Best supermarkets in Queenstown: groceries, camping & more

As soon as I touched down in Queenstown, the first thing we did was pick up our camper van and went in search of the best supermarket in Queenstown.

We definitely needed a couple of camping supplies, but we also needed groceries for the upcoming week and we actually did a bit of a recce and went to as many of the Queenstown supermarkets as we could, especially as we were staying in the area for a few days.

We also did day trips to and from Queenstown for multiple days so we have a pretty good understanding of the local supermarkets in Queenstown.

Visiting New Zealand? Have a look at some of my other Aotearoa / New Zealand travel blogs for attractions nearby on your South Island itinerary or North Island road trip.

Not sure where to go? Have a look at my article on North VS South Island New Zealand, which is better?

The best supermarkets in Queenstown

So if you want to do a big shop, I would actually recommend not going into the centre of Queenstown just because it’s fairly small and you do get a lot of traffic there.

You can shop:

• In Queenstown town centre (smaller supermarkets & shops)
• In Frankton, just outside the city centre with bigger supermarkets.

There’s a lot of supermarkets on the outskirts near the airport in Frankton where there’s a lot more room and a number of different supermarket complexes where you can go to. It’s about a 10 minute drive outside of town.

If you’re interested in road trips have a look at my Queenstown to Milford Sound road trip or Queenstown to Lake Tekapo in Central Otago.

Frankton – Just outside the town centre

The location of Frankton is around a 7-10 minute drive from the centre of town.

Pak’n’Save Queenstown Grocery store

So if you are looking for groceries, one of our favourite places is the Pak’n’Save. It is quite different to the supermarkets that I’ve experienced elsewhere. It’s almost like a huge warehouse and there are thousands of different grocery items that you can pick up here.

In addition to being a normal grocery store, they also have a fresh deli counter, a hot deli counter and places where you can get ready-made food to eat, such as sandwiches or pies-I recommend the Cheese and onion pie.

This is actually where I stockpiled a lot of food and snacks for the upcoming weeks of my travels and if there’s one thing I recommend that you buy it is go straight to the chocolate and confectionery aisle and go and buy a Whittakers coconut chocolate bar. It is the best chocolate I’ve ever eaten, and I almost was eating a bar day.

Trust me it’s that good!

They also have great cordials, squashes and fresh fruit syrups, which I always paired with soda waters on my travels around New Zealand and I really recommend it.

Pak’nSave Queenstown:

• Address: 12 Hawthorne Dr, Frankton, Queenstown 9300
• Drive Time: Approximately 7 minutes from the centre of Queenstown
• Walk Time from the town centre: Not recommended to walk due to distance (around 1 hour)

New World

Then there is New World and this is super popular with the locals and it has a great fruit and veg section with a tonne of different out of season/imported fruit veg.

One thing to bear in mind though is that the food items that are out of season can be particularly pricey. Because New Zealand is an island it means that out of season goes have to be imported and there can be transport costs and extra taxes on these items meaning that they are just simply more expensive

If you’re looking for cheaper groceries then a good shout is going to a local farmers market or produce sellers that grow fruits and veg that are in season. I have to admit groceries some of the most expensive I’ve ever been particularly fresh fruit and vegetables but when we bought local produce Farmers it was so much cheaper. We got avocados for around $.30 each where is sometimes in the shops? You might be paying a couple of dollars each so just better in mind.

• New World Supermarket Queenstown:
  • Address: 1/12 Hawthorne Drive, Remarkables Park, Queenstown 9300
  • Drive Time: Approximately 4 minutes from the centre of Queenstown
  • Walk Time from the town centre: Approximately 20 minutes

Four Square

You will find a lot of four square markets all over New Zealand and these are the equivalent of your small local shops in England. I would compare this to your Tesco extra or local Sainsbury’s, or maybe a 7-eleven.

Four squares are usually conveniently placed right in the centre of towns, but it does mean that it might be a little pricier to it but it’s less. I often came into the little Four Square to pick up on extra toiletries or if I want to pick up some lunch and grab an apple, to go with it.

• Four Square Queenstown:
  • Address: 2/2 Grant Rd, Frankton, Queenstown 9300
  • Drive Time: Approximately 8 minutes from the centre of Queenstown
  • Walk Time from the town centre: Not recommended to walk due to distance (around 1.5 hours)

Kmart

So Kmart is actually a great option for household items, duvets, pillows, yoga mats, clothes, hiking gear, sports gear.

We actually came into Kmart to buy some camping gear we bought camping mats, inflatable mattresses, additional pillows and a ton of other bits that were actually super handy to have.

Kmart is also pretty good for an expensive items so I actually recommend this as a good option for anyone who is either just recently moved to town. It is travelling or even if you are local.

