Additional parking spaces for Queenstown’s Stanley Street site by Christmas

The carpark on the former site of the Queenstown Performing Arts Centre in Queenstown’s town centre will temporarily close from Thursday 2 October to Friday 19 December, while upgrades are carried out to nearly double the amount of parking spaces it offers.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) General Manager Property & Infrastructure, Tony Avery said improvements would result in 131 parking spaces at the site – approximately 56 more than currently there – three accessible spaces, potential for 13 EV charging spaces, and 21 bike parks too.

“Given these are highly valued parking spaces that provide locals and visitors with a great way to access the town centre and businesses in the area, the additional capacity provided will be a great benefit ahead of what’s sure to be a very busy festive and holiday season,” said Mr Avery.

Upgrades at the site include laying down a new surface, making improvements to vehicle circulation, and stormwater and dust issues in the area, and installing new lighting too.

Work here follows a Council resolution made in 2024 regarding options to provide the maximum number of public carparks at the Stanley Street site for the medium term, which included opening a temporary carpark in late 2024, and the intention to resurface the site with bitumen this year.

Mr Avery acknowledged the temporary closure to the carpark would cause some inconvenience to regular users and visitors to Queenstown over the next two months, but noted that a range of other options remained available in and near the town centre.

“We’ve recently reopened the Ballarat Street Carpark which offers 102 parking spaces, and we have plenty more available in our Boundary Street, Lakeview, Memorial Street, and Athol Street carparks too,” said Mr Avery.

“And if trying to find a parking space isn’t your idea of fun, I’d certainly encourage trying an alternative way of heading into and out of town – whether that’s jumping on the bus, carpooling with a friend or colleague, or taking advantage of these warmer mornings to walk or ride in.”

As a reminder, parking in all Council-managed spaces in Queenstown is free in the evening after 6.00pm through until 8.00am the next morning.

More information on parking options in Queenstown are available online at www.qldc.govt.nz/parking.

ENDS | KUA MUTU.

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.

FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri

Parking options in Queenstown from Thursday 2 October: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/media/yz0blyfy/qldc_queenstown-parking-maps-a4_updates-for-closures_sep25-web.pdf