Located on New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown is a resort town with a modest population of 16,000 people. First founded by the Mri, European settlement didn’t occur until the early 1860s. This was because two people found gold in the Arrow River, encouraging the arrival of more Europeans.
Named Tuna, or ‘shallow bay,’ by the Mri people, Queenstown is flanked by incredible natural beauty. Including the shores of Lake Wakatipu and the nearby mountains like Cecil Peak, Walter Peak, and The Remarkables. With such proximity to beautiful nature like these, Queenstown is a sought after tourism destination.
Queenstown lays claim to more than 220 adventure activities for tourists to enjoy. Hit the mountain for a day of biking, climbing, or skiing. Or, head down to the lake to spend a day of boating, jet skiing, or swimming in the water. But, before you go, continue reading to find out where to store your belongings while you are away.
Airports
The Queenstown area is primarily served by the Queenstown International Airport. This airport offers international and domestic flights.
Queenstown International Airport
Only 8 kilometres (5.0 miles) from Queenstown’s central business district, Queenstown International Airport transports more than 2.25 million passengers yearly. Queenstown International is the fourth busiest airport in New Zealand, consisting of a single floor terminal building with nine gates serving two active runways.
Inside the airport, travellers can grab a bite of freshly prepared seafood at Hikari Sushi or stop in at one of three cafes for drinks on the go. The Queensland Airport also features eight stores, including a Travelex kiosk for foreign currency exchange and an Aelia Duty-Free shopping centre.
Yes, The Queenstown International Airport offers luggage storage services via self-service lockers outside the terminal, by the check-in area. Lockers can be hired in 12-hour increments and only take payment via debit or credit card. If the locker bank is full, the Airport invites guests to visit the Airport Information Desk to store items instead. Lockers are available in a range of sizes and start from $7 for 12 hours.
Small lockers – $7 for 12 hours
Medium lockers – $10 for 12 hours
Large lockers – $15 for 12 hours
Jumbo lockers – $20 for 12 hours
Bus Stations
Queenstown offers multiple bus lines for public transport with regular daily routes to and from the city. Popular destinations via bus route from Queenstown are Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, and Wanaka. Bus routes from Queenstown also connect the city’s central business district with Queenstown’s surrounding suburbs.
Queenstown Bus Station
Sitting on the corner of Camp Street and Shotover Street in the O’Connells Shopping Centre, Queenstown Bus Station is the main bus interchange in the city. The station offers free shuttle services to historic Arrowtown from Thursday to Sunday, in addition to its regularly scheduled $2 fare routes.
Since Queenstown is famous for its status as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World,’ visitors can also take advantage of the many free shuttle services available in the town centre to and from different attractions. Are you planning on staying in Queenstown? If so, you may also be eligible for free shuttle services through your accommodation; just check in with the front desk staff for more information. Are there lockers at Queenstown Bus Stations?
Although the Bus Station itself does not offer baggage storage, the greater O’Connells Shopping Centre provides visitors with storage via Smarte Carte. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Smarte Carte luggage storage facility contains small and large-sized lockers to accommodate any size of luggage, from carry-ons and backpacks to store oversized items like snowboards and skis.
You’ll find the closest baggage storage to the bus station at the local shopping centre. Located at, 30 Camp Street, O’Connells Shopping Centre, on the first floor. Lockers cost:
Small – $7 for 12 hours
Medium – $10 for 12 hours
Large – $15 for 12 hours
Jumbo – $20 for 12 hours
Trails
One of Queenstown’s most significant tourist draws is Queenstown’s Trail System. Linking the towns of Arrowtown, Gibbston, Jack’s Point, and Queenstown, the trail extends an impressive 110 kilometres (68 miles).
Queenstown Trail
The Queenstown Trail consists of seven unique routes, and multiple side trails, that take travellers alongside Queenstown’s sparkling lakes and winding rivers. Open year-round, the trail makes use of three historic bridges in addition to five purpose-built bridges and a tunnel, all of which make for impressive photos.
Suitable for bike riding and walking, the Queenstown Trail is designed with expertise inclusivity in mind, with a variety of easy to rugged terrain to navigate, depending on your preference. While it takes a total of four days to complete the entire length of the trail, there are heaps of stop-off points along the way and shorter path options that visitors can also travel. All you have to do is decide how long you’d like to be out and about.
Because the Queenstown Trail is so extensive, there are several options along the route where anyone using the trail can store their luggage. Perhaps one of the most popular luggage storage stops along the trail is the Info & Track Office on Shotover Street in Queenstown. Info & Track provides baggage storage from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and charges per item, per day. Their address is 37 Shotover street and you can store bags for $3 per day and $5 overnight.
Stadiums
Queenstown isn’t just for athletes, though; it’s for fans, too. Home to the Queenstown Events Centre and the Queenstown Stadium, there’s always an event to see or a game to catch in the adventure capital.
Queenstown Events Centre
Initially opened in 1997, the Queenstown Events Centre is also known colloquially as John Davies Oval and Davies Park. A massive multi-purpose sporting complex and stadium, the Events Centre is often considered one of the most brilliant venues in the world for international cricket, in no small part due to the spectacular views afforded by the stadium’s location.
