Queenstown, New Zealand 🇳🇿
#611
,
Nomad Score:
62%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Queenstown is a resort town located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by the Southern Alps. |
| 👥 Population | Approximate population of 15,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is about 50 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 NZD ≈ 0.56 USD. Major banks include ANZ, Westpac, and ASB. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, and considered some of the purest water in the world. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Vodafone, Spark, and 2degrees. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International cards widely accepted, online banking available. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include hotels, hostels, and serviced apartments; Airbnb is popular. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely at stores and restaurants. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and Bookabach are commonly used. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | YHA Queenstown, Base Queenstown; budget dorm beds start at $30 NZD/night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Central Queenstown for easy access to shops and amenities. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Fernhill and Queenstown Hill for quieter, residential feel with great views. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Hangar, featuring hot desks and meeting rooms with a vibrant community. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Vudu Cafe & Larder, known for its ample seating and excellent coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Check local Facebook groups and Meetup for upcoming digital nomad gatherings. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Queenstown Expat Community on Facebook hosts regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in Queenstown along with local taxi services like Queenstown Taxis. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Rent from Queenstown Bike Tours for mountain biking or Pedal Pushing for regular bikes. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Frankton Beach is about a 10-minute drive from downtown. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air New Zealand offers regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Jetstar and Air New Zealand provide international flights to Australia and other destinations. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | State Highway 6 connects Queenstown to other major locations in the South Island. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Queenstown has no train service; buses connect to other towns. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Bus services run regularly; no dedicated public transport passes. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses to nearby cities like Wanaka and Te Anau operate daily. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Southern District Health Board's Queenstown Health Centre. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga on the Lake offers classes with stunning views. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Exercise Plus Queenstown, offering gym and group classes. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Queenstown Laundromat offers self-service laundry facilities. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Uber Eats and Menulog operate in the area. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the famous Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory fudge. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Lotus Room and A Taste of Italy offer vegan-friendly options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Cookie Time and Patagonia Chocolates are local favorites. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | FreshChoice grocery store offers good local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | The Warehouse for a variety of products. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Countdown supermarket offers online shopping and delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Searle Lane with several popular bars and nightlife spots. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Queenstown Brewing Co. offers local craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Gibbston Valley Winery is renowned for wine tasting. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Check out the local markets on weekends for street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Fergburger offers globally-renowned burgers. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Skyline Queenstown for panoramic views. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Arts Centre offers exhibitions and workshops. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The old gold mining town of Arrowtown is nearby. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Peter's Anglican Church is worth a visit. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Queenstown Winter Festival takes place annually in June. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Gondola and Skyline is a hub for tourists and locals. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Queenstown Events Centre hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Queenstown Market runs every Saturday with local crafts and food. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music at venues such as The Bunker and Cowboys. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Queenstown features various murals around the downtown area. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Beck's Cooking Classes offers fun culinary workshops. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Onsen Hot Pools has local art displayed in their premises. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Old Courthouse is a notable historical landmark. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Queenstown celebrates its gold-mining past through historic tours. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Routeburn Track offers stunning views and hiking opportunities. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Fiordland National Park is less than an hour away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Queenstown Trail offers scenic cycling and walking paths by the lake. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Bob's Peak is a famous viewpoint overlooking Queenstown. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Lake Wakatipu is great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated spots at local parks like Queenstown Gardens. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | NZ Post offers reliable parcel services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | JB Hi-Fi can assist with tech repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers often have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language Schools of New Zealand offer English courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Queenstown Library provides quiet study areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Queenstown Community Centre offers various resources. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Check out local cafes with gaming setups. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | SkyCity Queenstown Casino for gaming entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. NZD 6,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = NZD 240,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. NZD 5,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = NZD 200,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. NZD 5,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = NZD 348,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. NZD 4,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = NZD 270,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. NZD 5,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = NZD 416,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. NZD 4,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = NZD 336,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 28%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 33%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | New Zealand taxes based on a progressive rate. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 33% for income over NZD 180,000. |
| 🧾 VAT | 15% Goods and Services Tax (GST). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, rules apply to international subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual rates based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | No standard rate; however, associated costs may apply. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No capital gains tax; favorable tax rates for expatriates. |