Queenstown Local Tips
Living in Queenstown means we can share a few helpful tips
To help with your stay in Queenstown, we've put together our top tips that are based on local knowledge. Our Useful Information Guide provides guidance on a number of travel related services.
Cheaper Cinema - Reading Cinema on the Mall offers reduced ticket prices on Tuesdays.
Top 5 Walks - We've picked our Top 5 Queenstown Walks that can mostly be done in a few hours - meaning you’ll much more likely to actually try them for yourself. Read our Top 5 Walks article for more details.
Top 5 Bike Trails - Our top 5 biking trails in Queenstown list includes a couple of rides from the Queenstown Trail but also a few that are fairly close by and equally beautiful. Read our Top 5 Bike Trails for more details.
Cheap Lunch Deals - Many restaurants offer lunch specials. Head to Beach and Ballarat Streets to catch many of these deals.
Best Food Shopping - The Remarkable Park Shopping Centre in Frankton includes the supermarket 'New World' or, check out 'Countdown' in the newer Five Mile Retail Park also in Frankton.
Best Scenic Drive - The drive to Glenorchy only takes 45 minutes and provides you with some truly spectacular scenery. Leave Queenstown along Lake Esplanade Road and follow the sign to Glenorchy. Read more in our Drive to Glenorchy article.
Frisbee Fun - Pick up a frisbee and head to Queenstown Gardens for a round of disc golf. The gardens are next to the main beach.
Cheap Drinks - Happy Hours tend to start from around 4.00pm. Many of the cheapest drinks tend to be around the Village Green area which includes the Pig and Whistle, 1876 Restaurant and Bar and Brazz Steakhouse and Bar. Cowboys in Searle Lane offers free snack food with your drinks in the early evening. View our 'Happy Hour Guide' for details on all the deals around.
Cheap Cookies - Cookie Time on 18 Camp Street. '2 for 1 Cookies' deal from 6.00pm - 7.00pm.
Gondola Walking Trails - At the top of the Skyline Gondola, there are a few good walking trails, although fairly steep! The Ben Lomond Saddle is 3-4 hours return. The Ben Lomond Summit is 6 hours return and offers the best views of the region.
Classified Ads - The Lakes Weekly Bulletin is the local classified paper to search for those cheap property rentals and unwanted items. You can pick up for free in various places around town including the food mall on Queenstown Mall.
Wine Regions - Tour the beautiful wine regions in Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell that are less than an hour's drive from Queenstown.
Finding The Best Breakfast - Queenstown has some great options for enjoying the most important meal of the day'. We've picked our favourite breakfast options that offer a diverse choice to cover different tastes. Read more in our Queenstown Breakfast article.
Parking - Queenstown parking in the town centre is typically priced between $1 - $4 per hour. There are a number of free parking options around the town between 30 minutes and 180 minutes. A limited number of free spaces can also be found on a first come first served basis. Read more in our Queenstown Parking Guide.
Bus Card - The 'Bee Card' is a smartcard that offers passengers cheaper fares (than cash) in nine regions around New Zealand, including the Queenstown and Otago region. You can purchase the card online, create a profile and top up. The card balance is transferred to everywhere you travel in New Zealand and works the same way.
Our Favourites:
Wine Bar - The Lodge Bar and Eichardt's on Marine Parade.
Rooftop Bar - Attiqa Sundeck on The Mall.
Pub/Bar - The World Bar on Church Street.
Coffee - Left Bank Cafe in the Sofitel Hotel on 8 Duke Street, The Exchange on 39 Ballaret Street, Bespoke Kitchen on 9 Isle Street, The Dishery in Arrowtown.
Dining - Blue Kanu on Church Street
Takeaway - @Thai on Church Street, Fergburger/Fergbaker on Shotover Street.
