The extension building includes a larger viewing deck, new food and beverage venues.
Skyline Queenstown has opened a major new building at the top of Bob’s Peak.
The opening marks a key milestone in the $300 million redevelopment of one of New Zealand’s most visited tourism attractions.
The extension building, which opens to guests today, includes a larger viewing deck, new food and beverage venues and a redesigned Stratosfare Restaurant as part of the long-running transformation of the Skyline Queenstown complex.
The project comes as Queenstown’s international visitor numbers surpass pre-pandemic levels, with the district outpacing national tourism growth. Skyline says the new building is designed to meet that demand while improving the visitor experience at the top of the gondola.
Skyline Enterprises chief executive Geoff McDonald said the opening was a significant moment for the company, which marks 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.”
The new extension building introduces four food and beverage experiences, ranging from premium dining at the Stratosfare Restaurant, which opens on March 18, to more casual café and bar-style options, along with a gelato bar and a grab-and-go deli.
Skyline Queenstown general manager Wayne Rose said the building had been designed to maximise the views from the top of Bob’s Peak, while significantly expanding the public viewing area.
“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 interior design draws on the surrounding landscape, using deep blues and greens inspired by Lake Wakatipu and the tussock-covered peaks of the Southern Alps. A 32sq m living wall feature brings vegetation indoors.
The building also includes a fully electrified commercial kitchen as part of Skyline’s efforts to shift away from gas and operate with a lighter environmental footprint.
Later this year, Skyline plans to open the Vortex slide, a high-adrenaline attraction launching from the viewing deck with a 20m vertical drop. The slide is expected to be one of the longest in New Zealand.
The gondola, luge, carpark and base terminal will continue operating during the wider redevelopment. Stargazing experiences and access to the Queenstown Bike Park trails are also unaffected.
The new extension building is the latest stage in a redevelopment programme that has been underway since 2018. In that time, Skyline Queenstown has opened a new four-seater chairlift, upgraded its luge tracks, installed a new 10-seater gondola, built a 397-space multi-storey carpark and completed new base and top gondola terminals.
With the extension building now open, deconstruction of the existing building will begin immediately. The full redevelopment of the upper 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 68sq m to 430sq m, while the capacity of the Stratosfare Restaurant will increase from 330 seats to 650.
Future stages will also include conference and events facilities, expected to be among the largest in Queenstown, along with an additional cafe, a new bar, an indoor children’s play area and expanded retail space.
McDonald said the scale of the investment reflected 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,” he said.
“We’re building for the next 60 years, not just the next few seasons.”