Shopping · Queenstown · New Zealand
Shopping in Queenstown
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: fr:Utilisateur:FRED The original uploader was FRED at French Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Shopping focuses on outdoor gear, merino clothing, New Zealand design and wine, with the largest stores in the town centre and big-box shops at Frankton. Best souvenirs: Merino clothing, Central Otago wine and Pounamu (greenstone).
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 3
- Markets
- 1
- Top souvenir
- Merino clothing
Where to shop
Queenstown Mall and Beach Street
Outdoor-gear stores, merino clothing and souvenir shops in the town centre.
Remarkables Park and Five Mile, Frankton
Supermarkets, chain stores and outdoor retailers near the airport.
Buckingham Street, Arrowtown
Boutiques, galleries and gift shops in historic buildings.
Markets
Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market
Weekend lakefront market of local crafts, art and gifts at Earnslaw Park.
What to buy
Merino clothing
Base layers, socks and knitwear from New Zealand merino.
Central Otago wine
Pinot noir from Gibbston or Bannockburn cellar doors.
Pounamu (greenstone)
Carved jade pendants; buy from reputable carvers selling New Zealand stone.
Local art and photography
Prints of the lake and mountains from galleries in town and Arrowtown.
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Central Otago pinot noir, Cheese rolls, Central Otago stone fruit and Flat white. Cellar doors in Gibbston Valley, Bannockburn near Cromwell and wine bars in Queenstown and Arrowtown. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Queenstown Town Centre | $$$$ | Compact lakefront grid of tour shops, restaurants, bars and the Steamer Wharf |
| Frankton | $$ | Airport suburb with supermarkets, Remarkables Park shopping and a lakeside beach |
| Kelvin Heights | $$$$ | Peninsula of lakeside homes, a golf course and the Hilton resort across the Frankton Arm |
| Arrowtown | $$$ | Gold-rush village of stone cottages and tree-lined streets, 20 minutes from Queenstown |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in NZD. Tipping is not expected in New Zealand. Leaving around 10% for exceptional service at a restaurant, or tipping an adventure guide, is appreciated but optional.
- Ride the Orbus with a Bee Card rather than taking taxis between town, Frankton and Arrowtown.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in May and October; the busiest months are January and July.
- April: Arrowtown Autumn Festival (usually April)
- June: Queenstown Winter Festival (usually late June)
Staying near the shops
$$ · Best for families, budget and shopping
Frankton
Airport suburb with supermarkets, Remarkables Park shopping and a lakeside beach
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Queenstown?
Merino clothing, Central Otago wine, Pounamu (greenstone) and Local art and photography.
+Where is the best shopping in Queenstown?
Queenstown Mall and Beach Street: Outdoor-gear stores, merino clothing and souvenir shops in the town centre.
+What are the best markets in Queenstown?
Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market.