank you Lynda & Nigel. This air bnb is unique in so many ways. It is absolutely 5 star and we would have no hesitation in recommending this private stand alone house as a place to stay. Thank you again

What a gem, tucked above the cookie cutter apartments you have a thoughtfully curated nook to nestle into for your time in Queenstown. An easy walk to town and a short Uber home if the hill seems unnecessary at the end of an evening. We spent delightful hours watching the light over the lake and soaking in the spa.

We made a huge mistake when only booking this place for part of our stay. My thought was to jump around the South Island with my family at a couple stops. Had I known it was this awesome, then I would’ve booked our whole time at Anna’s. This place is exactly what my family loves. The kids will definitely be complaining about where we stay next. This property is AWESOME.

Amazing spot up on the hill overlooking Golden Bay. s Super close to the Pohara shops/restaurants. the views from the hot tub are amazing and catch the sunset beautifully. Perfect place to relax after exploring Golden Bay.

Stu’s guesthouse was a lovely getaway in New Zealand! Close to Queenstown, ZQN airport, and to many outdoor activities. Very peaceful and private, soft linens, and felt right at home. It’s clear that this is not a cookie cutter Airbnb, but a real guesthouse, and it shows in the fit and finish of the property, and Stu’s helpful and kind approach to hosting. I would stay again in a heartbeat!

Shaun and Vanessa’s b&b was exactly what we were looking for. My fiancé and I were visiting from Australia and were staying in a new b&b every night for our week holiday. Shaun and Vanessa’s place was the perfect place to wind down and had the most incredible views we had seen since arriving in NZ. We were unable to experience the spa as we had booked the room quite late but the overall experience we had with Shaun upon arriving, the spotless room with a bed so warm we had to sleep with a window open to let in the night breeze and the breathtaking views, this will be a regular place that we stay at for our future visits to New Zealand. Shaun had also suggested that we take a mini road trip to Lake Tekapo. We stopped on the way and got to see snow for the very first time and experienced the Lake Tekapo hot springs which was the highlight of our trip. Thank you Shaun and Vanessa for an incredible experience and making this our must stay place when we visit your beautiful country again.

Kath and Dan were great Hosts, they went out of their way to make us feel welcome. The weather was wild but the cottage was warm and cosy. We will recommend teapot cottage to friends and family and will definitely stay again if in the area.

We enjoyed our stay in one of the Lazy Seal Cottages. It was private and comfortable, and had everything we needed. The bed always really comfortable! Also worth checking out the local seal colony, just down the road!

I really appreciated the host putting so much love and attention into the house. It really was perfect! After traveling the whole world, this is by far one the most beautiful beaches I have seen. You can see the sea lions from the bedroom window and on a short walk I saw a penguin. While there are little houses next to the property, the neighbors are seldom there. I stayed for a month and saw people maybe two or three times. The rest of the time it felt extremely private. The house is about 25min drive on an unpaved road from Milton. A super tiny town. So if you want to get away, this is the place. What a hidden gem! Super recommended.

Photos don’t do the view justice. Jeremy was a great host. This is a cabin type experience. We stayed in the winter and used the cottage as a home base for skiing and other activities which was great. Quick ride over to Arrowtown and Queenstown but far away enough to feel private and peaceful. Some important points regarding previous reviews I read about the place being “cold”…the ground floor is all slate stone…as Jeremy recommended, just bring some sandals or slippers to wear around. There is a large heat pump, a lovely pot belly stove, and space heaters and all the beds have blanket heaters which we actually didn’t use because they were too hot…so it’s easy to stay warm and the view and coziness are well worth it, but if you’re expecting a thermostat in a hotel room that you set and leave…this wouldn’t be the place for you. We loved our stay and the host was very responsive.

We have no hesitation recommending Lucretia's place. A stunning location above the cliff, beautiful walks on your doorstep, a great little pub just a stones throw away and a visit to the seal colony is a must. The accommodation is very well set up with a great little kitchen, clean bathroom, a comfy bed and a deck to enjoy your morning coffee with a view to die for.