With a remarkable capacity of up to 19,000 spectators, the Queenstown Events Centre is the largest venue for events and games in the entire district of Queenstown. And, in addition to hosting all manner of sporting matches and live performances, the Events Centre also offers activities and sports clubs for the general public to participate in like, swimming, golf, tennis, netball, indoor rock climbing, and more.
Currently, the Queenstown Events Centre does not offer any luggage or baggage storage services to visitors. However, you may be able to leave your items with your lodging accommodations; just be sure to ask the staff at the front desk before leaving for the day.
Centennial Park
Presently named the Whitestone Contracting Stadium for sponsorship reasons, the Centennial Park, or Wakatipu Centennial Stadium is located in Oamaru. Adjacent to the Centennial Park sports fields, the stadium is situated on Taward Street in the community of Waitaki.
The Centennial Park serves as the home ground for the North Otago district cricket team, who often play home matches and host local club matches at the oval. Occasionally, Dunedin’s professional rugby union team also use the park to hold pre-season matches and games. Are there lockers at Centennial Park?
Unfortunately, the Whitestone Contracting Stadium does not offer luggage storage services for patrons at the moment. For visitors to the stadium arriving by bus, though, you may be able to leave your baggage at the O’Connell’s Shopping Centre storage facilities provided by Smarte Carte.
Tourist Attractions
Last but certainly not least, let’s take a deep dive into the many tourist attractions worth checking out in Queenstown. As ‘The Adventure Capital of the World,’ Queenstown is home to all manner of historic, cultural, and natural points of interest.
Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge
Located between Gibbston and the beginning of Crown Range Road, The Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge is a must-see destination for all fans of bungey. The AJ Hackett Bungy Company primarily utilizes the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge as a commercial bungy jumping site, but it also forms a part of the previously mentioned Queenstown Trail.
The world’s first-ever commercial site for bungy jumping, The Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, now offers zip lining, two giant swings, and the world’s largest human catapult. Truly a haven for thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies alike, The Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge provides visitors with experiences you can’t find anywhere else on the globe.
While there are no luggage storage facilities on-site at The Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, anyone visiting the bridge can still safely store luggage before arriving. Discover Queenstown is located at 38 Ballarat Street in the Queenstown central business district. Open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Discover Queenstown charges per bag, per 4 hour period.
Lockers cost:
$5 per bag, up to 4 hours
$10 per bag, up to 8 hours
Skyline Queenstown
A favourite of locals and tourists, Skyline Queenstown lets you “choose your own adventure” for the day. Situated atop the prominent hill known as Bob’s Peak on the Ben Lomond mountain slopes, Skyline Queenstown comes from humble beginnings in 1965 as a touring company run out of a chalet.
Skyline Queenstown offers visitors a view of the Southern Island you simply can’t get anywhere else. Start the day with a relaxing gondola ride up the mountain, drinking in the region’s scenic beauty. After a day of hiking and exploring on the mountain, stop in at Skyline’s restaurant and bar for a meal or grab a quick bite from the cafe or gift shop. Then, take the fast track down the mountain on the 1,600 metres (5,200 feet) luge track to the base station to round out the evening.
Although there are no luggage storage options available on location at Skyline Queenstown, the company does work closely with the Info & Track Office in Queenstown. The Info & Track Office, located on Shotover Street, offers luggage storage for a nominal fee from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Located at 37 Shotover Street storage costs:
$3 per bag for day storage
$5 per bag for overnight storage
Kiwi Birdlife Park
An extensive wildlife sanctuary spanning 5 acres of gorgeous gardens, the Kiwi Birdlife Park is home to more than 20 unique species of wildlife native to New Zealand. The park is family run and 100% funded by visitor donations, specializing in conservation efforts, wildlife rehabilitation, and its Breed for Release programs for four different animal species.
Upon entering the Kiwi Birdlife Park on Upper Brecon Street, visitors must traverse the entrance tunnel to reach the reception desk. Here, visitors can purchase tickets and receive a copy of the self-guided audio tour and notated map. And, once you’ve met all the residents of the Kiwi Birdlife Park, stop in at the Honey Bee Centre to try some newly harvested honey made right at the park!
Unfortunately, the Kiwi Birdlife Park does not currently provide any luggage storage services at the facility for guests.
The Remarkables
Known as Kawarau by the Mri, the Remarkables is a mountain range that rises from north to south on the southeastern shore of Lake Wakatipu. The Remarkables also contains a 220 hectares (more than 540 acres) skifield. During the winter months, is used for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.
The standard season in the mountains typically lasts from the second week of June until the first week of October. During this time it sees an average annual snowfall of 3.67 metres (more than 12 feet). Suitable for winter sports fans of any age and expertise, there’s nothing quite like a day on the slopes of the Remarkables.
Are you thinking about spending a day on the mountainside and looking for a place to stow your gear? No worries, as both resorts on the Remarkables offer safe luggage storage while you’re away. Head into the downstairs of the base building to use the self-service locker bank, payable by credit card or EFTPOS.
Located at the base of the building lockers cost:
Small Locker – $10 for single-day use
Medium Locker – $15 for single-day use
Large Locker – $20 for single-day use