Queenstown is known as the adventure playground of New Zealand. With so many activities on offer, including white water rafting, bungy jumping, and mountain biking, it’s easy to see why it's such a popular destination. During the colder months, Queenstown transforms into a winter wonderland with people travelling from across the globe to enjoy the world-class ski resort. But moving inter-island is not as simple as packing your bag and making a list of everything you are keen to explore once you arrive.
Fortunately, Allied has the right expertise and experience to help you successfully move from Auckland to Queenstown. To ensure that your inter-island is smooth-sailing, we’ve created this guide with everything you need to know in preparation for your move. Read on to learn everything from what life will be like in Queenstown to how best to pack for your move.
Life in Queenstown
Queenstown is a favourite holiday location for Kiwis and tourists alike, but deciding to live somewhere long term can be an incredibly different experience. We explain what life will be like in Queenstown and how it may compare to Auckland.
WORK & CAREER
Although Queenstown is thriving year round, the winter offers an abundance of seasonal work opportunities,from working on the snow to hospitality, to support the influx of tourists. Following the devastating effects on the tourism industry during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent border closures, Queenstown is now looking for new ways to diversify its industries. This presents new opportunities for businesses to thrive in the industries such as film & TV production, health and medicine, technology, and education. The rise of remote work has also seen some Kiwis choose to keep their jobs in Auckland while enjoying the benefits of living in Queenstown. You can find jobs in Queenstown by browsing employment agencies and job sites including Seek and Jora.
HOUSING
Queenstown has one of the most expensive housing markets in all of New Zealand! Whether you are looking to rent or buy, you should expect to pay a little more in Queenstown than in Auckland. Renting a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Queenstown will cost around $2,220 on average, which is more expensive than Auckland’s average of $2,203. If you decide to move in the winter, you will likely pay a little more due to increased demand.
As Queenstown is relatively small in comparison to Auckland (a population of approximately 16,000 compared to Auckland’s 1.4 million), there’s less suburbs to choose between. For those looking to live in an affluent suburb, Kelvin Heights is the perfect choice. Fernhill is ideal for those wanting a combination of proximity to town and epic views for an affordable price.
THE CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
Queenstown’s main appeal is in all the outdoor activities and opportunities it offers, with many people drawn to the stunning landscapes and natural wonders. Aside from being a nature lover's paradise, Queenstown also offers a burgeoning arts and hospitality scene. There is a mix of restaurants, pubs, shops, art galleries and museums to keep you entertained.
Aside from the activities that Queenstown offers, many Auckland residents choose to relocate for the relaxed and laid back lifestyle. Queenstown offers the connection to nature and escape from the hustle and bustle of Auckland without compromising all the comforts and conveniences.
TRANSPORTATION
If you are living in the town centre then you’ll find Queenstown easy to get around by foot, as many of the restaurants and amenities are within walking distance. Queenstown also offers public transport in the form of buses with five different routes and ferries which you can access with your Bee card. Driving is also popular with those living in the outer suburbs and allows you to easily access the various activities outside of town.
CLIMATE
You’ll enjoy long, warm summer days which average between 20℃ to 30℃ in Queenstown. Unlike Auckland, Queenstown experiences four distinct seasons throughout the year. You should expect snow-filled and crisp winter days, with temperatures ranging between -4℃ to 8℃. Fortunately, the sun will still be shining during the colder days and slightly less rain.
Planning your move to Queenstown
So, you’ve got an idea of what life will be like once you move to Queenstown. Now, it’s time to begin preparing for your inter-island relocation!
PACKING BELONGINGS AND FURNITURE
As your belongings and furniture have to travel a vast distance (over 1,500 kilometres), it’s important to ensure that they are packed properly. It’s not uncommon for people to leave their packing to the last minute, however a rushed packing job is not great for your stress levels and it can put your precious items at risk. We recommend using a professional packing service so you can ensure your belongings are safe for the journey.
MOVING A CAR OR VEHICLE
If you have a car or vehicle that you’d like to take with you to Queenstown, you need to work out how best to transport it to your new home. You can either choose to drive your car yourself or use a professional vehicle transportation service. As it’s more than a 21 hour drive from Auckland to Queenstown (you’ll also need to take the ferry), using a transport service can take the stress off of you and enable you to focus on settling into your new home.
RELOCATING WITH PETS
Moving with pets can be tricky at the best of times. Before you relocate, take your pet to the vet for a check-up and let them know about your move. As it is such a long way to drive with a pet, you may want to consider using a pet transportation service. The professionals will have the right expertise and resources to get your pet to their new home in Queenstown without causing additional stress.
STORAGE
If you are unsure about which belongings and furniture will work best in your new home, you can place your items into secure storage. If you are looking for flexibility during your inter-island move, short term storage is ideal. Otherwise, longer term storage can enable you to store items for as long as you need. Choose a storage provider, such as Allied, who is able to deliver your stored items to your new home in Queenstown when you are ready.
PROFESSIONAL MOVERS VS DIY
A big decision you need to make when moving inter-island is whether you choose to move with a moving company or decide to handle everything yourself. For most people, the major deciding factor in whether or not to use professional movers tends to be cost. You may be surprised to learn that it can be more worthwhile to use movers when relocating inter-island. This is because handling the move yourself involves a large amount of different costs including petrol, packing materials, the time taken to pack and move yourself (including taking time off work), renting a truck or van, and any other incidental expenses. Movers give you the benefit of being able to provide a quote on your specific relocation so you can easily budget for your move and aren’t shocked after adding up the totals.
You’ll also have more time and energy to settle into your home if you use the professionals. Movers will have the right experience, training and equipment to handle your inter-island relocation and carefully look after your belongings, not to mention they will be significantly more efficient.
There is also the added benefit of removalists offering multiple services (such as pet relocation, storage, and transit insurance) which can provide a more competitive deal compared to using numerous service providers.
Move to Queenstown from Auckland with Allied!
If you are ready to make the move from Auckland to Queenstown, you can relocate with Allied Removalists! We’ve assisted with hundreds of inter-island moves so you can trust that we have the right experience to ensure that your relocation is as seamless and hassle-free as possible! Our dedicated moving consultants will handle all the finer details required for your move so you can focus on being excited for your move to Queenstown. You can find out more information about our inter-island relocations and receive a free quote for your move today!