We had a wonderful stay at Jan’s place. We loved all of the details and the interesting art, books and furniture. It felt really homely and there were lots of helpful and thoughtful touches. The beds were all really comfortable with lovely fresh linen. Jan was an incredible host who really made sure that our stay was enjoyable. She was accommodating with a few last minute changes and always responded to messages promptly. We will definitely be booking a stay at Jans the next time we are in Otematata.

We had a great stay here.. very nice, private location. Was nice to be able to take our dog along too. Great spot, thanks Bee

If you're lucky enough to find availability with Beryle, book it immediately. She’s not just a host — she’s one of the kindest, most extraordinary people we’ve ever met. From the moment we arrived, she welcomed us like family. We even (seriously) asked if she’d adopt us — and we’re 29 and 30! She’s the ultimate Kiwi mum: warm, thoughtful, and endlessly generous. She made my partner’s birthday so special with heartfelt touches we’ll never forget. Beryle went above and beyond in every single way. She was incredibly helpful in reviewing our itinerary and used her local knowledge to help us adjust our plans when the weather changed. Her advice was thoughtful, practical, and spot-on. I would use my last dying breath to recommend you stay with Beryle. This was more than a place to sleep — it was a highlight of our trip, thanks to one remarkable woman. The bed was amazing and the bathroom great! We arrived as guests, left as family. I wish I could say more, but I only have 999 characters!

very warm house. clean and comfy stay. did some cooking in the room and wash our dishes outside. big nice TV which we can watch some movie during night. surround animals was lovely.

If your looking for unique, rustic and quirky accommodations just 40 mins north of Christchurch, look no further. Damian’s barn accommodation is such a fun place to stay. From the spa to the turntable with lots of old vinyl to belt out. Topping this off with a glass of his Pinot Noir on the veranda in the afternoon sun was the ultimate escape. Damian is a wonderful host, friendly and welcoming. His breakfast hamper option is very generous and delicious. We were lucky enough to have a tour of the main homestead which has been lovely restored by Damian and also has beautiful BnB accommodation. Two wineries with great food are just minutes down the road. All in all I couldn’t fault this unique accommodation. Thank you Damian for your welcoming hospitality. Cheryl & Donna

Had a very relaxing stay at this peaceful B n B set in wonderful surroundings..we felt like we were in rural France as it was very quaint and charming.We could have had a party in the bathroom..it was HUGE!

Fantastic location, clean and tidy. Lovely and warm on cooler evenings. So handy being 2 minutes walk to the Cadrona pub for dinner.

Sharon is an incredible host. She made us feel like apart of her family. The home was warm, spacious and equipt with everything we might need as a large family. The beds are comfortable, the bathrooms are prestine, and there is plenty of space inside and out. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time, and when we are back in Rolleston we will be booking again. Thank you so much Sharon.

This was our second visit to Atatu and we weren't disappointed. This is a truly beautiful place to stay. The house is fantastic with every facility you could possibly need. A place for total relaxation with pool, spa and space. Beautiful countryside and the sounds of nature on your doorstep. Panoramic views across rolling hills of olive and pine nut trees out to the ocean beyond. If you like to cook then you'll find everything you need in the well appointed kitchen. Lots of dining space both inside and out. Basia is the ultimate host. Informative, helpful, proactive, doing everything she can to make sure your stay is perfect. We had a wonderful stay and hope to return a third time next year.

Nice and tidy, great location. Would stay again.

Suzanne’s property was the best decision we could have made for our trip. Gorgeous rustic design and a working ranch with deer stock nearby. Halfway between Queenstown and Glenorchy the location was perfect for a quiet retreat after a being out and about in town/nature. There are a few guest houses at the location and everyone was friendly and we had plenty of privacy while not being too isolated. Loved it and would stay again or recommend it to friends. Thanks Suzanne!

This is a beautiful Airbnb filled with fantastic decor. It’s a proper home with lovely furnishings and a cracking kitchen. We stayed here just under a week to relax after months on the road travelling and it was the perfect place to do this. Murray & Jo are fantastic hosts and were very quick to respond to messages. I’ve insisted my parents stay here when they visit NZ in a few years time. Worth every penny!