Queenstown on a Budget
Queenstown on a budget
As a Queenstown local (as of Oct. 2021) I know this town is spendy. Before moving here, we came down as much as possible, often on a budget. With a little pre-planning and choosing free activities over the expensive adrenaline junkie ones, you too can enjoy this resort mountain town without making your bank statement cry.
First, we need to plan and pre-book
transport
✈️ If you’re flying here from within New Zealand, you can find cheap flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, although avoid school holidays (see calendar here) and public holidays. Flight prices will be high in Dec-Jan and at the beginning of the snow season. Keep an eye out for grab-a-seat deals on AirNZ and Jetstar sales.
🚗 If you need to hire a car, check a few sites to compare prices. I use Skyscanner Car Hire & airportrentals.com. Snap, Jucy, Ezi and Go Rentals tend to offer more affordable rates. If you are coming in the height of summer (Dec to Feb), book ASAP. It’s the busiest season and prices are steep.
🚌 Another way to save is to skip hiring a car and utilise public buses. Purchase a Bee card online or at Paper Plus in Queenstown Airport for $5 and take rides for only $2. You can take an Uber or taxi from the airport to town and grab a Bee card at the i-Site, but head’s up, the taxi/Uber rates are very overpriced. Access Frankton, Lake Hayes, Shotover, Arthur’s Point and Arrowtown via the bus — they typically run every 1/2 to 1 hour, times are listed at the bus top and are pretty accurate on Google Maps. You can also bus to Cardrona, Cromwell and Wanaka on Ritchies for $40 one-way ($30 for kids and free for infants).
👍 Many travellers and locals stick their thumbs out for free rides around Queenstown. You may wait awhile, but if time is on your side, go for it. Hitchhiking is super safe and common around New Zealand. I’ve heard plenty of stories from friends hitching around and ending up with a free meal and a place to stay for the night. Kindness is the Kiwi way.
budget accommodation options in Queenstown
🚐 Consider combining your accommodation and wheels by booking a campervan. The main campervan companies: Britz, Maui, Apollo and Jucy require a minimum rental period, usually around 5 to 7 days. Try a site like Motorhome Republic to compare prices and van types. Check out reviews and consider booking directly as third-party sites have harsher cancellation policies. A great option to support locals and try out more unique campervans is to book via Camplify. Find the cheapest day rates, plus lose the hassle of dealing with a busy rental depot. Sometimes the owners will drive the vehicle to you otherwise you may need to find a way to it yourself.
With a self-contained vehicle, you can park overnight at a few places around town. Download the CamperMate app to find campgrounds, public showers, and more.
For free: Unfortunately, there is no freedom camping near Queenstown, but there are two locations within 30-45 minutes. Sleep at Kawarau Bridge car park for up to four nights or at the Crown Range Summit.
For cheap: Pay $15 per adult, $7.50 for kids (0 to 4yrs old are free) at DOC campsites. These are non-powered sites with basic bathrooms and picnic tables. Closest to Queenstown is Twelve Mile Delta, a 15-minute drive from town where cell service is non-existent. This lakeside spot offers stunning views and nearby hikes. Moke Lake is one of our favourite camping destinations. Another site where the signal doesn’t reach, this place feels like a secret paradise. On the grassy banks of a smaller, warmer lake than Wakatipu, Moke Lake is motor-free and is perfect for swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking. A two-hour loop track runs around the lake and includes beautiful horse padlocks and mountain vistas. Prices are the same for all DOC campgrounds.
For moderate: Pay $5 to $10 more per person to enjoy many more amenities and be closer to town. Our fam-fav is Driftaway located near Frankton Beach. It’s a brand-new modern facility with a game room, playground, expansive kitchen, tv room and bookable hot tubs. Grassy, non-powered start from $45 ($56/night for two adults), and powered sites start from $62/night. Cabins are also onsite and Driftaway often offer deals for booking three nights or more!To sleep right in town, try Queenstown Holiday Park Creeksyde. Powered sites cost $45 per night for one or $61 for two. The final option is the Top 10 in Arthur’s Point, about a 10-minute drive from the town centre. It’s $55 per night for one adult (non-powered), but no extra charge for the second person. It’s only $5 more for a powered sealed site.
Driftaway on-site playground
⛺ If you want to spend as little as possible, bring along your tent. Stay at one of the above campsites or holiday parks and use the bus system, your own two feet or hitch around town. Creeksyde offers two tent spaces, but it’s first-come, first-serve. Try calling before heading there.
