Planning to visit Skyline Queenstown in Queenstown, New Zealand? Learn about Skyline Queenstown, the luge, and consider all the tips in this guide to help you plan and prepare for your visit.
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Intro
The Skyline Queenstown is one of the most popular experiences in New Zealand. With panoramic mountain views, thrilling luge tracks, and an unforgettable dining experience overlooking Lake Wakatipu, it’s a Queenstown must-do for first-time visitors, families, and adventurers.
This guide covers everything you need to know before visiting Skyline Queenstown, including ticket options, the best time to go, what to expect, and insider tips to get the most out of your visit.
Recommended Queenstown Tours & Activities
Book unforgettable experiences and check out the below recommended Queenstown tours, activities and attractions:
What Is the Skyline Queenstown?
The Skyline Queenstown is a mountaintop attraction located on Bob’s Peak not far from the Queenstown town centre. The Skyline Queenstown complex includes:
- Gondola Ride
- Outdoor Scenic Viewing Platforms
- Skyline Luge Tracks
- Stratosphere Restaurant & Bar
- Cafe & Bar
- Mountain Biking Trails
- Gift Shop & Photo (for purchase) areas
You can visit just for the views, but you can also combine the gondola ride with luge ride(s) and/or the buffet dinner at the restaurant too.
Skyline Queenstown Location
Tickets & Pricing
Entry ticket prices varies depending on the season and ticket type, but you can expect:
| Ticket Type | Includes | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Gondola only | Roundtrip gondola ride | Sightseers & photographers |
| Gondola + Luge | Gondola + 2–6 luge rides | Families & adventure seekers |
| Gondola + Dinner | Gondola + Stratosfare buffet | Couples, celebrations, sunset lovers |
| Luge add-ons | Extra luge rides | After your first run (because one def isn’t enough) |
I made a dinner reservation for the Stratosphere Restaurant and that ticket also included the gondola ride. However, when we got to the complex, we decided to ride the luge so we ended up buying multiple rides at the Gift Shop 🙂
To book your tickets, head to the Skyline Queenstown website by clicking here.
Best Time to Visit
If you can, try going on a clear day! The views will definitely be the highlight of your visit. But some notes:
| Time | Why Go |
|---|---|
| Morning | Clear views, fewer crowds |
| Afternoon | Good lighting for photos |
| Sunset ⭐ | The best time! Incredible colors over the lake, ideal for dinner |
| Evening | Romantic vibe, city lights below |
We visited in the afternoon on a clear day and the views were amazing!! Our dinner reservation also landed right around sunset, so we were also able to catch the skies turn gold and purple, and Queenstown’s lights turn on.
The Gondola Ride
The gondola ride is fast and smooth as it takes you up ~1,476 feet (450 meters) above Queenstown in just about 5 minutes. The gondolas are smaller where it can fit up to 6 people, but 4 comfortably. We actually got our own gondola just for the 2 of us, so we got to admire the views in our own private gondola.
The gondola also has floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize your view of the surrounding area as you head up. If you’re not partaking in any of the activities at the top, the gondola ride and the views already make visiting Queenstown Skyline worth it.
Viewing Platforms & Photo Spots
There’s several viewpoints at Skyline Queenstown where you can get incredible views of the Remarkables mountain range, Lake Wakatipu, and Queenstown. Just roaming around the complex and the grounds, you’ll find endless photo opps, so be sure to bring a camera!
There are certain areas where a Skyline camera is set up to take your photos and is registered to a PhotoPass that’s included with your Gondola ride ticket. You receive your photo pass at the base of the gondola, where you also take your first photo. While you’re exploring the complex, look out for staff members at various photo spots where they will scan your PhotoPass QR code and direct you for the photo. Before going on the gondola ride back down though, head to the photo kiosks to review the PhotoPass photos and purchase prints (if you want).
Skyline Luge Experience
The Skyline Luge is a fun activity enjoyed by both kids AND adults! This is definitely a must-do activity if you’re visiting, and once you see the tracks and other riders, you’re going to want to experience it yourself.
If you did not pre-book luge tickets, you’re able to purchase a la carte rides at the Gift Shop.
Then you’ll have to take a bit of a walk on a wooden walkway that brings you to the luge area. Here, you’ll grab a helmet, drop any belonging in the lockers, then ride a small chairlift to get to the start of the luge tracks.
There will be another line to get on the luge themselves. Also, there are two lines that form. One is for first-time riders, so you can get a safety briefing where a staff member also goes over how to stop and go on the luge. Then once you’ve rode your first ride, then you can line up in the returning rider line. This line is usually shorter and goes by faster since everyone has already taken the safety briefing and training.