• Kmart Queenstown:
  • Address: Remarkables Park Town Centre, 12 Hawthorne Dr, Frankton, Queenstown 9300
  • Drive Time: Approximately 7 minutes from the centre of Queenstown
  • Walk Time from the town centre: Not recommended to walk due to distance (around 1 hour)

Supermarkets in Queenstown City Centre

There are also some additional shops in the centre of town however these tend to be smaller.

It’s much better to shop here if you are already in town or just passing through and need to pick up something that’s pretty simple and straightforward or just some essential goods like bread eggs, fresh milk.

The traffic in the centre of town can be a little bit tricky particularly at rush-hour. You could be waiting for 20+ minutes in standstill traffic as it’s one lane only traffic and quite a lot of people trying to pass through the city centre.

Fresh choice

Fresh choice is 15 minutes from the centre of town and just a short walk from the very centre and it is the largest supermarket in Queenstown however this being said it doesn’t compare to the New World or the PA or Kmart which is located just out of the town centre in Frankston, which is about 5 to 10 minute drive.

Fresh choice is a good option for locals who just need to pick up some basics like eggs, milk bread, fruit, and veg and maybe some essentials.

• FreshChoice Queenstown:
  • Address: 64 Gorge Road, Queenstown 9300
  • Drive Time: Approximately 3 minutes from the centre of Queenstown
  • Walk Time from the town centre: Approximately 15 minutes

Raeward fresh

This supermarket is exactly exactly what I was talking about earlier in regards to locally grown produce particularly in season fruit and vegetables. They also have a great meat counter if you consume meat.

It has a very rustic view with a lot of additional produce made by local supplies in New Zealand such as local jams chutneys sources and it also has a good selection of wines local to New Zealand. New Zealand is renowned for having some great wineries in the region of central and South Island, which will be able to visit during the summer of months if you are visiting at this time.

There is limited parking space here however the fruit and vegetables are worth it.

Raeward fresh is open every day between 8 am and 6:30 pm.

• Raeward Fresh Queenstown:
  • Address: 53 Robins Rd, Queenstown 9300
  • Drive Time: Approximately 2 minutes from the centre of Queenstown
  • Walk Time from the town centre: Approximately 10 minutes

Night and day

This New Zealand owned supermarket franchise is a great little supermarket.

You will get smaller and larger food stores across the country but they are particularly helpful and you’ll find them everywhere on long highways when you’re travelling around this one in Queenstown is super useful and we popped in here a couple of times and were able to find all the fruit and veg that we needed.

• Night ‘n Day Queenstown:
  • Address: 46 Shotover St, Queenstown 9300
  • Drive Time: Approximately 1 minute from the centre of Queenstown
  • Walk Time from the town centre: Approximately 5 minutes

Macpac Outdoor equipment

Backpack is a great equipment shop for camping plus any outdoor clothing and we popped in here when I was searching for additional items and some camping gear.

Bear in mind that the prices are definitely a bit higher than some places that are out of town but the quality is generally pretty exceptional so if you need anything, you can always pop in here and have a look.

They have a lot of great geothermal, tops as well as fleece pullovers which is great for when the weather changes in New Zealand when you’re hiking.

• Macpac Queenstown:
  • Address: 36 Shotover St, Queenstown 9300
  • Drive Time: Approximately 1 minute from the centre of Queenstown
  • Walk Time from the town centre: Approximately 5 minutes

Bivouac outdoor Clothing & Camping

This shop is great if you need to pick up any outdoor clothing or equipment for road tripping around New Zealand or general outdoors activities such as hiking cycling et cetera.

We popped in here when we landed because we knew that we would be doing a huge road trip across New Zealand and found it pretty handy.

• Bivouac Outdoor Queenstown:
  • Address: 15-17 Shotover St, Queenstown 9300
  • Drive Time: Approximately 1 minute from the centre of Queenstown
  • Walk Time from the town centre: Approximately 5 minutes

Torpedo 7 Queenstown Outdoor Clothing

To 7 is an outdoor sports store in the centre of town so if you’re looking for some specific outdoor clothing then this is your best bet. Bear in mind it might be a little pricier than places like Kmart but then again you’re more likely to get some better quality items.

• Torpedo7 Queenstown:
  • Address: 100 Anderson Rd, Wanaka 9305
  • Drive Time: Approximately 1 minute from the centre of Queenstown
  • Walk Time from the town centre: 1 minute

Patagonia Queenstown

Patagonia Queenstown is super helpful if you’re in need of any sportswear or outdoor gear if like me you had to replace a pair of shoes and an extra hiking jacket, then this is your best bet.