🏨 Motels, Hotels, BnBs and AirBnBs play a pivotal role in Queenstown tourism. The quantity of options is a bit overwhelming, but there are a few cheaper options to consider.
Stay in a Hostel for the cheapest rate: A bunk in a shared dorm is the super saver, but did you know most hostels offer private rooms with shared facilities at a much cheaper rate than motels and hotels? Check out the YHA, Nomads, Adventure Queenstown, The Flaming Kiwi Backpackers and Black Sheep to sleep in the heart of Queenstown. Each one has high-ratings, kitchen facilities and offer numerous amenities and activities.
Try a motel. Often outdated, motels tend to have competitive rates that won’t break the bank. Check out Lakeside Motel, Abba Court Motel, LyLo and Pinewood Lodge.
Mid-range hotels are affordable at certain times of the year. During holidays, the prices will increase, but they are worth checking out, like Holiday Inn Express Queenstown that includes a free, huge breakfast buffet that makes the slightly higher price worth it.
free activities to do in queenstown
from town
Hike! The best thing to do here is enjoy the views and there are plenty of them.
From town, check out Queenstown Hill, Tiki Trail, Ben Lomond, or follow the lake shore in either direction.
Take a look at these 12 family-friendly hikes in the region for more details on each trail.
Stroll around town, picnic at the lakefront, make friends with the local 🦆, window shop, listen to the local buskers and walk around the Queenstown Gardens.
Swim if you’re brave enough. Lake Wakatipu is frigid all year round, but on a hot summer day, it feels refreshing, almost cleansing thanks to its clarity. Walk over to the start of Sunshine Bay Track for some peace and quiet away from town. Just bring a thick towel or blanket for the rocky beach.
Sample free fudge at Remarkable Sweet Shop.
If you have your own frisbee, play a game of disc golf at Queenstown Gardens (or hire one for $6 and $3.50 for a map & scorecard).
BBQ at St Omar Park, located along the Lake Esplanade Road only a 10-minute walk from the town centre.
If you have wheels
Picnic at Lake Hayes and enjoy a leisurely stroll around the lake.
Search for gold in Arrowtown and check out the old gold mining establishment.
Drive to Glenorchy and enjoy the scenic road and the mountain paradise town.
Watch others take the leap of faith at Kawerau Bridge.
Hike up Bob’s Cove Peak, explore caves and a mining hut on Mt Crichton Track, walk the loop Sawpit Gully Track or head out to Moonlight Track (in Arthur’s Point) for a lesser-travelled path.
Spend a day at Moke Lake, swimming, lounging or walking around this peaceful lake spot.
Drive up Coronet Peak to enjoy expansive views over the region. Pack a lunch and park at the entrance to Skipper’s Canyon for a picturesque picnic on the bluff.
for more inspo on what to do, check out my favourite things to do in Queenstown
Cheap activities to do in Queenstown
from town
Play 18 holes of mini-golf ($15/adult, $10/child). The course is located across from the Skyline Gondola entrance
Chill out in an ice bar. Choose from three in central Queenstown and spend an hour hanging amongst ice while sipping cocktails or mocktails. Below Zero is the cheapest at $29 for entry + a cocktail (adults) and only $15 for entry + a mocktail (kids) with kids eight and under free.
Learn the history and local stories on the Spirit of Queenstown, a scenic boat tour costing $59/adult, $19/kid, free for four & under, for a 90-minute cruise. Or save your pennies and take the Queenstown ferry for $10 a ride with a Beecard or $14 without. Head over to Frankton (drop off at the Hilton) and enjoy the lakefront trail.
Hire a bike for around $60 per day ($40 for kids) from Queenstown Bike Hire and hit the cycle trails that wrap around the entire region. Head’s up, e-bikes cost double and from town, this rental spot is about a 15-minute walk.
Travel back in time at the Time Tripper, a unique underwater experience showcasing the history of Aotearoa and Lake Wakatipu, costing $15 per adult and $8 per child.
Would you love to go wine tasting in the famous Gibbston Valley? Do it cheaper by booking a spot on the Hop On, Hop Off Wine Tour Bus (includes brewery stops). Check the site for times and stops, paying $90 for a full-day ticket and $70 for an afternoon ticket. Choose your wineries with no time constraints or lengthy guided tour.
