Queenstown is New Zealand's adventure capital, set on the shore of Lake Wakatipu beneath The Remarkables mountain range. Known for bungy jumping, jet boating and skiing, it also offers lakeside dining, Central Otago wineries and the gold-rush village of Arrowtown.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Pounamu (greenstone) carvings
Carved koru, hei matau and toki pendants. Buy from Maori or NZ-based carvers and ask for the stone's origin.
Price: NZ$40-NZ$800 (~US$23.2-US$464)
Where: Queenstown Mall and Beach Street jewellers; Arrowtown galleries
Merino and possum-merino clothing
Warm base layers, beanies and socks that suit the alpine climate.
Price: NZ$30-NZ$400 (~US$17.4-US$232)
Where: Queenstown Mall, Shotover Street and outdoor stores
Central Otago pinot noir
Award-winning pinot noir from Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell vineyards.
Price: NZ$30-NZ$100 (~US$17.4-US$58)
Where: Gibbston Valley Winery cellar door and Queenstown bottle shops
Local cheese and jams
Gibbston Valley cheeses, honey and preserves.
Price: NZ$8-NZ$40 (~US$4.64-US$23.2)
Where: Gibbston Valley Cheesery and the Queenstown Market
Landscape paintings and prints
Southern Alps scenes by local artists.
Price: NZ$30-NZ$2000 (~US$17.4-US$1160)
Where: Arrowtown and Queenstown galleries
Outdoor and ski gear
Jackets, boots and ski rental purchases from shops specialising in mountain gear.
Price: NZ$100-NZ$1000 (~US$58-US$580)
Where: Shotover Street and Remarkables Park shops
Handmade jewellery and leather goods
Locally made silver, leather and ceramics.
Price: NZ$25-NZ$500 (~US$14.5-US$290)
Where: Arrowtown galleries and weekend markets
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Remarkables Market
A weekend market in the Red Barn with local produce, crafts, food and music near Queenstown Airport.
Where: 23 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton, Queenstown 9300
Hours: Saturdays, about 10AM-2PM, mainly October-April (confirm on the market's own channels)
Queenstown Market
A lakefront market of artists, makers and food stalls.
Where: Earnslaw Park, Beach Street, Queenstown 9300
Hours: Saturdays, with occasional summer Fridays (confirm schedule)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Queenstown Mall
The pedestrian lane between Beach Street and Shotover Street with souvenir shops, outdoor brands and cafes.
Best for: Souvenirs and outdoor gear
Beach Street
A lakefront street of shops and restaurants.
Best for: Souvenirs and dining
Shotover Street
The town's main street with outdoor stores, bars and tour offices.
Best for: Gear and tours
Arrowtown Main Street
A village street of heritage shops, galleries and cafes.
Best for: Gifts and crafts
Remarkables Park Town Centre
A Frankton retail precinct near the airport.
Best for: Everyday shopping
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Remarkables Park Town Centre
An open-air centre with retail stores, cafes and services near the airport.
Hours: About 9AM-6PM daily (confirm on remarkablesparktowncentre.co.nz)
Queenstown Central
A Frankton shopping centre with a supermarket and everyday stores.
Hours: About 8AM-9PM daily (supermarket); other stores vary
Five Mile
A retail and dining complex at Frankton with a cinema and cafes.
Hours: About 9AM-9PM daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices are fixed in shops; haggling is rare.
Markets may accept small cash discounts but cards are widely accepted.
Ask about off-season sales on outdoor gear in spring and autumn.
Compare pounamu prices across shops and ask about provenance.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: NZ biosecurity is strict. Declare food, wood, seeds, shells and feathers on arrival and clean footwear and camping gear. Taking pounamu and some natural items home may need permits. Check mpi.govt.nz.
Tax Refund: NZ has no tourist tax refund scheme. GST (15%) is included in shelf prices.
Duty Free: Duty-free is available at Queenstown Airport's international terminal for liquor, cosmetics and souvenirs.
Shipping: NZ Post (nzpost.co.nz) and couriers ship overseas. A small parcel to the US costs roughly NZ$40-NZ$80 (~US$23.2-US$46.4).
Payment: Contactless cards and phone wallets are accepted nearly everywhere. Cash is rarely needed except at some markets.