Book cheap flights to Queenstown

Descending into the heart of the Southern Alps, travellers are greeted by the dramatic landscape of a region widely recognised as the premier destination for alpine exploration. The town sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, serving as a central hub for those journeying through the rugged terrain of the Otago region.

The local identity is deeply intertwined with the surrounding wilderness and gold-mining heritage, evident in the nearby historic precinct of Arrowtown. Cultural discovery continues along the Marine Parade waterfront and through the Queenstown Gardens, while the Skyline Gondola provides a vertical perspective of the urban layout against the Remarkables mountain range.

This destination is defined by a high-energy atmosphere that transitions seamlessly from outdoor adventure to refined lakeside relaxation. Whether the focus is on exploring the vast trail networks or experiencing the renowned viticulture of the Gibbston Valley, the area maintains a reputation for providing a diverse and visually spectacular travel experience.

The energy of the winter high season

When the first snow settles on the peaks of the Remarkables, the atmosphere in Queenstown transforms into an alpine hub. From June to August, daily life revolves around the ski fields, with temperatures often hovering between 1°C and 8°C. Visitors arriving at Queenstown Airport are immediately greeted by the sight of jagged, white-capped mountains that characterise this popular winter destination. The streets buzz with a cosmopolitan crowd, filling the town centre after the lifts close for the day.

This period is defined by a festive social rhythm, most notably during the Queenstown Winter Festival, which celebrates the start of the season with fireworks and lakefront events. The crisp, clear air provides perfect conditions for photography and outdoor socialising by open fires. While the pace is fast and the town is at its most lively, the natural beauty of Lake Wakatipu remains a serene backdrop to the winter sports action.

Low season in Queenstown: tranquil charm

Outside the ski season, the region takes on a more relaxed and contemplative character. The quieter shoulder months run from April to May and from September to November, when the intense crowds dissipate, allowing the natural landscape to reclaim centre stage. Temperatures are milder, often reaching 15°C, making it an ideal time for exploring the extensive network of hiking trails without the summer heat or winter chill. Travellers landing during these months notice a distinct shift towards a slower, more deliberate lifestyle among the locals.

The cultural identity of the town during the low season focuses on the region’s renowned viticulture and artisanal food scenes. With the golden hues of autumn leaves or the bright blooms of spring, the visual landscape is arguably at its most spectacular for those seeking quietude. Outdoor experiences shift from high-adrenaline snow sports to peaceful lakeside walks and visits to nearby Arrowtown. Trails and cellar doors that queue in the ski months are all but empty in these weeks, leaving a sense of space and calm that the peak winter rush never allows.

Getting to and from Queenstown Airport

A single gateway provides the primary air link to this Alpine region. The descent on a flight to Queenstown is widely considered one of the most scenic in the world, ending on the valley floor just outside the main township.

Queenstown Airport (ZQN)

Located approximately 8 km east of the town centre in the suburb of Frankton, Queenstown Airport (ZQN) serves as the critical international and domestic hub for the lower South Island. The facility operates with a single, well-equipped terminal that manages frequent flights to Queenstown from major domestic hubs like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, alongside year-round international connections from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Due to its unique location surrounded by mountainous terrain, the airport is known for its daylight-restricted operations and spectacular approach paths.

Upon exiting the arrivals hall, travellers can easily access the Orbus public transport network, which runs at regular 15-minute intervals throughout the day. The Route 1 bus provides a direct link to the Queenstown Town Centre, with the journey typically taking around 25 minutes depending on traffic conditions. For those seeking a more direct door-to-door service, official taxis and ride-hailing vehicles are stationed immediately outside the terminal, offering a faster 15-minute commute to central lakeside accommodation. Additionally, several commercial shuttle operators provide shared transport to specific hotels and nearby ski fields, while the Frankton bus hub serves as a connection point for those heading further afield to Wanaka or Arrowtown.

Set between Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, Queenstown keeps alpine lookouts, gold-rush history and cellar doors within a short drive of the town centre.

• Lake Wakatipu: This glacial lake is the soul of the region, known for its unique lightning-bolt shape and a mysterious rhythmic rise and fall of water levels that local legends attribute to the heartbeat of a submerged giant.
• Bob’s Peak and the Skyline Gondola: Rising 450 metres above the town centre, this vantage point offers a panoramic orientation of the basin, where the lake meets the mountains in a display of sheer vertical scale.
• TSS Earnslaw: A historic twin-screw coal-fired steamship that has navigated the deep alpine waters since 1912, offering a tactile connection to the region’s maritime heritage and early pastoral life.
• Arrowtown: Located a short 20 km drive from the main hub, this former gold-mining settlement preserves its 19th-century charm with restored miners’ cottages and a tranquil riverbank that once drew thousands during the gold rush.
• Kawarau Bridge: Recognised globally as the birthplace of commercial bungy jumping, this historic suspension bridge spans a turquoise gorge and represents the pioneering spirit of adventure that defines the local culture.
• Queenstown Gardens: Situated on a quiet peninsula, these botanic gardens offer a peaceful contrast to the town’s high-energy reputation, featuring towering Douglas firs and rose gardens that have flourished for over a century.
• Milford Sound / Piopiotahi: While located further afield, many visitors use the town as a base for scenic flights that soar over the Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its sheer cliffs and cascading waterfalls.
• Gibbston Valley: Known as the ‘Valley of the Vines,’ this high-altitude wine region is famous for producing world-class Pinot Noir in one of the most southerly wine-growing areas on the planet.

Getting ready for a trip to Queenstown involves finding a flight that balances convenience and value. A good seat is usually where the discovery begins, and loose travel dates are still among the surest ways to keep the fare down for your journey. For those who fly frequently, an Opodo Prime membership puts extra savings and member benefits behind every arrival beneath The Remarkables.