Advice Required: Travel Hacks for Queenstown Travel during off-Peak Season

jinxnz on 29/08/2024 - 13:50
Last edited 29/08/2024 - 16:24

Planing a small family reunion In Queenstown over March period for one week after school starts. I'm looking for local knowledge / OP suggestions regarding:
- cheapest accommodation arrangements for 8 people
- memberships to buy before hand such as Skyline for luge (I currently have a Rotorua Skyline membership that will need to be renewed by then)
- whether Entertainment booklet provides any discounts that are worth it.
- BookMe / Grabone deals that locals find are useful.
- any attractions or experienced that are great to have and how to save cost on them through affiliate card (like AA or CSC memberships) within 3 hours drive of Queenstown

I know that there was a similar discussion a couple of years ago but it wasn't specific enough to make a plan of it and things have changed a lot in past couple of years.

I'm hoping that a "guide" can be produced at the end of this discussion so that other OPs who intend to visit can use it like a cheapies checklist for Queenstown.

General Discussion

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  • bang4dabuck on 06/09/2024 - 19:33
    +4

    I'm a bit late on this one. Our family of 4 just got back from 3 days in Queenstown last week.

    In typical 'Cheapie' style:
    - Jetstar 29th birthday flights - $110 return per person
    - Sudima hotel frankton - early bird discount, member discount (join for free). Nice modern hotel with 2 x double beds, ample parking, inside a full shopping centre with all the big shops.
    - AA membership - 20 percent of Thrifty rental car, Snap rentals seems to be another good option. Instead of paying for rental car insurance (which is actually just excess reduction) you can often buy travel insurance which will cover excess on a rental car- I went for AA travel insurance (10 percent discount for AA members).
    - Booked First Tables for dinner both nights. If you are new to first table, sign up for an account with promo code 'iamsmart' for a $5 discount, I understand there is also a referral credit if you refer a friend.

    Saved in many places, but also spent up in others. Queenstown is not cheap by NZ standards, but well worth it. So have fun.

  • Nzfade on 03/09/2024 - 09:21
    +3

    Also FirstTable is a great option for dining at multiple places in Queenstown / Wanaka. We booked in Jervois Steakhouse and stacked with the Amex gold offer paid $40 for a meal that wouldve costed us $280+ normally between 2 people.

    The Chef's Table was also very nice in Wanaka.

    Only caveat is that you the seats get snatched really quick so you need to be ready to book at 9 pm a week before your trip on the nights of your choice.

  • Legobo on 29/08/2024 - 23:22
    +1

    Bookme is really good for half price food and cheaper tourist activities

  • Sickman on 30/08/2024 - 07:22
    +1

    Queenstown Lakes area is not cheap, just expect to payjug prices for everything.
    Plenty of nice family walks in the area which are free.
    Arrowtown Chinese village is free.

  • ScoobyNZ on 30/08/2024 - 09:02
    +1

    While not cheap, the Skippers Canyon Jetboat Experience is better than the Shotover Experience. A bit more $ than the Shotover but they go further up river, and go for longer. The shuttle bus up the Canyon Rd is an experience in itself.

    This was told to me by one of the local shops, and I ended up also getting the Skippers Experience for the Shotover Price, which saved me $30. There are so many re-sellers, but looking at a map, it may have been The Helicopter Line on Shotover St

  • Happydays on 30/08/2024 - 09:18
    +1

    We had a family break in July, stayed at the motor camp in town, 11 of us. They have cabins/rooms that were very reasonable, not 5 star but comfortable, great location for town and parking included. Couple of other times we have stayed in Aurthus Point Swiss Belresort, again, comfortable and clean and away from the hustle of town. Accommodation in Qtown is very expensive and so is parking, there are some new hotels out at Frankton by the airport, so depends on what you want.
    Arrowtown is nice, gold panning, river walks/hikes, a visit to Ayrburn for food and drink is nearby too.
    Cromwell old town is interesting, Glenorchy lovely drive with walks on the way, dont know if its a kids thing though, depends on ages I suppose.

  • Baagin on 30/08/2024 - 12:14
    +1

    First table for discount meals, but typically max 4 people

  • gcnz on 30/08/2024 - 12:46
    +1

    Not sure about accommodation for 8, we've stayed at Blue Peaks as 3 and YHA Lakeside with a large school group when it was open but didn't pay for either. Just get somewhere with parking if you have a car. Frankton and Arrowtown can be cheaper but then you'll need to find a park (or 2?) when you go into Queenstown (or bus).

    Entertainment Membership. There's nothing amazing IMO, might be worth it if you plan to eat a few places covered. Here are some exmples we've used:
    The Exchange, Bella Cucina, Winnies 25% off.
    Balls and Bangles 50% off up to $10.
    Puzzling World 25% off maze and illusion combo up to 4 people (actually, we haven't used this, we don't bother with the maze so it's cheaper anyway).

    The best deal we've used in the area was 50% off the Earsnlaw trip with BBQ lunch as Otago locals. RealNZ run that promo sometimes, not sure where you are all from though.

