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Towering above Queenstown up at Bob’s Peak, Skyline Queenstown offers a variety of things to do and see for visitors from all over the world! This blog is about all of the different things to do at Skyline Queenstown including some important info such as getting there and tips to know before you go!
The other day we took the gondola up to Skyline Queenstown and discovered that there is actually a ton of different things to do up there! From adventure activities to hiking to relaxing with a glass of wine at sunset, Skyline Queenstown has a ton to offer visitors.
So in this blog, we’ll tell you all about the 10 different things to do at Skyline Queenstown as well as include some other important info for visiting such as getting there and prices.
About Skyline Queenstown
One of the most popular things for visitors to do when they visit Queenstown is to take the gondola up to Skyline Queenstown at Bob’s Peak. Here you’ll find a magnificent lookout over Queenstown promising breathtaking views.
Getting to Skyline Queenstown
The first thing you need to know about Skyline Queenstown is that you can’t drive there. Skyline Queenstown is located up at Bob’s Peak which towers over Queenstown.
You can get to the Skyline Queenstown building either by hiking the Tiki Trail or taking the Queenstown gondola.
Parking
Normally parking on Brecon Street near Skyline Queenstown would be an option but it is currently unavailable. There are several other parking options around Queenstown town center, Wilson Parking and Man Street Public Carpark, on Man Street are the closest.
If you have a large campervan you can part it at Boundary Street Carpark, they have plenty of dedicated spots for larger vehicles. Note that you cannot park large campervans in the Queenstown CBD.
The Queenstown Gondola
The gondola up to Bob’s Peak leaves from the end of Brecon Street. If you head up the large set of stairs on Shotover Street in the town center and continue straight up you are only a 2-minute walk from the start of the gondola.
The gondola takes you from Queenstown up to the Skyline Queenstown building at the top of Bob’s Peak. From there, you will find an amazing view and a whole new selection of things to do!
Hike the Tiki Trail
If you want to hike, head to where the gondola leaves from on Brecon Street and follow the signs for the Tikki Trail.
This hike takes about an hour and is moderately difficult. It climbs straight up the entire way which makes it a challenge for some people. However, most of the trail is shaded and it is well maintained.
To be completely honest, the views from along the trail are not spectacular so the only reason to hike the Tiki Trail instead of taking the gondola would be to save a few bucks.
Related Read: One of the best ways to explore New Zealand’s South Island, plan a road trip!
Facilities at the Top of the Gondola/Skyline
- Stratosfare Restaurant
- Stratosfare Bar
- Market Kitchen Café
- Skyline Giftshop
- Restrooms
10 Things to do at Skyline Queenstown
We finally went up the Skyline Queenstown gondola for the first time the other day and were pleasantly surprised with what we found when we got up there.
We expected amazing views, but what we didn’t expect was the wide range of things to do and see! From riding on tiny go-carts down the side of the mountain (the Luge) to stargazing, we were busy for hours! Here are the 10 things you can do at Skyline Queenstown!
1. Ride the Gondola
Obviously, the gondola up to Skyline is an experience in itself. From inside the gondola, you can get incredible views of the forest below as well as Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
It is possible to walk to the top of Bob’s Peak, but that means you miss out on the gondola – which is just a shame. Not to mention, the walk is quite a bit of effort taking a couple of hours overall and it is completely all uphill!
The gondola is a short 5-minute ride, but a memorable one at that. Because of the quick pace, you won’t be waiting to board for long (if at all) and often will get a gondola all to yourself (4 people maximum per gondola cart)!
As a fairly affordable activity with the opportunity for viewing some incredible sights, the gondola is an activity that we would highly recommend to anyone.
You can skip the line and buy your gondola ticket online in advance.
2. Ride the Luge
Once we arrived at the top of Bob’s Peak and got out of the gondola and headed straight for what looked like a great time – the Luge!
I loved riding the Luge! The Luge is an exciting gravity-powered ride down the mountain! Jump in your own little cart and let gravity take you speeding and winding downhill!
The great thing about the Luge is that you have the ability to control your own speed. If you want to take things easy, especially on your first run, you can ride the breaks and go slow. But, if you are a bit of a thrill seeker you can go full speed!
