A tour bus travels along a winding road through a golden, mountainous landscape at sunset. Snow-capped peaks rise in the background, creating a serene and scenic vista.

Stress-free ways to get here

Getting to Cardrona and Treble Cone

Catch our free mountain road shuttle or hop on the bus from Queenstown; easy, sustainable ways to get here.

Bus Service

Staying in Queenstown or Wānaka? We operate a convenient bus service with multiple pickup points. Before you hop on the bus, you can collect your lift pass and any rental gear from our Queenstown or Wānaka locations so you can get straight onto the snow when you reach the mountain base buildings. 

Queenstown Bus Service

$ 45

Adult price per day

  • Return bus service from Queenstown

  • Travel to Cardrona or Treble Cone

  • Service runs all season

  • Multiple pickup points available

Book Now

Wānaka Bus Service

$ 45

Adult price per day

  • Return bus service from Wānaka

  • Travel to Cardrona or Treble Cone

  • Service runs all season

  • Multiple pickup points available

Book Now
Queenstown Only

Après Bus Service

Après Bus Service

$ 45

Adult price per day

  • Return bus service from Queenstown to Cardrona

  • Enjoy a later departure time

  • Service runs from June 27 - September 20

  • Multiple pickup points available

Book NowLearn More
A group of skiers prepares their gear next to a white bus in a snowy mountain setting, ready for transport to their destination. Clear skies and bright sunlight overhead.

Bus Service Timetables

Number on map

Pickup

Departure

1.

Cameron Place Bus Stop

7.30am

2.

Heritage Bus Stop

7.35am

3.

Rydges Bus Stop

7.37am

4.

Steamer Wharf/Crowne Plaza Bus Stop

7.40am

5.

Robins Rd Bus Stop/Creeksyde

7:41am

6.

Cardrona x Treble Cone Queenstown

7.45am

7.

Upper Stanley Street Bus Stop

7.46am

8.

Suburb Street Bus Stop/Copthorne Apartments

7.47am

9.

Pounamu Bus Stop

7.48am

10.

Oakshores/The Rees Bus Stop

7.50am

11.

Sherwood/Goldfield Heights Bus Stop

7.53am

12.

Marina Heights Bus Stop

7.56am

13.

Hilton/Double Tree*

7.45am

14.

Silky Otter Queenstown*

7.52am

15.

Sudima Hotel Five Mile*

8.00am

16.

Frankton Bus Shelter

8.00am

17.

Crown Range Turn-Off

8.10am

*Service runs between June 27 - September 20 only.

Estimated arrival time on the mountain is between 9 - 9.30am.

Return transport departure time from Cardrona is 4.15pm.

Cardrona reserves the right to alter this timetable at any time due to passenger demand and/or mountain conditions.

Pickup

Departure

Rydges Bus Stop

8.50am

Robins Road Bus Stop/Creeksyde

8.55am

Cardrona x Treble Cone Queenstown

9.00am

Upper Stanley Street Bus Stop

9.05am

Oak Shores/The Reese Bus Stop

9.10am

Sherwood/Goldfield Heights Bus Stop

9.15am

Frankton Bus Shelter

9.20am

Estimated arrival time on the mountain is between 10.30 - 10.45am.

Return transport departure time from Cardrona is 5.00pm.

Cardrona reserves the right to alter this timetable at any time due to passenger demand and/or mountain conditions.

Number on map

Pickup

Departure

1.

Cameron Place Bus Stop

7.00am

2.

Heritage Bus Stop

7.01am

3.

Rydges Bus Stop

7.03am

4.

Steamer Wharf/Crowne Plaza Bus Stop

7.05am

5.

Robins Rd Bus Stop/Creeksyde

7.08am

6.

Cardrona x Treble Cone Queenstown

7.10am

7.

Upper Stanley Street Bus Stop

7.13am

8.

Suburb Street Bus Stop/Copthorne Apartments

7.15am

9.

Pounamu Bus Stop

7.18am

10.

Oakshores/The Rees Bus Stop

7.20am

11.

Sherwood/Goldfield Heights Bus Stop

7.23am

12.

Marina Heights Bus Stop

7.26am

16.

Frankton Bus Shelter

7.30am

Estimated arrival time on the mountain is 9.30am.

Return transport departure time from Treble Cone is 4.00pm.

Treble Cone reserves the right to alter this timetable at any time due to passenger demand and/or mountain conditions.

Number on map

Pickup

Departure

1.

Edgewater

7.30am

2.

Club Wyndham Wānaka

7.40am

3.

Lake Front Car Park

7.50am

4.

Cardrona x Treble Cone Wānaka (50 Cardrona Valley Road)

8.00am

Estimated arrival time on the mountain is between 9 - 9.30am.

Return transport departure time from Cardrona is 4.30pm.

Cardrona reserves the right to alter this timetable at any time due to passenger demand and/or mountain conditions.

Number on map

Pickup

Departure

4.

Après / Basecamp Wanaka

8.30am

5.

Wānaka Showgrounds

8.35am

Estimated arrival time on the mountain is 9.30am.

Return transport departure time from Treble Cone is 4.00pm.

Treble Cone reserves the right to alter this timetable at any time due to passenger demand and/or mountain conditions.

