Queenstown Tours & Vacations

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

If you're going to Queenstown from a different part of New Zealand, the quickest and easiest way to do it would be by taking a flight into Queenstown airport with daily flights from destinations such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Driving to Queenstown is also an option, as all major highways are clearly marked with directions and offer easy transportation into the town with a scenic view along the way.

Getting around Queenstown is relatively easy, with many different transportation options.

If you travel to Queenstown by car or want to hire one on your arrival, then getting around Queenstown is quick and efficient, with generous parking available in the town centre.

Queenstown also has an excellent public transportation system. The local bus network has routes to all major suburbs within the town.

The weather in Queenstown is very different across the four seasons, from cold and snowy winters to long and hot summers.

Some days in Queenstown can also feel like a mixture of a few seasons in one!

Sitting against the Southern Alps, summers in Queenstown can see temperatures between 20°C and 30°C, with winters dropping to 5°C.

Queenstown sees visitors at any time of the year despite these temperatures, with lots to do across the four seasons.

What to pack for Queenstown depends on what time of the year you're going in. Winters can be quite cold; rainproof jackets, insulated clothing, and thick jumpers and coats are recommended, as well as gloves, socks, and beanies.

Summer temperatures can be hot, so dresses, t-shirts, and shorts are acceptable. Remember to pack sunscreen and put it on before you go outside to protect yourself against the sun's UV rays.

It's also a good idea to bring sensible hiking boots or walking shoes as there are many trails in Queenstown you might want to explore.

Hiring a car at Queenstown Airport is relatively easy. There are nine car rental companies. The average cost of renting a car in Queenstown is roughly NZ$37 per day and varies depending on the type of car you rent and how long you need it.

For the months between April and September, New Zealand uses NZST (New Zealand Standard Time)

New Zealand observes daylight savings from October to March and switches to NZDT (New Zealand Daylight Time).

During NZST, New Zealand is 2 hours in front of the time in Australian cities such as Sydney and Melbourne and 19 hours in front of Los Angeles time.

We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.

Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.