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A hot spot for extreme adventure sport enthusiasts and snow bunnies, Queenstown is the ultimate destination for anyone seeking a high octane, outdoor adventure.
During summer, white water rafting, canyon swinging and sky-diving are prime activities to fill your schedule with while during winter, it's all about skiing and snowboarding on some of the nation's best snow fields. This includes Coronet Peak, the Remarkables and Treble Cone.
Queenstown has its own airport, which receives international and domestic flights, making it easily accessible from major Australian cities as well as other New Zealand destinations including Auckland and Christchurch.
Gearing up for an adventure of a lifetime? You won't find better this side of the hemisphere than in Queenstown.
Getting around in Queenstown
With Queenstown being an adventure hub filled with adrenaline-pumping activities, we share the top ways to get to your favourite thrill.
We've detailed your options regarding how to get around the city, how to get to its surrounding areas and how to get up the mountains with ease.
Queenstown public transport
The city centre of Queenstown, where you can find travel agencies, restaurants and bars, is compact and walkable. Most of the city's accommodations are within a kilometre of the centre.
- Types of transport. Bus services in Queenstown are with Connectabus. You can find water taxis around town and you can book shuttle buses to reach destinations for adventure activities.
- Paying for transport. You can buy the GoCard for $5 and top it up with a minimum of $10. The card saves you 10% off the fair price for Connectabus. If you're staying for a week, you can get a weekly pass for $47 which provides you with unlimited travel (not including Wanaka). Cash fare is also accepted.
- Best apps for getting around. An app is currently in development to track public transport.
- Getting to the snowfields. Shuttles need to be booked in advance to reach Queenstown's more difficult to get to adventure spots. There are a number of shuttles to get you to your destinations, such as Kiwi Discovery, Tracknet and Real Journeys.
Taxis and Rideshare
Taxi. You can pre-book taxis or catch one from designated taxi stands. Taxis are available directly outside of the airport terminal.
Rideshare. Ola and Uber are both available in Queenstown.
Airport transfers in Queenstown
Queenstown's airport is only about 7km from town. If you're looking for a seamless airport-to-city journey, you can pre-book airport transfers from sites like Viator and Jayride -- some even offer to stop off at attractions along the way.
Deal
Flights to New Zealand from $283 return
Expires 15 Jul 2022
Available on flights until April 2023 to Queenstown, Christchurch and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Auckland with Jetstar. Other airlines include Air New Zealand from $575 and more.
Deal
New Zealand flights from $316 each way
Expires 11 Jul 2022
Available on select flights dates in 2022 to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Queenstown. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 75% off things to do in New Zealand
Plus kids go free on select activities including skydives, sightseeing cruises, tours and helicopter flights. Destinations include Queenstown, Auckland, Franz Josef, Taupo, Milford Sound and more.
Deal
New Zealand flights from $357 return
Available for flights from 3 July 2022 – 25 January 2023 to destinations Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington. Sample fare is Sydney-Auckland with Jetstar.
Deal
Up to 15% off New Zealand adventures
Available on tours in 2022–2023. Destinations include Christchurch, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Queenstown, Auckland and more.
Deal
Up to 10% off New Zealand getaways
Expires 31 Aug 2022
Available on stays until 30 September 2022 for My Millennium members. Destinations include Queenstown, Auckland, New Plymouth and more. Membership is free. T&Cs apply.
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Up to 15% off New Zealand getaways
Expires 30 Aug 2022
Available on select dates in 2022. Destinations include Queenstown, Auckland, Rotorua and Christchurch. Minimum spend of $200 required. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 10% off New Zealand ski experiences
Expires 31 Aug 2022
Available on select travel dates from June – September 2022 and June – September 2023. Destinations include Queenstown, Wanaka, The Remarkables, Christchurch and more.
Deal
Up to 10% off staycations
Expires 20 Dec 2022
Enjoy 10% off from best flexible rates on all stays in Zest Hotels and Swiss-Belhotel properties including Sydney, Bali, Auckland, Queenstown and more. Book and stay available until 20 December 2022. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 20% off New Zealand campervan hires
Available on select rental dates in 2022 with Britz, Apollo, Cheapa and more. Destinations include Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington and more. Sample fare is for a rental with McRent. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Queenstown stays from NZD$82/night
Available on select stay dates in 2022. Sample stay is near Queenstown Centre. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 25% off New Zealand ski passes, rentals shuttles and tours
Book ski passes, tours, heliskiing experiences, gear hire and more in Queenstown, Christchurch and Wanaka.
Deal
Up to 5% off per person
Available for travel on select dates on bookings of 5-16 people. Destinations include Queenstown, Rotorua, Alice Springs, Uluru and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
New Zealand stays from NZD$30/night
Available on select stay dates in Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, Waihike Island, Rotorua and more. Sample stay is at Waihi Beach Village. T&Cs apply.
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New Zealand stays from $28/night
Available on select stay dates in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown and more. Sample stay is in Waihi Beach Village. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Novotel Queenstown Lakeside stays from $312 per night
Expires 5 Jul 2022
Available on select dates in 2022.
Deal
New Zealand trips from $1,604
Available for travel on select dates in 2022. Destinations include Queenstown, Christchurch, Franz Josef Glacier, Auckland, Wellington and more. T&Cs apply.