Budget food options in Queenstown
Kitchen at Driftaway Holiday Park
Seeing the menu prices as you peruse around town can be overwhelming. With most dishes costing $25 to $30, it’s not easy on the bank when you are trying to stick to a budget. The cheapest way to eat in Queenstown is by cooking your food. Many of the places I’ve listed include access to shared kitchens. Several accommodation providers include kitchens in their rooms. If yours does not, you can still cook on one of the free outdoor grills around town. Find them along Lake Whakatipu on Glenorchy Road and at Frankton Beach.
Grocery shops
If you have a car, head to Pak ‘n Save in Frankton to find the largest selection and the lowest prices. Countdown (same as Woolworths for you Aussies) and New World are nearby, but these tend to be more expensive.
If you don’t have a car, try Fresh Choice, a block from town or Raeward Fresh (boutique-style grocery). Otherwise, try the Four Square in the heart of town which offers a bit of everything and the Asian Mart across the street (they have the best frozen veggie dumplings)!
Cheap eateries/restaurants in Queenstown centre
On the boardwalk - find street food vendors along the lakefront on most days, from crepes to hot dogs, dumplings and fairy floss (cotton candy), there’s something for every palette.
More food trucks are dotted around town like Lord of the Fries (fully vegan fast food), Erik’s Fish & Chips and El Cordobes (Argentinean sandwiches).
Fill up on sushi at Sushi Box located in the Casino Mall.
Latino-food lovers should head to La Caribe Kitchen where you’ll find an array of Central and South American dishes. The vegan burrito (spicy hot) and a mandarin Jarrito are my go-to.
Many cafes offer counter food at a much more reasonable price than menu items. Check out Yonder, Bespoke and Vudu, all serving delicious coffee too.
Hell Pizza is easy to grab and enjoy at the beach, and they have great vegan options!
And the number one favourite in Queenstown is Fergburger. You’ll see the line before you see the crazed burger joint. While I don’t recommend wasting your time waiting for a burger, they are f*cking delicious. Get the tofu one if you’re vegan! Snap the iconic Fergburger and lake shot and enjoy. If you aren’t keen on the line, pop into Fergbaker for incredible baked goods, pies, and sandwiches. For the full experience, finish it all off with a Ferg Gelato, best flavours in town.
Parking
One of my least favourite things about Queenstown and the locals will agree is the lack of parking. With so much construction on, it’s a pain, but I do have some good budget options for you.
If you’re in a large campervan/RV, head to the Queenstown Library parking that has designated rows for large vehicles. It costs $2/hr and you can park for up to 10 hours. It also has plenty of car parking but does fill up around the school pick-up time (3pm) on weekdays when school is in session.
For free parking, drive over to Queenstown Gardens where you can park for up to four hours at a time.
Another free spot to park is along Lake Esplanade or at One Mile Car Park.
You can find free parking spots on the residential streets around town, but it may take a few laps
Other money-saving tips
If you’re coming for ski season, save on rentals by booking them from town. And make sure to pre-book shuttles to the mountain if you don’t have a vehicle (4WD + chains required). Also, bring your own food up the mountain to save on $$$.
*head’s up: parking fills up quickly so head to Coronet or Remarkables early
Browse the weekend farmers markets where food trucks and local artisans sell their crafts. Remarkables Market is on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm with live music, plenty of free parking and a playground/sandpit onsite. Every Sunday, Arrowtown sets up its farmers market on the Village Green from 10am to 2pm. Check the linked sites, each market closes during the winter months.
Plan a shoulder season trip! Summer and winter are the most expensive months, but QT is great all year long. Spring is known for its four seasons in a day and the worst time for wind, but seeing the mountains and countryside turn lush green makes it worth it. Otago’s Autumn is the best in the country (see a sneak peek here) turning all the foliage into hues of golds, reds and oranges.
For fitness folks, head to Hanley’s Farm Playground where an outdoor gym is set up with sprint lanes, weights and plenty of circuit training.
If you’re in a campervan and in need of a shower, drive to Queenstown Event Centre and pay $5. Pay a bit more for access to their gym, pool and big spa pool.
Don’t let the prices scare you! Come to Queenstown and do it your way, and you can experience the town and it’s scenic spots without flying through your savings!
Have I missed any great budget-saving tips for Queenstown? Share yours below and as always happy traveling!