CityBuddy
Skyline Queenstown
Best time to visit
Late afternoon, around 4 p.m., to catch the golden sunset over the mountains and then see the city lights turn on. The restaurant is calmer before 6 p.m.
Budget tips
The round-trip gondola ride costs about NZ$ 59 per adult. Buy tickets online in advance to save and consider the gondola + luge combo, which offers better value for money.
Recommended for
Adventurers, Romantic couples, Photographers, Families with children
Plan your visit
3-4 hours
About
Quick facts: The steepest gondola lift in the Southern Hemisphere takes you 450 meters above the lake level in just 4 to 5 minutes. Up at the top, the panoramic restaurant serves more than 3,500 meals per day with views of three lakes and snowy peaks.
Highlights: On board the gondola, you climb at a 37.1 degree incline, almost as if you are lying back in the cabin. Up at the top, the floor slowly rotates in the restaurant, so your view shifts from the mountains to the lake and back while you savor a coffee.
Insider tips
- Arrive 30 minutes before your reserved time to secure a window seat at the revolving restaurant.
- The luge is more fun with shorter lines; go in the late afternoon when the large groups have already come down.
- Bring a windbreaker even in summer, as the top is much colder than the city.
- The observation deck on the left side of the restaurant has the most stunning view of Lake Wakatipu.
Where to Stay in Queenstown
Selected by City Buddy based on guest reviews and proximity to top attractions
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