Book Now

Bus Service Pickup Points

A group of skiers gathers near a parked tour bus in a mountainous, sunlit valley. They organise their gear, preparing for a day on the slopes. Snow-dusted hills rise in the background, creating a peaceful outdoor scene.

Free Mountain Road Shuttles

Save fuel, relax, or skip driving mountain roads by hopping on our free mountain road shuttles. No booking required, just park at The Pines carpark for Cardrona or the carpark at the bottom of the access road for Treble Cone, then catch the next available shuttle.

Cardrona

  • Up: 8:00am | 8:30am | 9:00am | 9:30am | 10:00am | 10:30am | 11:30am

  • Down: 1:30pm | 2:30pm | 3:30pm | 4:00pm | 4:15pm

Cardrona (October)

  • Up: 8:30am | 9:30am | 10:30am

  • Down: 1:30pm | 2:30pm | 3:30pm | 4:15pm

Treble Cone

  • Up: 8:00am | 8:30am | 9:00am | 9:30am | 10:00am

  • Down: 1:30pm | 2:30pm | 3:30pm | 4:15pm

Important Info

  • Shuttle times may change due to weather or road conditions.

  • Transport is free and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Uphill service may be suspended if the shuttle reaches capacity.

A simplified map of New Zealand’s South Island highlighting Queenstown, Wānaka, and the nearby ski areas of Treble Cone and Cardrona, marked with red icons.

Driving & Parking

Cardrona

  • Drive times: Vary depending on conditions.

  • From Queenstown CBD: 59 km | 1–1.5 hrs

  • From Wānaka: 35 km | 40–45 mins

  • Mountain Road: 14 km unsealed road. Parking is available at three car parks around the base building (Carpark A, Carpark B, Carpark C).

  • Valley View Car Park: Located further down the mountain before the top of the road. Suitable only for intermediate skiers, as a chairlift is required to reach the base building. If you need rentals or want access to the main facilities, park at the base building car parks.

  • Shuttle pick-up: Catch the free mountain shuttle from The Pines Carpark, near the bottom of the access road. No booking required.

  • Safety: Always carry chains; weather and road conditions can change quickly.

  • Click here for directions to Cardrona

Treble Cone

  • Drive times: Vary depending on conditions.

  • From Queenstown CBD: 97 km | 1.5–2 hrs

  • From Wānaka: 30 km | 35–40 mins

  • Mountain Road: 7.5 km unsealed road. Parking is available at the very top, just outside the base building, or at the carpark at the bottom of the access road, which is where you can catch the free mountain shuttle.

  • Safety: Always carry chains; weather and road conditions can change quickly.

  • Click here for directions to Treble Cone

It is a requirement to carry snow chains in your vehicle at all times when driving on the mountain road, even if they are not required on that day. Make sure you know how to fit them before you arrive. For a step-by-step guide, check out our handy video on how to fit snow chains here.

Make sure to check the Snow Report on the day of your visit for the latest road conditions, chain requirements, and any access updates to ensure a safe and smooth journey up the mountain.

Save 10% with GO Rentals

We’ve partnered with GO Rentals to offer you 10% off all car rentals when you use the promo code GO10. It’s the perfect opportunity to book one of their climate-friendly vehicles, helping reduce your carbon footprint while exploring the mountains.

Book Now
A couple stands by a white SUV parked beside a lake, with snow-capped mountains in the background and the GO Rentals logo above.

Frequently
Asked Questions

Directions to Cardrona from Queenstown Airport: Drive towards Cromwell but turn off at Crown Range Road. You’ll drive up and over the range, before reaching the small village of Cardrona, featuring a historic hotel (pub) and quaint general store. Continue driving through Cardrona village centre before reaching the turnoff and signposted Cardrona Alpine Resort.

Directions to Treble Cone from Queenstown Airport: Drive towards Cromwell but turn off at Crown Range Road. You’ll drive up and over the range, before reaching the small village of Cardrona, featuring a historic hotel (pub) and quaint general store. Continue driving through Cardrona village centre reaching Wānaka. Once you reach the lakefront, take a left and follow the road all the way past Glendhu Bay before you reach the turnoff for Treble Cone.

If you can’t catch the bus and don’t have a car, you can book a private transfer from Queenstown or Wānaka and be delivered directly to the base buildings at Cardrona or Treble Cone. We work with Yello, Wānaka Transfers, and Wānaka Ski Concierge to provide a seamless experience.

We sure do! If you're coming all the way to the top of the mountain road, you’re most welcome to use our drop-off zone to drop the rest of the family & all your gear right at the front door – just let our Carpark Crew know you’re heading up to use that zone.

Yes, pre-booking the bus service is essential to ensure you secure a spot and avoid disappointment! Booking in advance helps manage capacity and guarantees your place on the bus, making your trip to the mountain smooth and stress-free.

Still need some help? Get in touch using our

The sun rises over a ski resort, with a chair lift called "Whitestar Express" in the foreground.

Buy online and save!

Lift Passes

Secure your Winter ’26 Cardrona and Treble Cone lift pass and experience the largest ski area in New Zealand

Learn More
Close up of freshly groomed snow.

What to expect on the slopes

Snow Report

Check the Cardrona and Treble Cone snow conditions to see how it’s looking today

Learn More