Let me start by stating the obvious. Queenstown already has a gondola in the form of the Skyline Gondola that ascends from the town centre and affords spectacular views from its top station. \
\
This is a classic situation where gondolas work because they ascend a 170 metre steep slope to Bob’s Peak that would be very difficult by achieve other means, and separate willing visitors from $66 of their money to give them those spectacular views and get them back down again. While you can climb the Tiki Trail to the Gondola Top Complex, this is only recommended for the seriously fit.
As anyone who has been to Queenstown of late can attest, the congestion is real and the single biggest negative to what is otherwise a stunning year-round visitor destination. But the congestion is the product of New Zealand’s fly and drive tourism (and general transport) model. Most visitors head straight for the rental car and camper van counters at Queenstown Airport while those in the know head to the bus stop for the all-day, every day frequent bus into town that costs just $2 on a Bee Card (and eventually a nation-wide Motu Move card).
