Everything you need to know about the WHV in Queenstown

Getting to Queenstown

There are several ways to reach Queenstown:

• By plane: There is an international airport but you might also find it more affordable to fly into one of the bigger international airports (e.g. Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland) and then take a domestic flight. Book with Ulysse for preferential fares.
• By car: If you want ideas for a road trip on your way to Queenstown, check out New Zealand South Island road trip: Our itineraries.
• By hitchhiking: If you choose to take the risk, the road to Queenstown is busy (with all the tourists!) so it’s likely you will find a ride. Be patient, as you often won’t be the only backpackers waiting for a lift.
• By bike: The scenery is superb, and the roads are not that hilly. The route can be done entirely by pedalling without (too much) risk to your life at intersections/bends.
• By bus: Queenstown is served by several bus companies. Read on for more information about the bus services available in this region.

Getting around Queenstown

Buying a car

The best way to explore the city and the wider Otago region is by car. If you need help buying a car for your time in New Zealand, take a look at our article Buying a car or van in New Zealand.

Vehicles for sale are mostly found on Trade Me, Facebook groups like Cars for Sale in Queenstown, or Backpacker Board. You will also find listings in hostels and on supermarket notice boards.

Another option is to go to a car dealer. They may cost more but the benefit is that you can try before you buy. A further advantage is that buying from a car dealer often comes with a one-year warranty, which is reassuring when buying an older vehicle. The car dealer must also sell it to you with a new warrant of fitness (WOF).

If you plan to buy from a dealer, it would be wiser to travel to Dunedin, where the choice is more varied and the prices more affordable.

Options for if you don’t buy a car

If you only want to use a car for short trips, consider renting a car. You will find all the usual brands (Hertz, Avis, Budget, etc.) either at the airport or around the city centre. If you’re booking with Hertz, make sure you use our special deal to benefit from a 10% discount on your rental.

If you prefer to be driven around, you can use one of the taxi companies in the area: Green Cabs, Blue Bubble Taxis, Corporate Cabs or Arrowtown Taxis. You can also use a water taxi to travel across Lake Wakatipu.

To get around the city, you can consider renting a bike. Queenstown is well-designed for cyclists, with trails for mountain biking and off-road biking, as well as easy rides around the city centre.

Another short-term solution for exploring without a car is to book a guided tour. It won’t be the most affordable option, but tours are a great way of exploring the area if you don’t have your own set of wheels. They’re also a way to meet other backpackers! You will find a good selection on the official tourism website. Otherwise, the tourist information office will be able to help you pick the right tour for your budget.

Public transport in Queenstown

Queenstown is served by the Orbus public bus system. It has five bus routes (plus a sixth route, which is a ferry service between Queenstown and Kelvin Heights). Note that there is no night service.

The cost for a single bus trip is NZ$4 for an adult, or NZ$2 if you have a Bee Card. It costs NZ$5 to purchase the Bee Card, plus a minimum top-up of NZ$5. The Bee Card is rechargeable and allows you to benefit from cheaper fixed rates. For more information, see Fares.

There are also two regional bus services. Ritchies travels between Wanaka, Queenstown, Cromwell and Dunedin. Intercity covers various destinations across the South Island.