Major Events and Festivals
Arrowtown Autumn Festival
Autumn is one of the most picturesque times to travel on Nelson to Queenstown flights as the region comes alive with vibrant foliage. The Arrowtown Autumn Festival is held in late April each year in one of Otago’s most quaint historic villages. Festivities include a parade, live music, various forms of street entertainment, and a market stalls selling food and local crafts. Another highlight to the festival is the annual art exhibition held at the Lakes District Museum & Art Gallery that showcases both established and up-and-coming artists from across the country.
Queenstown Winter Festival
The Queenstown Winter Festival takes over the city and surrounding area for a few days each winter. Dozens of events pop up around Queenstown, in the nearby mountains, and out on Lake Wakatipu. Watch fireworks, live music, comedy shows, and some extreme winter sports. You could even get involved in some of the events like the Undy 500 obstacle course and a swimming race in the icey-cold lake. Have a look at cheap flights from Nelson to Queenstown in late June if you’d like to join in on the fun.
Winter Games NZ
Are you a fan of skiing and snowboarding? If yes, you’ll love visiting the ski resorts around Queenstown for the annual Winter Games NZ. It’s the largest snow sport event in the Southern Hemisphere and attracts some of the world’s best winter sport athletes. Event attendees can watch races in freestyle skiing, alpine skiing, snowboarding, curling, and cross-country skiing. There’s plenty of fun to enjoy in between the sporting events too like fireworks and live music. Fly from Nelson to Queenstown over the two weeks between late August and early September to attend the Winter Games.
Landmarks and Monuments You Can’t Miss
Bob’s Peak
Bob’s Peak is part of Bob Lomond mountain and towers over the city. There are a couple ways to reach Bob’s Peak – take a scenic ride on the Skyline Gondola or trek the 2.1-kilometre (1.3-mile) Tiki Trail. At the summit, you’ll be treated to a panoramic view over central Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkables mountain range. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can attempt the Ben Lomond track that begins at Bob’s Peak. It’s a challenging hike that takes about six to eight hours and rewards hikers with stunning views along the way.
Skippers Canyon
Skippers Canyon is located on the Shotover River – a must-visit landmark for many travellers holidaying on Nelson to Queenstown flights. The canyon stretches for 22 kilometres (13.7 miles) and is steeped in gold mining history. One of the ways to see it is on Skippers Canyon Road – a narrow road built into the cliffside. It has excellent views over the canyon and Shotover River and crosses the iconic Skippers Bridge. If you’re feeling adventurous, see Skippers Canyon from the water on a jet boat ride or whitewater rafting excursion.
Milford Sound
If you have one or two free days during your holiday, consider a side trip to picture-perfect Milford Sound. It’s located in Fiordland National Park about four hours from central Queenstown. The fiord – not actually a sound as you’d expect – is surrounded by rugged cliffs, unspoilt rainforest, and dramatic waterfalls. The best way to take in Milford Sound is out on the water, either on a scenic cruise or kayaking tour. You could make the journey out to Milford Sound on your own or join one of the full-day tours departing from Queenstown.
The Cost of Visiting
In addition to your cheap flights from Nelson to Queenstown, you can also reserve a hotel room and hire a car with Webjet. Most hotels fall in the range of $150 to $200 NZD per night. Rental cars are available to pick up from Queenstown Airport and start at rates of about $75 NZD per day.
There’s also public transport available to visitors in Queenstown. Single-ride bus tickets cost $4 NZD, but if you’ll be catching transport multiple times, you’ll save money with a Bee transport card. The card costs $5 NZD and entitles riders to half-price fares.
The Skyline Gondola on Bob’s Peak is one of the most popular attractions to visit while holidaying on Nelson to Queenstown flights. Gondola-only tickets cost $44 NZD for adults and $26 NZD for children. Get an extra thrill by riding the Skyline Luge – a gondola ride plus two luge rides costs $61 NZD for adults and $43 NZD for kids.
Queenstown is an adventure-lover’s paradise that’s teeming with extreme sports and outdoors activities. The AJ Hackett Bungy – the tallest bungy in NZ – costs $220 NZD. A ride on the Shotover Canyon Swing is $199 NZD solo and $358 NZD tandem. Skiing is a must-do if you fly from Nelson to Queenstown in winter. A daylong lift pass at Coronet Peak costs $139 NZD, and ski rental is an additional $50 NZD.
FAQ
Are there direct flights from Nelson to Queenstown?
It’s not currently possible to fly from Nelson to Queenstown directly. Each of the flight options includes a stopover or two along the way.
What airlines fly to Queenstown NZ?
Air New Zealand is the go-to airline when flying to Queenstown. You can fly from Nelson with a stopover in Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch.
How far is Queenstown from Nelson?
Queenstown and Nelson are at opposite ends of the South Island with about 845 kilometres (525 miles) between them.
