Getting to and Around Queenstown
Getting to Queenstown
By air - Queenstown Airport (ZQN) is the main entry point for most visitors and is well serviced by domestic and international flights. Air New Zealand and Jetstar operate frequent services from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Direct international flights operate from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and several other Australian cities, with additional seasonal routes during the ski season. The airport is approximately 8 kilometres from the town centre.
From Christchurch - Around four and a half hours by car via State Highway 8 through the Mackenzie Basin and over the Lindis Pass. This is one of New Zealand's great road trips and well worth doing in daylight. The route passes through Twizel, Lake Tekapo, and the Central Otago landscape before dropping into the Queenstown basin.
From Dunedin - Approximately three hours by car via State Highway 6 through the Clutha Valley and Central Otago wine country. A scenic and straightforward drive.
From Wanaka - 70 minutes via the Crown Range Road, which is New Zealand's highest sealed road and genuinely spectacular in good weather. Note that the Crown Range can be closed or require chains in winter conditions. The lower route via Cromwell and Arrowtown takes around 90 minutes and is easier in winter.
Getting Around Queenstown
On foot - The town centre is compact and highly walkable. Most restaurants, bars, the lakefront, Steamer Wharf, the gondola base, and Queenstown Gardens are all within comfortable walking distance of a central location. Our Lomond Crescent properties are a short uphill walk from the town centre.
By car - A rental car gives you the most flexibility for day trips to the ski fields, Arrowtown, Glenorchy, and Wanaka. Parking in central Queenstown is limited and paid during business hours. Our properties include off-street parking, which removes the need to deal with town centre parking on a daily basis.
By ski bus - During the ski season, Queenstown operates a well-run bus service to both Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. Buses depart from central Queenstown and are a practical alternative to driving on alpine roads in winter conditions.
By taxi and rideshare - Taxis are readily available in Queenstown. Uber also operates in the town. Both are useful for evenings out when you do not want to drive.
By bike - Queenstown has a growing network of cycling and walking trails. Electric bike hire is available from several operators in town and is a popular way to explore the waterfront trail and surrounds.
Key Distances from Queenstown
Arrowtown - 25 minutes
Coronet Peak ski field - 30 minutes
The Remarkables ski field - 40 minutes
Glenorchy - 45 minutes
Cromwell - 45 minutes
Wanaka via Crown Range - 70 minutes Wanaka via Cromwell - 90 minutes
Cardrona ski field - 90 minutes
Dunedin - 3 hours
Milford Sound - 4.5 hours
Christchurch - 4.5 hours
Practical Information
Currency - New Zealand dollar (NZD). ATMs are available throughout the town centre. Credit and debit cards are accepted almost universally.
Time zone - New Zealand Standard Time (NZST), UTC+12. New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT), UTC+13, applies during summer (roughly October to April).
Weather - Queenstown has four distinct seasons. Summer (December to February) is warm and dry with long days. Autumn (March to May) brings cooler temperatures and spectacular colour, particularly around Arrowtown. Winter (June to August) is cold with snow on the mountains and occasional frosts in town. Spring (September to November) is unpredictable but often beautiful. Pack layers at any time of year.
Medical - Lakes District Hospital is located on Douglas Street in central Queenstown. A pharmacy is available in the town centre.
Supermarkets - A Countdown and a New World supermarket are both located within easy reach of the town centre and are open seven days.