Skyline Queenstown Gondola

Overview

The Skyline Queenstown Gondola is the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere, rising 450 metres to the top of Bob's Peak. It offers panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables, and Queenstown township below.

Highlights

• Panoramic Views: Sweeping 220-degree vistas across Lake Wakatipu, Cecil Peak, Walter Peak, and the Remarkables mountain range from the viewing decks at the top.
• Luge Tracks: Three gravity-fuelled luge tracks wind down the mountainside, ranging from scenic beginner runs to advanced courses with banked corners.
• Stratosfare Restaurant: A buffet restaurant at the summit serving New Zealand cuisine with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the alpine panorama.

History

Opened in 1967, the Skyline Gondola was one of New Zealand's earliest tourism ventures in the region. It has been upgraded multiple times, with the current Swiss-made Doppelmayr gondola cabins installed in 2011, each carrying four passengers on the 730-metre ride.

Visitor Tips

• Sunset Timing: Book a late-afternoon ride to catch the sunset over the mountains — the light on the Remarkables is spectacular.
• Combo Deals: Purchase gondola-plus-luge combo tickets for the best value.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.