Travel Info
Queenstown
Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s top visitor destinations and if you come to the region you’ll understand why. The picturesque town is nestled on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by magnificent mountain ranges.
The lake and mountain landscape make it suited to all kinds of adventure, and in November the longer spring days provide lots of daylight hours to explore. Adrenalin activities such as bungy jumping, sky diving, canyon swinging, jet boating, horse trekking and river rafting are there to temps the adventurous, but if hardcore adventure isn't your thing, there are plenty of mellow options available.
Queenstown is home to several internationally renowned golf courses, and you can explore parts of the New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty Queenstown Marathon course and beyond by foot or bike on the Queenstown Trail, and surrounding walking and hiking tracks for some active recovery.
Sightseeing tours can immerse you in the back country or Lord of the Rings scenery, or indulge yourself with spa treatments, boutique shopping and excellent food and wine across the region.
Twenty minutes from Queenstown, near the Marathon start line, Arrowtown’s gold-mining history is alive and well alongside a vibrant café, bar and restaurant scene. Visit the Lakes District Museum or go gold panning on the Arrow River. Forty minutes from Queenstown at the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu is rural Glenorchy and Paradise Valley, with scenic braided rivers and sheer mountains to take in.
Find out more about the stunning Queenstown region here.
Getting there
Air New Zealand operate an extensive flight network into Queenstown enabling race participants and supporters to spend less time travelling and more time enjoying the experience in this iconic part of the world. Queenstown Airport welcomes frequent Air New Zealand services from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane as well as direct flights from a number of domestic destinations including Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Getting Around
ORBUS is the public bus system connecting the Queenstown airport, Town centre, Frankton, Kelvin Heights, Five Mile shopping area, Jack’s Point, Hanley’s Farm, Arrowtown, Shotover country, Lake Hayes, Fernhill, and Sunshine Bay.
Bus services connecting you with the Number 1 bus line depart Queenstown Airport every 30 minutes from 06.05 am to 12.10 am and Number 2,3,4 and 5. To access the whole Wakatipu Basin, the Frankton bus hub connects all bus lines and is a short walk from both Queenstown Airport and the Events Centre Athlete Check-In location. Follow our signs to travel on foot to these closely located destinations.
Many accommodation providers are conveniently located on the Number 1 bus service. The Number 1 bus runs via Queenstown Airport and the Frankton bus hub, making taking the bus a great option during Marathon weekend. To find your nearest stop, timetable and to plan your journey, click here. You can also download Transit to plan your travel and get real-time bus information.
ORBUS accepts cash and payment by Bee Card. The Bee Card reduces the cost of one-way journeys to only $1 per trip, no matter where you are going in Queenstown. Bee Cards can be purchased and topped up on the bus. The Bee Card costs $5 with a minimum $5 top-up. Look out for the travel ambassadors to help you on the day. Buy a Bee Card online here.
Face coverings for example masks are not mandatory on public transport across New Zealand.
For more information, go to https://www.orc.govt.nz/public-transport/queenstown-buses-and-ferries.
Accommodation
Queenstown has accommodation for every taste and budget - from luxury retreats, romantic cottages and elegant boutique hotels to B&B's, farmstays and homestays. Superior motels, urban apartments, self-contained cottages and holiday parks provide independence and plenty of space for families and groups.
There will be transport running from Queenstown Memorial Centre and car parking at the start lines so no matter where you chose to stay, you’ll be in for a great time.
Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park
With ultra-modern rooms and a spacious open lobby - Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park is one of the area's newest hotels and offers impressive mountain views from most rooms. It's location within the popular Remarkables Park area puts you within easy distance to travel services and iconic Queenstown attractions, as well as being just minutes away from Queenstown Airport. Be sure to try the daily specials available at Giants restaurant & bar on the ground floor.
Find out more - https://queenstownremarkables.holidayinn.com/
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Queenstown
Make us your basecamp and stay at Queenstown’s newest downtown hotel only 5 minutes walk from all the bars, restaurants, shopping and activities. We are ideally located 2 minutes walk from the Number 1 bus line making travel easy during Marathon weekend. We keep it simple and smart by providing our guests with more where it matters most, with fast check-in, free Express Start Buffet Breakfast included, free high-speed uncapped Wi-Fi, comfy beds and a choice of pillows in your room and everything else needed for a great stay within arm’s reach. The hotel features 227 rooms including Standard Queens, King Splits, Queen Twins through to One and Two Bedroom spacious suites with king size beds, separate lounge with double sofa and kitchenettes, perfect for a group of friends to spread out. With a cool and modern alpine vibe, relax in our Great Room by our roaring fireplaces with a glass of Central Otago wine or local craft tap beer, in our restaurant enjoying classics prepared by our hotel chefs, or in our outdoor terrace watching the sunset by the inviting fire pit - a perfect place for pre/post-race drinks.
Contact Reservations on res.zqnqt@proinvesthotels.com and to secure your booking now!
Crowne Plaza Queenstown
Welcome to Crowne Plaza Queenstown, where you will find yourself reconnecting with powerful landscapes and inspiring mountain & lake views. Our Queenstown accommodation is on a privileged site, just opposite the historic Steamer Wharf and prime lakeside eating, drinking and entertainment destinations. Travel easy with Orbus, with a Number 1 bus stop located outside. Here you can experience the pleasure of being right in the heart of town for the Queenstown Marathon. Contact Reservations on crowneplaza.queenstown@ihg.com to secure your booking now!
Queenstown Accommodation | Crowne Plaza Queenstown Hotel
In partnership with Booking.com, New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty Queenstown Marathon can help you find the best accommodation deals. Find your accommodation here.
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Queenstown
Wanaka
Arrowtown
Lake Wanaka
Perhaps New Zealand’s best-kept secret and just 45mins over the Crown Range from Queenstown, the Lake Wanaka region is a wonderland of epic adventures.
An absolute must-do for those looking to get off the beaten track, it’s the place Kiwi’s come to holiday. And with four distinct seasons, each different from the last, it is every travellers dream destination – all year round.
