An icon of New Zealand's tourism industry, Skyline Queenstown has officially opened a new extension as it begins its next chapter.
Skyline Queenstown has opened its newest building at the top of Bob’s Peak, marking a major milestone in the NZD 300 million redevelopment of one of New Zealand’s most visited tourism destinations. The new extension building, which opened to guests on 16 March, features an expanded viewing deck, new food and beverage offerings, and a redesigned Stratosfare Restaurant. It is part of a broader transformation of the Skyline Queenstown complex that has been underway since 2018.
Skyline Queenstown Unveils Major New Tourism Development
With Queenstown’s international visitor numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels, and the district outpacing national tourism growth, the new building meets this growing demand and improves the quality of the guest experience at the top of the gondola.
Skyline Enterprises CEO Geoff McDonald said the opening is a significant moment for the global company, which celebrates its 60th anniversary next month.
“Skyline started with a simple idea in the 1960s - to build a gondola up Bob’s Peak so more people could enjoy the view. Nearly 60 years on, that same commitment drives everything we do. This building is the next chapter in that story, and it’s one we’re proud to deliver for Queenstown,” he said.
“This is the most complex construction project in Skyline’s history. It hasn’t been straightforward, but this upgrade is something the community can enjoy for generations to come.”
New Dining, Views and Visitor Experiences
The new extension creates a visitor experience at the top of the gondola that has something for everyone. It includes four distinct food and beverage experiences, from premium dining at Stratosfare Restaurant, which opens on March 18, and a more relaxed café and bar style offering, to a gelato bar and a grab-and-go deli.
Skyline Queenstown General Manager Wayne Rose said the new building transforms the guest experience to create a world-class destination that the region deserves.
“It has been designed from the ground up to make the most of the views with a dramatic, and significantly bigger viewing deck alongside a new and refreshed food and beverage offering,” he said.
The new interior draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape, with deep blues and greens inspired by Lake Wakatipu and the tussock-covered peaks of the Southern Alps. A 32 m² living wall feature brings a touch of the outdoors inside.
It also features a fully electrified commercial kitchen, part of a broader shift away from gas as part of Skyline’s efforts to operate with a lighter footprint.
Later this year, Skyline plans to open its new Vortex slide. The high-adrenaline Vortex slide is set to be one of the longest slides in New Zealand and launches from the viewing deck with a 20-metre vertical drop.
NZD 300 Million Redevelopment Continues
The Skyline Gondola, Luge, carpark, and base terminal will continue to operate as normal throughout the ongoing construction. Stargazing experiences and access to the Queenstown Bike Park trails also remain unchanged.
In the last eight years, Skyline Queenstown has opened a new four-seater chairlift, Luge track upgrades, 10-seater gondola, a 397-space multi-storey carpark, and new base and top gondola terminals. The new extension building is the latest addition to that programme.
And with the extension building now open, deconstruction of the existing building begins immediately. The full redevelopment of the top complex is expected to be completed by early 2029.
“This is an important milestone, but it’s not the finish line,” Rose said.
“Guests will see ongoing construction at the top as we work through the next phases. A covered walkway connecting the gondola terminal to the new building will keep guests safe and separate from the construction zone. Our focus is on maintaining a high-quality guest experience while completing the final phase of the redevelopment.”
Once complete, the viewing deck will expand from 68sqm to 430sqm and the capacity of Stratosfare Restaurant will increase from 330 seats to 650. It will also feature conference and events facilities (one of the largest in Queenstown), an additional café, a new bar, an indoor children’s play area, and a large retail offering.
McDonald said the scale of the investment reflects Skyline’s long-term commitment to Queenstown.
“This is one of the largest private tourism investments in Queenstown’s history. We’ve been operating here for nearly 60 years, and this project is about making sure the experience at the top of Bob’s Peak reflects that. We’re building for the next 60 years, not just the next few seasons.”
More news here.
