The Skyline Gondola is one of the must-visit attractions in Queenstown! Taking the Skyline Gondola will elevate you high above, offering a bird’s-eye view of the entire town.
If you have enough time, booking a buffet meal at the mountaintop restaurant and spending a good part of the day there is definitely worth it. Especially as you watch the sky gradually darken over Queenstown, it’s a completely different scene.
Queenstown Skyline Gondola Highlights
- Enjoy the stunning views of Queenstown’s lake and mountains.
- Taste the authentic cuisine at the mountaintop restaurant.
- Experience a relaxing and enjoyable ride on the luge.
Because many people purchase tickets that include lunch or dinner, meal times are peak periods.
The Skyline Gondola features the steepest cable car track in the southern hemisphere. As you slowly ascend in the cable car, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of Queenstown!
While riding the gondola, we noticed that many people were hanging their mountain bikes at the cable car station. Despite experiencing various outdoor activities during our time in New Zealand, we haven’t ventured into the realm of mountain biking yet!
Mountaintop Viewing Platform
After descending from the Skyline Gondola, you’ll enter the mountaintop platform, which houses restaurants, shops, and other facilities. After climbing the stairs, head directly to the right to reach the mountaintop viewing platform.
The view from here is fantastic, offering an overlook of the entire Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the surrounding mountains. The camera shutter couldn’t stop clicking – highly recommended!
Sumptuous Buffet Lunch
We strongly suggest opting for a ticket that includes a meal when purchasing the Skyline Gondola experience. This way, you won’t be rushing and can take your time to enjoy the beauty of Queenstown during your meal!
We booked the buffet lunch this time and looking out from the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows, we were struck by the unreal shade of blue. Overall, the buffet lunch was quite good – the lamb chops and mussels were decent, the steak received high marks, and overall, it was worth the price.
Additional information
- Location: Skyline Gondola Base (53 Brecon Street, Queenstown)
- Parking: Free parking for up to 4 hours is available at the front, but spaces are limited.
- Duration: Over 4 hours
- Price: Ranges from 30 NZD to 150 NZD depending on the chosen activities.