Skyline Queenstown facts for kids
.jpg)
Skyline Queenstown is a super fun place to visit in Queenstown, New Zealand! It's a popular spot for tourists. You can ride a special cable car called a gondola up a mountain. At the top, there's a restaurant and a thrilling luge ride to zoom back down.
Contents
The Story of Skyline Queenstown
How it all Started
Imagine a really steep hill above Queenstown called Bob's Peak. People loved the view from there, but it was hard to get to. In 1961, a bus owner named Ian Hamilton built a road up the hill. This made it easier for tourists to see the amazing sights.
After Ian Hamilton passed away, Jon Dumble and his partners took over. They built a small lodge, called a chalet, on Bob's Peak. It opened in January 1964.
Building the Gondola
Soon, people wanted an even easier way to reach the top. In 1965, plans were approved to build a gondola. A new company, Skyline Enterprises, was started to build it. The gondola officially opened on November 17, 1967. It was a big day for Queenstown!
Adding More Fun Activities
Years later, in 1998, a cool new ride was added: the luge! It was inspired by a similar track in Rotorua, New Zealand. Since 2011, the gondola has also been able to carry mountain bikes up the hill. This means bikers can enjoy awesome trails from the top.
What to Do at Skyline Queenstown
Exploring the Base and Top
The main building for Skyline Queenstown is at the bottom of Ben Lomond mountain. It's about 450 meters (1,476 feet) above Lake Wakatipu. From here, you can start your adventure!
At the top, there's a big complex with lots to do. You can find a restaurant, a cafe, and a gift shop. There are also different activities like the gondola, luge, and mountain biking trails. You can even go hiking from the top.
Riding the Queenstown Gondola
The gondola is like a glass box that takes you high up the mountain. It gives you amazing views as you go! From the top, you can see all of Queenstown. You'll also spot the beautiful Lake Wakatipu and several mountains. These include Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter Peak, and Cecil Peak.
Zooming Down the Luge
The luge is a super exciting ride! You sit in a small cart and control your speed as you race down a track. The luge tracks are over 1,600 meters (about one mile) long.
There are two different tracks: the Blue Track and the Red Track. They have different slopes and turns, so you can choose how fast and twisty you want your ride to be!
Future Plans for Skyline Queenstown
In 2019, plans were approved to make Skyline Queenstown even better! The project includes a brand new gondola and a new main building. There will also be a new car park. The project was paused for a bit in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
