The new and improved gondola system in Queenstown (New Zealand) features 35 cabins, each carrying up to 10 passengers. Operating at speeds of up to five meters per second, the gondola can transport 6.000 people per hour to- and from the summit of Bob’s Peak – a 300 percent increase from the previous system.

Garreth Hayman, CEO DOPPELMAYR New Zealand, says the new gondola system is a fantastic and timely celebration of the 35-year partnership between DOPPELMAYR New Zealand, and Skyline Queenstown.

“We are beyond excited about the successful completion of this project. Over the course of a 10-week changeover period, our team has worked alongside Skyline Queenstown to achieve a feat of engineering that has required meticulous planning, coordination and precision execution.”

Garreth Hayman’s team take great pride in delivering innovative and worldclass ropeway solutions that revolutionise the way people experience iconic destinations. The Skyline Queenstown project marks a significant milestone in the company’s history, he says:

“We are thrilled to be part of this extraordinary journey, offering visitors a unique and unforgettable perspective of breathtaking landscapes in Queenstown”.
The Skyline Queenstown gondola project embodies DOPPELMAYR New Zealand‘s commitment to excellence in engineering, safety and sustainability.

Comfortable and secure ride

A highlight of this process was the installation of the ten new towers for the gondola, which required the team to skilfully airlift each tower onto the site, where they have been strategically positioned to provide stability and reliability.

The advanced technology of the gondola system guarantees a smooth and secure ride for all passengers, with zero local emissions due to electric drive.

Accomodation for growing visitor numbers

The decision to construct this gondola is based on the steadily growing numbers of visitors to Skyline Queenstown. Project Skyline unfolds in four key construction phases from 2021 to December 2028.

In the first phase (November 2021 to April 2023), DOPPELMAYR New Zealand began working on the foundations which kicked off the redevelopment of Skyline, followed by the construction of the new gondola stations.

The second phase (April to June 2023) marked “The Big Changeover”, working together DOPPELMAYR New Zealand and Skyline, successfully decommission the old gondola system, completed the installation, and introduced the new gondola for public operation.

The third phase (July 2023 to March 2024) involved the completion of the surrounding stations and associated works.

Looking ahead, to the last phase (until December 2028) signifies “The Big Upgrade,” with continuous enhancements to redefine Skyline Queenstown and their visitor experience.