There are also two different track options, one that is more relaxed and one that is more advanced and faster. If you take the advanced route and don’t break too much you will find yourself getting quite the adrenaline rush! Booking this gondola pass includes the option to ride the luge while you are up there!
3. Have a Buffet Lunch or Dinner
One of the highlights of our time up at the Skyline Queenstown building was our dinner at the Stratosfare Restaurant. The food is a buffet-style feast but instead of the typical buffet (where the food can be quite bland), the Stratosfare Buffet was filled with high-quality dishes and ingredients.
Some of our favorites included venison, tiger prawns, and the huge selection of desserts!
Aside from the great food we also really loved the views. The entire front of the restaurant is glass and if you’re lucky enough to get a table right at the front the views are spectacular. The Stratosfare Restaurant up at Skyline Queenstown is easily one of the best restaurants in Queenstown!
You can even book your gondola ride as a combo ticket that includes your choice of lunch or dinner, doing this in advance also prevent tickets from being sold out during peak times!
4. Go Mountain Biking
This is one activity we haven’t done…yet! However, judging by the thousands of mountain bikes I see around town it’s safe to say using the gondola to access the many trails that run down from Bob’s Peak to Queenstown is hugely popular!
We are both not the biggest mountain bike riders, but would still love to give some of the easier trails a go one day soon!
In town, you can rent bikes and at the gondola, you can buy a single run-pass, day pass, multi-day pass, or even a season pass depending on how keen you are! We will be sure to update you when we give it a go for ourselves!
5. Join a Star Gazing Tour
After the sun goes down there is still one activity left to cross off the list and that’s stargazing at Skyline Queenstown! Once it gets dark, you can venture out under the night’s sky and look through huge telescopes at the planets and galaxies around us.
You will get to spot some famous star formations and learn all about our huge galaxy and the millions nearby!
If it is cloudy, don’t worry, you can either reschedule for another day or join their indoor presentation which is very cool. This is what we did, and while it is a different experience than real stargazing through a telescope, it is still interactive and interesting. Oh, and they supplied free wine and snacks!
6. Go Bungy Jumping
Up at Bob’s Peak is one of the locations where you can bungy jump in Queenstown. Run by AJ Hackett, this is possibly the bungy with the best views of Queenstown and also something you could sneak in before lunch, dinner, a luge ride, or any of the other activities!
Take it from me, a bungy jump is one of the best ways to make a good day better!
7. Go Paragliding!
On one of Queenstown’s many sunny days, you will see that solo and tandem paragliding is in full swing. As the temperature heats up so does the ability to stay in the air longer.
Taking the gondola up and then taking a ride down under a huge canopy is the best way to get down!
You can book rides in town or at the top, however, they don’t run in bad or windy weather so a nice day is required!
8. Try Ziplining
Ziplining is another fun way to get from the top of Skyline Queenstown down to Queenstown. It is another adventure activity that is much less intense than bungy jumping.
This ziplining experience lasts from 45 minutes to 3 hours and lets you choose one of three courses based on how extreme they are! The shortest one you can do is a Kereru 1-hour ziplining experience that includes a ten-minute walk down the Tiki Trail so you can continue enjoying Skyline Queenstown afterward!
Related Read: Have you heard about canyoning in Queenstown? Learn where to do it!
9. Enjoy Drinks with a View
If going for dinner or lunch in the restaurant doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you could always just pop into the lounge/bar area at Skyline Queenstown and enjoy a drink with an amazing view!
They have seating lining the windows with incredible views looking out over Queenstown. Here, you can order coffee, tea, wine, beer, or even cocktails!
It’s the perfect place to catch the sunset if you ask me!
10. Hike to Bem Lomond Saddle or Summit
Up at Skyline Queenstown, you will find the start of the Ben Lomond Track. This trail climbs up to the top of Ben Lomond summit with a view that is even better than Bob’s Peak! In fact, the top of Ben Lomond is one of the best photography locations in Queenstown.
This hike generally takes up to 6 hours to complete from the top of the gondola and it isn’t the easiest. However, if you enjoy hiking this is definitely one of the day hikes you must tackle in Queenstown!
Other info to Know Before You Visit Skyline Queenstown
- Besides the dinner and lunch buffet at the Stratosfare, there is a cafe that serves snacks, ice cream, sandwiches, and more! Pack a picnic lunch or eat up there!
