Frequently Asked Questions

If there's a question that we haven't answered please contact us or email us at info@everythingqueenstown.com and we'll be sure to get back to you promptly with an informed response. If we don't know the answer then we'll be sure to at least make our email entertaining!

Our beautiful Country

1. How safe is New Zealand?
2. How hot does it get in the Summer?
3. What time is it in New Zealand?
4. What size is New Zealand?
5. What is the population of New Zealand?
6. What is the population of Queenstown?

Visiting New Zealand

1. Do I need a passport or visa to enter New Zealand?
2. What about Driving in New Zealand?
3. Will my electrical appliances work?
4. Are there any banks?
5. Where are the foreign exchange offices?
6. How much is a cup of coffee / breakfast / dinner?
7. What is the currency?
8. Is the water safe to drink?
9. What is the minimum drinking age?
10. Is there any departure tax when leaving Queenstown?
11. Are there any Supermarkets?

Visiting Queenstown

1. What type of weather can I expect?

   Autumn (1 March to 30 May)
   Temperatures vary between mid C10 degrees to the mid C20 degrees so pack a couple of t-shirts as well as some warm layers. Leaves normally begin to change colour late March, Arrowtown (20 mins drive from Queenstown) is a fantastic place to see the Autumn colours, the oranges and reds of the surrounding trees are almost too rich in colour to believe.

   Spring (1 September to 30 November)
   Temperatures vary between C8 degrees to C20 degrees. The weather is very unpredictable in Spring expect bright sunshine, with rain, cloudy spells and possibly the odd snow shower!! Sounds crazy but if you want to see all the different types of weather you can expect in Queenstown during a year - visit in Spring. While this weather is amazing to see, it can often mean scenic flights and other weather dependent activities are cancelled due to the ever changing weather pattern. We recommend you bring winter and summer clothes and if possible allow a couple of days for the weather dependent activities so that you can re-schedule cancelled trips. (back to top)

   Summer (1 December to 28 February)
   Temperatures usually stay around the C20 degrees to C30 degrees. At latitude 45 deg south, we have long summer days; sunrise can be as early as 5am and sunset at around 10pm. Our clear, unpolluted atmosphere and relatively low latitudes produce sunlight stronger than much of Europe or North America, as a result people generally burn quicker than at home, so be prepared to wear hats and sun block if you plan to be out in the sun for more than 15-20 minutes. Most people carry sunfactor 30+ as a minimum sunblock cream.

   Winter (1 June to 31 August)
   Temperatures rarely get higher than C7 or C8 degrees and can often fall well below zero. The air temperature is cold but the skies are often crystal clear and great for Milford flights and scenic helicopter flights. Dress warmly, lots of layers. Fleeces and thick puffer jackets are the popular choice of clothing for winter. The ski fields can open as early as the first week in June (Coronet Peak ski field). However some years due to the lack of snow they may postpone the opening for a week or 2 until there is enough snow. This year there has been a lot of improvements to the ski fields, new chair lifts, new additions to the terrain parks and lots of new, bigger and better snow making machines. So even if there isn't snow as long as the temperatures a low enough,  they have the power to make snow! The season usually runs through till the second half of October.

2. How much does it cost to stay in Queenstown?
3. Is there much accommodation / should I book in advance?
4. Are there any good restaurants?
5. Is there much nightlife?
6. Do shops / activities close at the weekends?
7. What is the shopping like?
8. Are there any internet cafe's?
9. What clothes should I take?
10. When is the best time to visit Queenstown?
11. When is the ski season?
12. Is there any public transport? Do I need to hire a car?
13. How far away is the airport?
14. Are there many petrol stations?
15. Do the activities operate all year round?

Bookings

1. Why should I book before I arrive in Queenstown?
2. Once I have received my E-ticket will my trip definitely go ahead?
3. What happens if its bad weather?
4. Is there a booking fee or any hidden costs?
5. Is it cheaper if I book direct?
6. Can I change my booking?
7. Can I cancel my booking?
8. What happens if I lose my ticket?
9. How do I get a refund?