As part of the training for first-time riders, the staff will also give you a moment to try the “accelerate” and “braking” features. Then once you feel comfortable with the controls, then you’re off! There are 2 track options: one that is slower and scenic, and the other that is more advanced.
There is a map and signs that point you to the different tracks. However, during my visit the slow and scenic track was under construction, so we had no choice but to ride the advanced track, but it was so much fun!! It’s fast, fun, and you get amazing views. If you can, do at LEAST 2 rides, but why not just do 3?
Dining at Stratosfare Restaurant
For an elevated experience, make a dinner reservation at the Stratosphere Restaurant. As mentioned, this package already includes the Gondola ride tickets.
Before our dinner reservation, we went to check-in, and the hostess let us know that we just need to wait a few minutes, and while we wait, we can get a drink at the bar and enjoy it at any of the bar seating. Even during our short wait, we were enjoying our cocktails with amazing views.
Then when our table was ready, we were seated right against the large tall windows for more panoramic views of Queenstown, and the mountain and lake views. Amazing.
The restaurant does buffet dining, which was actually really delicious! There was a huge selection with seafood, meats, salads, desserts, and even a carving station. Everything we picked up was incredible, and we were also able to order drinks including alcoholic beverages.
Our dinner reservation started at X PM, so we were able to catch the sunset during dinner. I highly recommended reserving around sunset for the incredible golden hour views, and you get to see Queenstown’s lights turn on.
Other Things to Do Up Top
There are other activities you can do while at Skyline Queenstown:
- Cafe & Bar with snacks and drinks
- Gift Shop
- Mountain Biking
- Paragliding (book separately)
- Stargazing tours (seasonal)
How Long to Spend There
It might be a bit hard to plan for how long you should spend at Skyline Queenstown, but hopefully the below can help. Of course if you’re a type of person that loves to take photographs or selfies, then you might want to add a bit of time to do that AND also enjoy the views.
| Experience | Time Needed |
|---|---|
| Gondola + views only | 1–1.5 hours |
| Gondola + Luge | 2–3 hours |
| Gondola + Dinner | 2–3 hours |
| Gondola + Luge + Dinner | 3–4 hours |
Tips to Make the Most of Your Adventure
1. Book in Advance
Book your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in a long line at the ticket sales office. If you have your ticket, you can already line up into the gondola line.
2. Choose Sunset
For the most magical and beautiful experience, visit before sunset, and stay for sunset! You won’t regret it.
3. Start with Fewer Luge Rides
Don’t commit to buying a ton of luge rides. Start without purchasing luge rides, or start with a few. If you love the experience, then you can buy more rides!
4. Get to The Luge as Soon As You Arrive
Once you get to the top, head to the Luge area right away. There may be another line to get on the luge chairlift, and you might want a locker to drop your belongings off at.
5. Visit on a Clear Day for the Best Photos
If possible, visit Queenstown Skyline on a clear day! It will elevate the views and your photos.
6. Bring an Action Camera for the Luge
If you want to capture your luge experience, bring an action cam like a GoPro or Insta360 for the luge. The wide angles on these cameras will capture the fun perfectly.
7. Bring Mount for the Action Cam
Do also bring a mount for your action cam. If you don’t have a mount, just be sure to have it tethered to you at all times.
8. Bring a Camera
To capture the incredible mountain and lake views, bring a camera! Of course your phone camera is perfectly fine, but if you got a more fancy one, bring it!
9. Bring a light Jacket
You are on top of a mountain so it can get chilly. So bring a light jacket in case it gets a bit windy and cold.
10. Wear Sunscreen and Bring Sunglasses
Even if it’s a cold day out, you are still atop a mountain, closer to the sun, so wear sunscreen and bring sunglasses to protect yourself.
11. Wear Sneakers if Riding the Luge or Hiking
If you’re going to ride the luge or hike around, wear sneakers that are secure on your feet.
Where to Stay in Queenstown
For me and this itinerary, I prioritized a convenient location to all the main sights we planned to see. So we opted to stay at the Caples Court Motel & Apartments located right off the main road. We found this hotel’s location to be perfect since it was within walking distance to the main town with plenty of restaurants and bars nearby, and a short walk to the Milford Sound tour pickup location.
Book the same stay by clicking here or add your dates and click “Search” for availability in the widget below:
Final Words
The Skyline Queenstown is one of the top must-do attractions in the region and for good reason! It’s fun, scenic, and uniquely Queenstown. You’ll get breathtaking views, luge rides with an amazing backdrop, and even a romantic dinner above the town. I hope you add visiting Skyline Queenstown to your New Zealand itinerary.
Did you visit Skyline Queenstown too?
Let me know what stood out most during your visit in the comments below!
(new zealand māori “thank you!”)
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