- Don’t forget your camera – the views are incredible!
- Skyline Queenstown is open all year round! Some activities may close due to weather conditions but the views from the top are great all of the time and well-worth checking out!
- The gondola starts operating at 9 am and goes until late!
For more information on visiting Skyline Queenstown, check out their website here!
Other Must-Do Queenstown Activities
We love Skyline Queenstown, but there are plenty of other fun activities in Queenstown! Check out the ones below and add some to your itinerary.
- Go bar hopping – There are some awesome bars in Queenstown’s small town center, from the humble tradies bar to more extravagant and luxurious ones. Smiths Craft Beer House is one of my favorite places to go when I want to try some new beers. 1876 has a lovely patio on a nice day and Cowboys is a fun place to party!
- Go ziplining – If you love a good adrenaline rush like me, you’ll enjoy this zipline over Lake Wakatipu and the snow-capped Southern Alps. You can pick from 3 height options depending on how daring you’d like to be. Regardless of which you choose, you’ll be flying high over incredible scenery!
- Visit Milford Sound – One of the most scenic places in New Zealand is Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park. To see it, book this Full-Day Milford Sound Experience which includes a scenic drive stopping at many of the best lakes, valleys, and tunnels before embarking on a 2-hour cruise through the fiords and waterfalls in Milford Sound. It will be a full day, but it’s an unforgettable experience!
- Visit a sheep farm – New Zealand has more sheep than people, so you must visit a sheep farm while here! But hey, why not do it in style? This Walter Peak Farm Tour includes a cruise in the TSS Earnslaw (a vintage steamship!) to this picturesque seaside farm. Once there, you’ll enjoy a tasty meal of high-end barbequed meats or seafood- buffet style. Cap things off with the choice of desserts and cheeses. Afterward, you’ll watch a sheep shearing demonstration or a sheepdog show.
- Take a scenic food and wine tour – The Queenstown area is a foodie heaven, with incredible wine and cuisine that you just have to try. And on this day tour, you’ll sip wine from New Zealand’s largest wine cave, be served a gourmet lunch, and indulge in local cheeses – all with an epic view to boot!
Renting a Car or Campervan in New Zealand
The first step to planning your New Zealand road trip is choosing your set of wheels! Most people rent a campervan or motorhome to get around, but you can also just rent a normal car and stay in hotels (as opposed to camping.)
You can search for rental cars online with Discover Cars in advance to compare car models and prices. We’ve used this website all over the world and if you want more details, read our honest review of Discover Cars for more details!
You can also do this with motorhomes and campervans on a website called Motorhome Republic. It shows all of the available campervans and motorhomes for your specific New Zealand road trip dates. You can compare prices and company reviews here too!
JUCY is our personal favorite campervan rental company in NZ. We love JUCY because they have such a range of both cars and campervans available, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to find something to suit your budget and travel style.
We’ve actually secured an exclusive discount code for our readers with JUCY. Just click here to browse their availability and use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off! What a good deal!
You can check prices, availability and book with JUCY online here.
Star RV is another company we personally recommend but specifically for motorhomes! They offer larger motorhomes (as opposed to budget campervans) at really reasonable rates.
Star RV has actually given us a discount code for our readers too! Use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off your motorhome rental! Click here to browse availability, prices, and book with our discount code!
Note: For both Star RV and JUCY, no discounts or promotions will be applied for pickups from December 16, 2024 to January 19, 2025 for New Zealand and Australia. But for the entire rest of the year, the discount is yours!
Thanks for reading!
Overall, we had a fantastic few hours up at Skyline Queenstown! We went Luging, rode the gondola, enjoyed the sunset with wine, had a tasty dinner, and then did stargazing – it made for a perfect afternoon and evening!
We will definitely be back to check out all of the other things to do as well as enjoy another sunset! We would highly recommend heading up the gondola and exploring the activities up there to anyone coming to Queenstown – Skyline Queenstown is easily one of the best things to do in New Zealand!
We have done so much in Queenstown! Read check out our huge selection of Queenstown blogs, or better yet, all of our New Zealand blogs! Or, just check out some of our favorites below:
The BEST Queenstown Wineries and Wine Tours
Jubilee Meyer
Thursday 1st of November 2018
Wow! That view is breathtaking!