Travel Information

With this useful travel information in hand, you're ready to start planning a fun and safe holiday in Queenstown. For detailed travel advice or booking inquiries, we recommend contacting the friendly team at the Queenstown i-SITE visitor centre.

Visa information

Before you get to Queenstown you need to be prepared with a valid passport and the appropriate visa requirements for immigration. You do not need a visa to visit New Zealand if you are:

• A New Zealand or Australian citizen or resident,

• A UK citizen and/or passport holder (you can stay up to six months), or

• A citizen of a country that has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand (you can stay up to three months).

If you are applying for a New Zealand visa or Working Holiday visa there may be health requirements and information that you need to provide to get your visa. Please visit the Immigration New Zealand site to check your requirements and eligibility.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance covers an agreed-upon set of circumstances as outlined in the insurance contract. Many travel insurers will not cover accidents that occur under certain circumstances, please take the time to understand and select the correct travel insurance policy before embarking on your trip.

Currency, banks and money exchange

The official currency of New Zealand is the New Zealand dollar and there are many places to exchange foreign currency in Queenstown. Travelex is open 7 days a week, 9:00am to 4:00pm and international credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs (automatic teller machines) are widely available in Queenstown and Arrowtown.

Internet, phone and post

Free WiFi hotspots are readily available at local cafes and businesses, as well as at the Queenstown, Frankton and Arrowtown libraries.

If you want to call or write home visit NZ Post's Queenstown Box Lobby at 43 Ballarat Street.  The Queenstown Box Lobby is open Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4:00pm. There is a full national and international postal and courier service available.

If you want to phone home instead, and need assistance, the National Telephone Directory Assistance numbers are as follows; for New Zealand Telephone Numbers call 018; for International Telephone Numbers call 0172.  You can also buy pre-paid calling cards from any local convenience store.

Emergency services in Queenstown

It’s important to remember to pack any medication that you require and ensure you have enough packed for the duration of your stay.

If you should require a doctor once you are in Queenstown, or are in an emergency, there are some important numbers to know. The New Zealand Emergency Services of Ambulance, Fire and Police can all be reached by dialling 111 from any public or private telephone or mobile phone in New Zealand.

There are several medical centres in Queenstown and Arrowtown:

Queenstown Medical Centre
9 Isle Street, Queenstown
Phone +64 3 441-0500

Queenstown Medical Centre, Frankton
Remarkables Park
Phone +64 3 441-0500

Arrowtown Surgery
Berkshire Street, Arrowtown
Phone +64 3 442-1215

Wakatipu Medical Centre
11 McBride Street, Frankton
Phone +64 3 442 2288

For emergencies
The Lakes District Hospital
20 Douglas Street, Frankton
Phone +64 3 441-0015

To report an incident
Queenstown Police
11 Camp Street, town centre
Phone +64 3 441 1600

Travelling with small children?

Tots on Tour provide baby hire equipment from car restraints to prams, cots, high chairs, toys and more for families visiting Queenstown. They can liaise directly with your rental car company to deliver and set up car seats before you arrive, and also provide babysitting and nanny services.

Public holidays in Queenstown

Twelve public holidays in New Zealand are observed and these are listed below. It is common for restaurants and hospitality outlets to add a surcharge of 12-15% on public holidays. This information is usually present in their menus or on signs at the counter or front door, but don't hesitate to ask.

Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day and Christmas Day have specific trading laws and some services and products, including the sale of alcohol, may be limited or unavailable.

New Zealand and Central Otago's public holidays for 2024 are:

• New Year’s Day - Monday 1 January
• Day after New Year’s Day - Monday 2 January
• Waitangi Day - Tuesday 6 February
• Otago Anniversary Day - Monday 25 March
• Good Friday - Friday 29 March
• Easter Monday - Monday 1 April
• Anzac Day - Thursday 25 April
• King’s Birthday - Monday 3 June
• Matariki - Friday 28 June
• Labour Day - Monday 28 October
• Christmas Day - Wednesday 25 December
• Boxing Day - Thursday 26 December