Our Skyline Gondola Experience in Queenstown, New Zealand
Imagine gliding above Queenstown, New Zealand, in a gondola offering amazing views of the city below. The Skyline Gondola will carry you up to Bob’s Peak for an unforgettable experience.
As you ascend, you can see Lake Wakatipu below and the Remarkables mountain range behind, creating a picture-perfect scene.
During our trip to New Zealand we tried out one of the country’s most popular attractions, the Skyline gondola packaged with a premium dinner at Stratosfare.
In this article below, I’ll tell you more about our experience, what you can expect, and what I recommend if you want to check out Skyline yourself.
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Getting to Skyline
The base of the Skyline Gondola is conveniently located at 53 Brecon Street in Queenstown. It’s a prominent landmark there, so it’s hard to miss.
You’ll find it just a short walk from the heart of downtown; however, the roadways leading to the base are steep so those with mobility restrictions may prefer to drive.
When we were there, parking was quite limited, but now there is a multi-story parking garage available.
Queenstown’s compact layout means many accommodations are within walking distance. We made the walk from where we were staying at Hotel St. Moritz and enjoyed getting out to stretch our legs before dinner.
Once you arrive at the base, you can enter and present your ticket to get your ride up.
Make sure you read the guidelines for your reservation. For example, we booked the Gondola + Premium Dinner package but needed to note that the time on our ticket was the time of our dinner seating so we needed to make sure to arrive at Skyline in time to scan our tickets and ride up before our reservation time.
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The gondola ride
The most important thing for me to tell you is that I do not enjoy heights. Period. Full stop. However, I am getting better at trying new things despite this fear.
Before we took the gondola ride up, my greatest fear was that the cars would swing in the wind and make me feel insecure at that great height. Once we were underway, I realized I didn’t need to be afraid of that. Skyline recently upgraded the gondola cars, and they did not sway much at all in my opinion.
I also found that facing the city, so I could enjoy the nice view, kept me calmer than focusing on the steepness of the ride ahead.
The large windows in the cabins make it easy to see the entire landscape as you ascend. Keep your camera handy! Hubby and I took many pictures during the ride up as well as from the top.
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At the top
As you step off the gondola, you’ll find plenty to do at the summit.
We had some time to use up before the Stratosfare restaurant opened for dinner so we could be seated. We used that time to explore the gift shop and to enjoy the view from the observation deck.
Those who don’t want to eat at Stratosfare (which is a big splurgy) can check out the Market Kitchen Cafe.
Guests can also enjoy
- The luge
- Mountain bike uplift services for those who want to explore on their bikes
- Stargazing tours
The Premium Dinner experience
As long as you’re taking time out of your itinerary to enjoy the gondola ride, consider adding on a meal at Stratosfare. Our opinion is that the Stratosfare Restaurant’s Premium Dining option is a must-try.
Note: this is not a budget meal option, but rather a splurgy experience.
We chose a dinner reservation time that would allow us to see the sunset from our guaranteed window table. All through our meal we enjoyed beautiful views of Queenstown and the lake and mountains as the sun was going down.
The premium dinner includes a drink of your choice. And they do have nonalcoholic drinks. Hubby and each tried a different mocktail to go with our lovely dinner.
The dinner buffet options were so many and so varied that it was almost overwhelming. There was no possible way I could try everything I wanted to. Everything we tried was really good, and we were delighted with how many gluten-free and vegetarian options there were.
This was one of our favorite meals in New Zealand.
Diners at Stratosfare get 90 minutes to enjoy their buffet meal, which was more than ample for us. After we ate, we went back out to the viewing deck to get some photos of Queenstown after dark from far above.
My tips and recommendations
- Book your gondola tickets online in advance to avoid lines. This can save you valuable time, especially during peak tourist seasons.
- If you want to book a premium meal, definitely book in advance. Hubby and I think this is worth it. Our dinner experience was truly memorable.
- Arrive early to make the most of your visit.
- Dress in layers and bring a light jacket. Even on warmer days, it can be cooler and/or breezy at the top.
- Don’t forget your camera! The panoramic views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu are truly photo-worthy.
- Even if you think you might not enjoy this because you don’t like heights or think it’s too “touristy,” consider going anyway. I didn’t expect much from Skyline Gondola, but Hubby really wanted to do it, and I ended up really loving it. It took me by surprise.
The bottom line
The Skyline Gondola in Queenstown offers an unforgettable experience. You’ll be treated to wonderful views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains as you ascend.
More fun awaits you at the top. From delicious meals to luge rides to stargazing sessions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The Skyline Gondola experience is sure to be a highlight of your New Zealand trip.
More articles about New Zealand
- How much did we spend on our New Zealand trip?
- Our favorite New Zealand road trip coffee stops
- Visiting the Onsen Hot Pools in Queenstown
- Was Hobbiton worth it?
- Easy hikes in Tongariro National Park
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