    The Lavender Farm in Wanaka is worth a visit with young kids. Free for under 5s. We went in early April this year so it was only $7 per adult, $3.50 for our 5 year old and free for the 2 year old. $15 per adult in March so maybe 1 adult could take the kids around to see the animals while the others have some tea to save some money.

    Deer Park Heights might also be good for you, $55 per vehicle up to 8 seats. It's a great spot.

    There are lots of great playgrounds around the area, especially the lake front one. Can easily go from there for a stroll around the nice gardens.
    Highlands is fun, cheap if you just get a drink at the cafe and watch cars. The Go Karts are great, cheaper on BookMe. Also only $5 for the museum on BookMe, lots of cars to look at and a track with balance bikes.
    Monte Christo Winery by Clyde was great with our kids, there is a really cool play area.

    BookMe is definitely worth checking. Good for Highlands. We've also used it for a Stevenson Island cruise in Wanaka. Time Tripper for $7 is ok. I haven't seen a Gondola (and Luge) deal for a while.

    • MYB on 02/09/2024 - 16:23
      +1

      Hey randomly stumbled upon this. Did you stay at Blue peaks apartments? I have booked accommodation there with 2 kids (1 year old and 3 year old).
      How did you find it?

      Planning on doing the Earnslaw but not an Otago local (although I did high school and uni in Dunedin) - I assume you have to show proof of address when booking Earnslaw? If not any other recommendation on how to source discounted tickets here?

      Deer Park Heights look good - might consider going there thanks!

      • gcnz on 03/09/2024 - 08:51
        +2

        Hi, we've stayed at Blue Peaks apartments a few times, my inlaws own one, they're nice and a good base. The hill gets a bit annoying but it's quick and easy to get down to town or the lake front via tracks off Coronation Dr or Park St. Yeah when RealNZ runs the locals deal you do need to show proof of an Otago address. Not sure about other discounts, sometimes it's discounted on BookMe but not currently and it's not in the Entertainment 'book'.

        • MYB on 06/09/2024 - 10:48

          Hey any thoughts on availability of Earnslaw? I want to book something in to avoid missing out, but also concerned about weather and whether it is better to just wait till we are there and buy something on the spot?

          • Sickman on 07/09/2024 - 08:07
            +1

            @MYB: I always book last minute

          • gcnz on 09/09/2024 - 09:20
            +1

            @MYB: Not sure, it's a big boat but also seems popular, including with groups. If you're wanting the lunch or dinner option you could miss out if you're unlucky.

  • MYB on 03/09/2024 - 09:16
    +1

    Yeah i think the lake front via tracks off Coronation looks like a shortcut.
    Thanks. I just read that there's a bit of stairs up and down the property and to the garage (assume no elevator)

    Yeah can't find any discounts on bookme on the Earnslaw.

  • MYB on 03/09/2024 - 13:35
    +1

    Thanks for the added tips. Aware of first table, so will keep on eye out. Only issue with first table is the strict times, always a bit harder with kids. And a lot of restaurants now make you order 1 drink, making it less attractive. Still a pretty good deal though otherwise.

    I also have an accor plus membership and i see jervois steak house being at sofitel now. But i imagine its not a restaurant that allows 50% off as its probably not run by the Accor group.

  • MYB on 07/09/2024 - 13:30
    +1

    Thanks for sharing :) and sounds like you guys had fun! (And saved a bit too in true cheapie style)
    Yup I've done most of the things above.
    Using amex free flights for 2 of us.
    Booking.com 10% cash back at shopback for accommodation. Needed a 2 bedroom apartment though with 2 kids under 4, so that was a bit pricier.
    Booked 1 first table already and will use entertainment book for other discounts.
    Yup have used travel insurance instead to cover car excess. I found Tower the cheapest at $49 with zero excess for 4 nights trip.

    Yeah queenstown is def not cheap.

    Did it rain while you were there? Looks like it might rain a lot next week. Any good indoor activities?

  • CheapAzChips on 29/08/2024 - 14:07

    How long are you going for? Are you interested in travel outside of Queenstown for activities and/or accommodation, and if so how far?

    • jinxnz on 29/08/2024 - 14:26

      Thanks for that. Just added that info in the main post - 1 week holiday, willing to travel about 3 hours in car, but have 3 little children travelling with us.

      • CheapAzChips on 29/08/2024 - 15:11
        +1

        One final thing, you don't say whether you are hiring a car or driving there, but we had exceptional service from Tots on Tour for car seat hire: https://www.totsontour.co.nz/

        If you had older kids I'd recommend Invercargill, a surprisingly nice city with quite a lot to do in and around it. But with smaller kids you might be better staying close. March is a good time of year, it will be nice and quiet I think, but unfortunately most of the fruit picking in surrounding areas will have closed down (always a winner with kids, young and old).

        Wanaka is a nice day trip (kids will love Puzzling World), maybe go via SH6 to Cromwell, stopping off at th AJ Hackett / Kawerau Gorge suspension bridge and Goldfields along the way, then come back via Cardrona.

        I don't really have much past that unfortunately. Hopefully someone else with more experience can contribute.

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