Sydney/Melbourne to Queenstown Flights - Advice?

[k3nnis]

Thanks. I need to cut down on my accomodation spending that is why I am using up my Hilton points at the Hilton. If not I would have tried the sofitel or st moritz Can you actually hear planes flying past in the evening from the Hilton rooms? Don't think I can do any jet boating with the 20 month old Might need to save that for next time. Probably no night life also due to the kid Just want to sit back and relax and see the scenery and try the restaurants, some shopping etc.... Hopefully ZQN is a reasonable place to do this

Does it get like Sydney hot in the summer at ZQN? I'm looking at whether to go there in OCT,NOV or DEC/JAN.

 

[samh004]

Thanks. I need to cut down on my accomodation spending that is why I am using up my Hilton points at the Hilton. If not I would have tried the sofitel or st moritz Can you actually hear planes flying past in the evening from the Hilton rooms? Don't think I can do any jet boating with the 20 month old Might need to save that for next time. Probably no night life also due to the kid Just want to sit back and relax and see the scenery and try the restaurants, some shopping etc.... Hopefully ZQN is a reasonable place to do this

Does it get like Sydney hot in the summer at ZQN? I'm looking at whether to go there in OCT,NOV or DEC/JAN.

The Sofitel in ZQN is possibly in an even worse spot. Hardly any views, built at the back of town. I walk through it a few times each visit and it's nearly always empty. Shops in there closed down ages ago and are vacant.

The St Moritz is actually just above my parents apartments, and within walking distance, with great views, so don't have anything bad to say about them.

Planes don't take off after dusk (I believe it's 30 minutes prior to dusk) from ZQN. But if you're a plane spotter, sitting outside the bar with a camera you'll have a great view of them landing and/or taking off over the lake.

I'd recommend somewhere in (or around) town, unless you get a great deal using your points at the Hilton. Easier access to restaurants and shopping that way. The water taxi can be cold at night

OCT/NOV is 5.6° - 18.6°
DEC/JAN is 9.4° - 22.6° (and is still about the same in FEB)


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[k3nnis]

Thanks for the great info. I'm a semi plane spotter you could say And I have hilton points that I would like to use up. Ok so ZQN rarely reaches 30C? Any ideas if the cabride is expensive from Hilton to the town ... where the shops are? I am going to rent a car for a few days as well to drive around etc. I wonder if its worth parking the rental car at the Hilton, probably not cost wise...?

 

[Andyzx]

School Holidays end around the end of Jan / early Feb, Feb is generally a better time and better weather. Oct is still cool /cold, Nov is either cold or hot
20 month old will love the ducks / fish / food etc around the wharf area, there are plenty of easy walks to do and sights to see. It's easy walking around the town and shops and sights. If you grab a car for the day, visit the wineries (Peregrine is our fav) and stop off to look at the bungee on the way.
Further afield Arrowtown is good, Doubtful Sound is a good but long day trip, Wanaka (lake) is nice drive over the ranges or a trip on the lake on the steam boat.
We were their in late Jan 2012, had a cold and almost blizzard day the next was a picture postcard of a light dusting of snow on the rangers (hills) and 25c.
Stay close to the town, its better.

 

[smit0847]

INSIST on a window seat for your flight to QZN - you'll thank me later!

 

[k3nnis]

ok I will. Problem is VA metal SYD-ZQN is a 3-3 seating config. But I will only have 2 seats, myself and wife + infant. So if I go with a window seat, the aisle will be for someone else, and I have a feeling the little one will go in and out

So at this stage probably nov or during xmas time/new years. Is it a bad idea to go when it's school hols etc??? Not that we are going on any extreme sports

 

[samh004]

Thanks for the great info. I'm a semi plane spotter you could say And I have hilton points that I would like to use up. Ok so ZQN rarely reaches 30C? Any ideas if the cabride is expensive from Hilton to the town ... where the shops are? I am going to rent a car for a few days as well to drive around etc. I wonder if its worth parking the rental car at the Hilton, probably not cost wise...?

I can't remember how much the cab ride was. We have a car we leave with friends so we generally drive.

The shops are all in town. It's 6 by 4 blocks or so, so not hard to navigate and explore. There's a few bigger stores outside of town, like supermarkets and hardware stores, but doubt you'll be that keen on building anything while you're there.

I don't know how much Hilton would charge parking at, but there's plenty of parking around the Hilton last time I was there, outside though mind you. As mentioned below, parking in school holidays in town may be troublesome, especially if you don't know where some of the better spots are, but you should manage, there are a few multi-stories. Definitely better to drive, though not if you're going to a vineyard, and I'd suggest Amisfield for lunch.

ok I will. Problem is VA metal SYD-ZQN is a 3-3 seating config. But I will only have 2 seats, myself and wife + infant. So if I go with a window seat, the aisle will be for someone else, and I have a feeling the little one will go in and out

So at this stage probably nov or during xmas time/new years. Is it a bad idea to go when it's school hols etc??? Not that we are going on any extreme sports

ZQN is a holiday town, numbers always swell with school holidays. So it's not necessarily a bad time to go, but getting into restaurants, doing activities, parking (if renting a car) will all be just a little harder.

Would second the window seat with a camera, if possible. And generally the right hand side of the plane too. Left still has views but you'll generally get better photos of the town on the right.

When you've booked come back here and we'll all jockey to recommend the best spots and activities.


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[k3nnis]

Thanks will let everyone know Firstly need to find out which month we are going