Where is the Best view in Queenstown?

Queenstown is the London of New Zealand. If you've heard of New Zealand you've heard of Queenstown. Tourists, backpackers and random foreigners pack the vicinity every year in the summer for popular water sports on Lake Wakatipu or New Year shenanigans. The winter is just as good a time to go, being spoiled by stunning snow capped views while skiing and snow boarding around the jagged Remarkables mountain range, that look like something straight out of a fairy tale or Lord of the Rings for that matter (uh..thats 'cause they actually are straight out of Lord of the Rings).

Some would argue the view from up there was the 'Best view in Queenstown'. But then i would retaliate with a winner that gets 'em every time: 'You can't view the Remarkables from the Remarkables'. Silent, vacant stares answer my smug response. Because I think the best views are from the observation deck 450m above the town, at the top of the Queenstown Skyline Gondola. A gondola? you say. But isn't a gondola a small punting boat where a man dressed in stripes serenades you cringe-worthy melodies along a canal? Well, yes and no. No, because in Kiwi land a gondola is what 'outsiders' would call a cable car. But a definite must do for when you first reach Queenstown and need to see where you are staying in relation to the pubs.

• Spread out before you is the ever growing tourist hub, Lake Wakatipu and Cecil and Walter Peaks, those remarkable Remarkables, and Coronet Peak. Be sure to check out the restaurant or cafe and souvenir shop while you're up there. To get back down..you can either take the cable car again (yawn), or you could ride down on the Skyline luge the fastest fun on wheels! Or jump off the side of the mountain via the AJ Hackett bungy jump. Hmm such a hard decision.

• The Skyline Gondola is open daily (even Christmas day) from 9.00am until late.
• Gondola prices start from £8.00 per adult and £4.00 for kids. 
• Gondola + luge ride prices start from £11.00 per adult and £7.00 for kids.

Not a bad price to pay for the Best View in Queenstown.

Comments

[Tim Alpe]

Great post about the gondola. If you are an adventure freak, then you cannot miss the bungy jumping. Atop the gondola, about 400 metres above Queenstown is the Ledge Bungy. The location is exotically scenic and you can do a jump in the night as well. It costs around $130 for an adult.
Tim Alpe

[Just was there]

Actually, I thought that Deer Park Heights was a way better deal. You have to drive across the way to Frankton but it's like $20 per vehicle and you get to drive higher than the gondola will take you above the downtown. Oh, and you get to feed animals. And you get to see the Remarkables much better. While we were up there a big jet took off right below us, circled the hills and flew back over our heads. That was the coolest. Love your site!

[Queenstown]

I went sky diving in Queenstown and it's surely the best that you can get!

[Morgan]

After reading this couldn't help but make a comment to say thanks, nothing better then inside info from a kiwi. So thanks!

[Nathan Williamson]

Love the blog! Enjoying all these insider tips, they'll be comin in handy when I head to the land of LOTR in November! Keep up the good work!