Are you planning a trip up the Queenstown Skyline Gondola? I’ve got you covered!
The Queenstown Skyline Gondola is the Southern Hemisphere’s steepest cable car and a top attraction in Queenstown. It will take you high into the mountains where the most epic views of Queenstown and surrounds awaits you.
And the views are just the beginning! Once at the top you can continue the adventure with luge rides, mountain biking, access to some of the best hiking trails and a variety of dining options.
Plus, the Queenstown Skyline gondola has just undergone a major renovation, complete with brand new state-of-art gondolas. And upgrades continue with plans to expand the Top Complex.
I live in New Zealand and visit Queenstown often. I always leave time in my Queenstown itinerary for a trip up the Skyline Gondola. Here, I’m sharing all you need to know to help make the most of this must-do experience.
What you need to know
Location
The base of the Skyline Gondola is located at 53 Brecon Street, a short 5 minute walk from the center of Queenstown. It’s pretty easy to spot making its way up Bob’s Peak while wandering around downtown Queenstown. There are several public parking facilities around downtown, the closest options are located near the bottom of Brecon Street.
Opening Hours
Opening hours vary depending on the day and week you will be visiting, and the type of activities you plan to do. For the most up to date information on opening times head over to Skyline Queenstown’s official site which provides an easy to follow table summarizing the times available for the different activities for the upcoming weeks.
Some of the activities, such as the guided walks, are seasonal while others like stargazing are impacted by weather so be sure to check the park status on the Skyline Queenstown website on the day, especially if you will be visiting during the winter season.
Pricing
A return gondola ride will cost you around $52 NZD for an adult and $36 NZD for a child. There are several package options combining the gondola with other activities as well as special deals and discounted family pricing to really make a day of it.
How to book
Tickets can be purchased in advance directly from the Skyline Queenstown website or from the gondola base station on the day. If you book in advance you can pick your tickets up from the Gondola Base Station ahead of time and avoid getting in line to purchase tickets on the day.
Best time to go
The Queenstown Skyline Gondola is a great experience any time of the day and year. Opening times vary at different times & days throughout the year so be sure to check the current times when planning your visit. Also, certain activities may be limited or closed during peak winter months or extreme weather so be sure to check the current status of the park on the Skyline Gondola Queenstown website if visiting during those times.
It is generally less busy earlier in the day. We generally visit on a weekday outside of school holidays and there is hardly a line at all. It’s a smooth operation and we were bundled into our gondola and whisked away in no time at all.
A reservation is advisable for some activities in which case you will need to plan your arrival time around that. The gondola ride takes about 15 minutes one way. Sunset is the perfect time to dine at the Stratosphere Restaurant & Bar.
Things to do
Viewing Platform
Once you’ve soaked up the views on the ride up the Skyline Gondola will drop you off at the main complex on the top of Bob’s Peak. Head out to the main viewing platforms and be treated to panorama views of Queenstown and surrounding mountain peaks such as The Remarkables and Coronet Peak.
Have a wander around the Skyline complex outdoor area for more epic views and casual sitting areas where you can watch the luge drivers fly by. Back inside you’ll find a gift shop with postcards and souvenirs and a Jelly Belly store to satisfy that sweet tooth.
The Luge
Once you’ve reached the top of the main gondola complex, head outside where you’ll find access to the purpose built luge tracks that will take you on dips, curves and through tunnels. If you’re riding the luge, look for signs for the luge chairlift which takes you right to the top of the luge tracks.
You can choose from different color tracks to ride down based on how easy or fast you want to go. The luge track ends at the bottom of the chairlift. Repeat the process for however many rides you’ve purchased. You can also purchase extra rides from the top of the gondola. There are some age and height restrictions for small children so be sure to check the website for details.
Bike Park
Did you know The Queenstown Bike Park is New Zealand’s first-ever Gondola assisted bike park featuring 30 downhill MTB trails totalling over 18 miles (30kms) of riding trails and over 1400 feet (450 meters) of vertical descent?
Sounds like a pretty epic place to ride and you’ll be high in the hills with incredible views all around you. The gondola crew will help secure your bike to the outside of the gondola cabin at the base and unhook it at the top. You can hire out a mountain bike for the day from Bikeaholic located on Gorge Street in downtown Queenstown.
Dining Options
There are a couple of great dining options once you reach the top of the Skyline Gondola. The Market Kitchen Café is the perfect spot to grab a coffee or light bite to keep you fuelled for a day of activities. It offers all the favorites including pizza, burgers, pies and more in a casual atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating options complete with those stunning views.
The Stratosfare Restaurant is a buffet style restaurant offering sitting times for lunch and dinner. Sittings are for 90 minutes and bookings can be made directly on the Skyline Queenstown website. There is even a premium option which comes with a house drink and will guarantee you a table by the floor to ceiling windows showcasing panoramic views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
Not hungry, a hot chocolate or mulled wine in the Stratosfare Bar is a great spot to end the day and take in Queenstown and surrounds as the sun goes down.
Star Gazing
The stars shine bright in Queenstown and stargazing on the top of Bob’s Peak is a unique experience you won’t soon forget. You’ll learn how to navigate the stars, be awed by the milky way, use high powered telescopes and maybe even spot another planet.
Numbers are limited so reservations are highly recommended. A clear night is essential for the tour to run and will be confirmed on the day. If the weather doesn’t play nice you will be offered the option to rebook or given a refund. I recommend booking this for the beginning of your stay so you can re-book if needed.
Hiking
The top of the Skyline Gondola connects to one of my absolute favorite hikes in New Zealand. It’s one of the highest peaks in the Wakatipu Basin with the most incredible views. I’ve written a guide where you can read all you need to know about hiking Ben Lomond.
Not keen to tackle this peak on your own? No problem, Skyline Gondola Queenstown now offers guided hikes up to the summit of Ben Lomond which are available between the months of October and April.
Smaller tracks include the Tiki Trail which is a 1 hour track that takes you from the base of the gondola up to Bob’s Peak and the Skyline Loop Track which is an easy 30 minute return walk starting at the top of the luge.
The Lower Ridge Track is a moderate 50 minute uphill walk that takes you onto the ridge of Bob’s Peak offering panoramic views. From the top of the luge take the signposted track to the Paragliders. Pass the reservoir and keep walking uphill until you see a signpost to Lower Ridge Track.
The Moonlight Track is another full day’s hike that can be accessed from the top of the Skyline Gondola. Follow the signs to the saddle and turn off to the right to follow the Moonlight Track. It’s a moderate 6 hour one way track so you will need to arrange transport at Arthur’s Point where the track ends.
Other Activities
You may see the meeting points for other activities such as AJ Hacket Bungy New Zealand, G Force Paragliding and Ziptrek Ecotours, a top Queenstown zipline experience, at the top of the Skyline Gondola. They share the space but operate independently so if you’re keen you’ll need to get in touch with those companies directly.
Final thoughts
Whether a quick trip up to experience the views or an action packed day of it the Queenstown Skyline Gondola has something for everyone and is a must do when visiting Queenstown. I try to get up there each visit to Queenstown and there is always something new to explore. Once you’ve experienced Queenstown from above how about getting amongst it with an exhilarating jet boat ride through the river canyons.
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Heather is a travel enthusiast living in New Zealand with her family. She writes about living in and enjoying travel to New Zealand.