Thrills for young and old

The 'adventure capital of the world' offers myriad family-friendly activities like cycling tours, farm visits and jet boating

- Denise Lim

QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand — We adjust the mesh hoods on our bee suits and tread slowly towards the beehives.

Mr Nick Cameron, a fifth-generation beekeeper, uses a smoker to puff a gentle stream of cool smoke near the hives. "This has a calming effect on the bees," he whispers.

Slowly, he opens a pastel-coloured hive box, revealing frames filled with hexagonal cells and honeycomb.

"It's surprisingly heavy," my eldest daughter says with a gasp when a full hive frame — with honey, wax and brood — is placed in her hands.

We are on a beekeeping experience in Queenstown, located in the South Island of New Zealand.

Queenstown is nicknamed the "adventure capital of the world", known for activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving and white-water rafting.

But beyond the adrenaline rush, does it offer enough to do for those travelling with children?