2-Hour 4-Line Zipline Tour Queenstown

Bob's Peak and the gondola above Queenstown

Bob's Peak rises steeply behind Queenstown to around 790 metres above sea level, and the gondola that climbs its slope is one of the town's classic experiences. From the top you look straight down on the rooftops, the waterfront and the deep blue arms of Lake Wakatipu, with the Remarkables and Cecil Peak on the far side. This is where your zipline tour begins and ends, so the views come with the adventure.

The gondola ticket is not part of the tour, so plan to buy it separately and allow 40 minutes, or up to an hour in busy periods such as Christmas, New Year and school holidays, to get from the base terminal on Brecon Street to the summit. Many visitors make a half-day of it, adding the lookout and a meal at the top before or after their Queenstown zipline.

The tree-house check-in and tree-top platforms

Your guides meet you at the tree-house about 100 metres to the left of the upper gondola terminal. After harnesses, helmets and a clear safety briefing, the group heads into the forest, where eight aerial platforms are suspended among the trees like a string of small tree-houses. Each one is a pause point between lines, with room to watch the next person launch and to enjoy the view through the canopy.

At every platform the guides share light-hearted, informative stories on local history, myths and legends and the ecological principles behind building in the forest with minimal impact. Groups are kept to a maximum of 10 people, so there is time for questions, photos taken by the guides, and a relaxed pace that suits nervous first-timers as well as confident adventurers.

Four ziplines that build your confidence

The tour is designed to start low and slow. The first line is short and gentle, letting everyone get used to the harness and the feeling of the trolley on the cable. Each following line is progressively longer, higher and faster, until the final glide sends you flying above the treetops with the lake far below. Guides launch you at the start of each line and receive you at the end.

Once you feel comfortable, the guides show you fun tricks to try, such as riding upside down or hands-free. Children aged 6 and over can take part; those under about 30 kg may ride tandem with an adult, and there is a maximum weight of 125 kg. It is an ideal first zipline in New Zealand and one of the best things to do in Queenstown with kids.

Views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables

Beyond the thrill, the setting is the real star. From the lines and platforms you see across Lake Wakatipu to the jagged Remarkables, a mountain range that turns pink at sunset and white with snow in winter, and down to the town, the waterfront and Queenstown Bay. On clear days the light on the water is spectacular.

The tour runs in all seasons. Summer brings warm, long days and late afternoon departures with golden light, while winter offers crisp air and snowy peaks, but the summit is always cooler and windier than the town. The best time to visit Bob's Peak for photos is late afternoon, and an extra layer, a hat and gloves are recommended all year round.