• Patagonia Chocolates Queenstown:
  • Address: 50 Beach St, Queenstown 9300
  • Drive Time: Approximately 1 minute from the centre of Queenstown
  • Walk Time from the town centre: Approximately 5 minutes

Asian supermarkets

There’s also a bunch of Asian supermarkets in Queenstown if you are after some Asian food spices, herbs snacks already made food to go.
There is the Asian Mart at 19 shotover Street, Kim’s Asian Mart and UPlus Asian Mart as well.

Car & Campervan Rental

It’s recommended that you either hire yourself, a camper van or a car, so you can explore South Island at your heart’s desire..

Depending on what time of year it can be really busy so it is worth looking at your stay well in advance. Bear in mind cost of hotels on your itinerary South Island New Zealand.

Road trips from Queenstown

If you’re interested in road trips have a look at my Queenstown to Milford Sound road trip or Queenstown to Lake Tekapo.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Adriana! I’m constantly searching for the best places to travel to so you don’t have to! Think hidden gems but all over the world. That means I’m constantly on the road and exploring new places to visit and I have a love for photography, so it made sense to write travel guides on all the places I visit. I was born in Australia and spent my childhood in New Zealand, Poland, Dubai and England growing up and I decided to take my love of travel to the next level! Read more about me here and see my articles here.

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But honestly, on some of the days it was BOILING in the summer, and reaching highs of 30°C (86°F) if not higher. Think, you’ll burn in 15 minutes outside without sun cream.

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It’s a bit wetter too, with around 14 rainy days, but, you still get some solid daylight, about 9 hours or so.

New Zealand Weather in January

• Average temperature on North Island: 23°C (73°F)
• Average temperature on South Island: 19°C (66°F)
• Average rainy days: 8
• Average daylight hours: 15
• Average sunrise time: 6:15 AM
• Average sunset time: 9:30 PM

New Zealand Weather in February

• Average temperature on North Island: 25°C (77°F)
• Average temperature on South Island: 20°C (68°F)
• Average rainy days: 7
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New Zealand Weather in March

• Average temperature on North Island: 23°C (73°F)
• Average temperature on South Island: 18°C (64°F)
• Average rainy days: 9
• Average daylight hours: 12
• Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
• Average sunset time: 8:15 PM

New Zealand Weather in April

• Average temperature on North Island: 20°C (68°F)
• Average temperature on South Island: 15°C (59°F)
• Average rainy days: 11
• Average daylight hours: 11
• Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
• Average sunset time: 6:45 PM

New Zealand Weather in May

• Average temperature on North Island: 17°C (63°F)
• Average temperature on South Island: 12°C (54°F)
• Average rainy days: 12
• Average daylight hours: 9
• Average sunrise time: 8:15 AM
• Average sunset time: 5:30 PM

New Zealand Weather in June

• Average temperature on North Island: 15°C (59°F)
• Average temperature on South Island: 9°C (48°F)
• Average rainy days: 14
• Average daylight hours: 9
• Average sunrise time: 8:30 AM
• Average sunset time: 5:15 PM

New Zealand Weather in July

• Average temperature on North Island: 14°C (57°F)
• Average temperature on South Island: 8°C (46°F)
• Average rainy days: 15
• Average daylight hours: 9
• Average sunrise time: 8:30 AM
• Average sunset time: 5:30 PM

New Zealand Weather in August

• Average temperature on North Island: 15°C (59°F)
• Average temperature on South Island: 9°C (48°F)
• Average rainy days: 15
• Average daylight hours: 10
• Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
• Average sunset time: 6:00 PM

New Zealand Weather in September

• Average temperature on North Island: 16°C (61°F)
• Average temperature on South Island: 10°C (50°F)
• Average rainy days: 13
• Average daylight hours: 12
• Average sunrise time: 6:45 AM
• Average sunset time: 6:30 PM

New Zealand Weather in October

• Average temperature on North Island: 18°C (64°F)
• Average temperature on South Island: 12°C (54°F)
• Average rainy days: 11
• Average daylight hours: 13
• Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
• Average sunset time: 7:45 PM

New Zealand Weather in November

• Average temperature on North Island: 20°C (68°F)
• Average temperature on South Island: 14°C (57°F)
• Average rainy days: 9
• Average daylight hours: 14
• Average sunrise time: 6:00 AM
• Average sunset time: 8:30 PM

New Zealand Weather in December

• Average temperature on North Island: 22°C (72°F)
• Average temperature on South Island: 16°C (61°F)
• Average rainy days: 9
• Average daylight hours: 15
• Average sunrise time: 5:45 AM
• Average sunset time: 9:15 PM

Have a look at some of my other New Zealand articles:

• Queenstown to Milford Sound
• Accommodation at Milford Sound
• Hot Pools to visit on South Island
• Best time to visit Auckland
• New Zealand Golden Bay
• Best travel adapter for New Zealand
• Mothers day in New Zealand
• Best places to go cliff jumping in New Zealand

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