Rental Cars

For those guests wishing to explore the Southern Lakes District we recommend hiring a car. Avis, Hertz and Budget are based in Queenstown and at the airport.

The drive to Blanket Bay is magnificent. Only 35 minutes from Queenstown, or 50 minutes from the airport, the newly sealed road offers breathtaking views of hanging valleys, towering mountains, and Lake Wakatipu

Transfer Options

Limousine South: Chauffeur Driven Car

• Ford Fairlane Ghia or GM Caprice: NZ $210.00
• Nissan ElGrand 5 seater: NZ $265.00

Transfers are costed per vehicle, one way and are inclusive of GST. Prices are subject to change

All transfer bookings can be made direct with the reservations team at Blanket Bay.

Indicative prices from Queenstown airport to Blanket Bay by Helicopter

• Squirrel B3: NZ $1550.00
  six seats, or 3/4 people plus limited luggage

Transfers are costed per helicopter, one way and are inclusive of GST. Prices are subject to change

By Private Jet

Pacific Jets operate private jet, which is available for transfer to/from Blanket Bay. Fly to Queenstown from Australia, the South Pacific, or from one of New Zealand's international or regional airports, with the option of a scenic tour of the magnificent Southern Alps on the way. Pacific Jets offer special door-to-door Lodge Transfer packages including limousine or helicopter transfers from the airport to the Lodge

Please contact the Blanket Bay reservations team to arrange a booking and quote.

By Light Aircraft

An alternative is by Glenorchy Air. For example, the indicative price from Blanket Bay to Grasmere Lodge:

• 1-2 pax Charter Cost NZ $2300
• 3-4 pax Charter cost NZ $4230

This charter price includes tax and the ferry time back to Queenstown. The flight includes a landing at Fox Glacier (with time for a heli-glacier flight, and or lunch / morning or afternoon tea if required which are an additional cost). Allow 3 hours. The flight between the two Lodges is one of the worlds great scenic flights

Like the Grand Canyon, this area is a World Heritage Area protected by UN Convention. You will enjoy unparalleled views of the New Zealand Southern Alps. You pass New Zealand's highest mountain, Mount Cook and its glaciers, experiencing living remnants of the last Ice Age. We recommend landing at Fox township which is near the terminus of the magnificent Fox glacier, where you can take a helicopter or ski plane ride onto the glacier.

Click here to see The Blanket Bay location with Google Maps

Flight Times to Auckland

• Sydney, Australia: 2 hrs 50 mins
• Melbourne, Australia: 3 hrs 20 mins
• Brisbane, Australia: 3 hrs 20 mins
• Los Angeles, USA: 11 hrs 45 mins
• London, England: 25 hrs 40 mins
• Frankfurt, Germany: 26 hrs 15 mins
• Hong Kong: 10 hrs 30 mins 

Flight Times to Queenstown

• Christchurch: 45 mins
• Auckland: 1 hr 45 mins
• Sydney: 3 hrs
• Brisbane: 3 hrs 20 mins
• Melbourne:3 hrs 

Driving Times and Suggested Driving Routes to Blanket Bay

• Christchurch: 7 hours
  Christchurch > Ashburton > Geraldine > Fairlie > Twizel > Cromwell > Queenstown > Blanket Bay
• West Coast: 7 hours
  Greymouth > Hokitika > Franz Joseph Glacier > Fox Glacier > Haast > Wanaka > Cromwell > Queenstown > Blanket Bay
• Dunedin: 4 hours
  Dunedin > Milton > Roxburgh > Alexandra > Cromwell > Queenstown > Blanket Bay 

Driving Times from Blanket Bay

• Queenstown: 45 minutes
• Queenstown Airport: 55 minutes (driving instructions)
• Arrowtown: 1 hour
• Cromwell: 1.5 hours
• Wanaka: 2 hours