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New to Queenstown? Then this detailed blog post on all of the supermarkets in the area is exactly what you need. It details each supermarket’s location, whether it’s value-for-money or high-end, if it has a loyalty card scheme, and how much parking is available.
If you plan on living in Queenstown or are even visiting for more than a few days you’ll want to get familiar with the supermarkets in the Queenstown area. There are six in total and each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
For value for money, you will need to head out to Frankton (about a 15-minute drive from Queenstown CBD). In Frankton is where you will find the larger and budget-friendly supermarkets such as Pak n Save, Countdown, and New World. For sheer convenience, there are three small supermarkets within walking distance of town – FreshChoice, Raeward Fresh, and Alpine Supermarket. I’ve also listed a few specialty Asian supermarkets on this list too.
It took a bit of shopping around for me to find my favorite supermarket in Queenstown when I first moved there, but even though I have a favorite I still shop at other supermarkets because they stock specialized items or are convenient.
Every local has their favorite supermarket in Queenstown. I wonder which one will be yours!
Did you know: “Supermarket” is the term Kiwis most commonly use for “Grocery Stores”
Where are the Supermarkets in Queenstown
There are several different supermarkets in and around Queenstown. The map above shows them all so that you can find the supermarket closest to you.
Worth noting is that the larger and cheaper supermarkets are all located in Frankton just outside of downtown Queenstown. For a large grocery shop, head out that way. If you only need a couple of things, then the Alpine Supermarket in town or one of the Asian markets will likely suit you.
Below is more information on all of the supermarkets in Queenstown so that you know exactly what to expect!
About the Supermarkets in Queenstown
1. Countdown
- Location: Five Mile Shopping Center, Frankton, Queenstown
- What it’s good for: Great loyalty card program called the OneCard, good quality produce, and bakery/deli
Countdown is to New Zealand what Woolworths is to Australia. Both Countdown and Woolworths are part of the same corporation and are known for their great offers, large stores, and excellent loyalty card program.
Countdown Queenstown is located at the Five Mile Shopping Center in Frankton which is a 15-minute drive from Queenstown town center.
As mentioned, Countdown has a great loyalty card called One Card which gives you discounted prices on many shelf items. Countdown also runs excellent weekly offers – you can check the offers out on their website or on the flyers in-store. The store itself is an easy-to-follow layout and is spacious.
Countdown has a great beauty/toiletries aisle as well as a large fruit and veg section (possibly the largest of all the supermarkets listed here). There’s also an international food section here with British and American products – great if you’re missing the taste of home.
It’s easy to park in the large parking lot at the Five Mile shopping center (there are hundreds of spaces) or you may choose to park in the underground parking lot on a rainy day.
The number 2 and 5 bus stops are a few meters away and the same buses will take you back into Queenstown. So, it’s super convenient for those without a car. Warehouse and K-Mart are nearby if you need to get any homeware or clothing.
Countdown Queenstown is open every day from 7 am – 10 pm too!
I myself do not shop at Countdown. I personally find the store more expensive than my favorite grocery store (read below for that). However, if you’re only visiting for a short amount of time and simply want quality products it’s a really good choice, especially with the easy-to-follow layout and signage.
2. New World
- Location: Remarkables Park, Frankton, Queenstown
- What it’s good for: Best quality fruit and veg, and the bakery/in-house ready meals are amazing
New World tends to be the most popular choice for long-term locals. It is located at Remarkables Park Shopping Center (close to the airport) and is a 15-minute drive from Queenstown CBD. It is slightly smaller in size than nearby Countdown and Pak n Save.
New World Queenstown has a great fruit and veg section and tends to stock out-of-season and more unusual items (although these can be costly). The bakery section here is the best of all the supermarkets on this list and their deli is an excellent option for a fresh and yummy sandwich.
There are lots of choices too in their shelf items including specialist Asian cuisine items, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets. They also have a decent-sized international food section with mostly British, American, and Eastern European products.
The New World Clubcard gives special discounts on certain products to its members and members can earn Flybuy points (aka Airpoints dollars) with every $25 you spend on qualifying items.
Parking here is easy with a large outdoor car park offering plenty of spaces. If you don’t drive, bus route 1 service Remarkables Park Shopping Center.
New World Queenstown is open every day from 7:30 am to 10 pm
Once again, I don’t really shop at New World. It’s really similar to Countdown and although a really great place to shop it can be more expensive. With that said, I do stop in on occasion to grab a quick lunch to-go from the bakery or deli.
Related Read: Check out some of the best restaurants in Queenstown as well as the best cafes in Queenstown for other places to grab a bite to eat!
3. Pak n Save
- Location: 302 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton, Queenstown
- What it’s good for: Fantastically low prices and a large selection of products
This is the best supermarket in Queenstown if you’re on a budget with big savings to be had here. Pak n Save Queenstown is huge and is certainly the biggest supermarket in the area.
It is very popular and can get very busy, especially between 5 and 7 pm. Their motto is “New Zealand’s lowest food prices”, what you will find on the shelves here are lots of home-brand items and it can be hard to find up-market brands or specialty items here. I’d compare it to a Costco but the quality isn’t as good (I miss Costco so much!)
Pak n Save has a great hot food section too and its chicken and chips option is very popular with locals looking for a cheap lunch. All the hot food items are reasonably priced too.
It is easy to park here with a large outdoor parking lot. Bus numbers 2 and 5 stop on the main road, just a few minutes walk away.
Pak n Save doesn’t offer a loyalty card anymore but all customers can get a 10-cent discount per liter of fuel for every $1 they spend on groceries. There’s an adjoining petrol station a few meters from the parking lot where you can use this discount and the fuel here is usually cheaper anyway.
Pak n Save Queenstown is open every day from 7 am – 10 pm.
I myself use Pak n Save for my large shop every week, however, without going often it’s hard to find specific items, and it’s certainly not fancy. They also do not have a good bakery section. It’s cheap and that’s why I love it!
4. FreshChoice
- Location: 64 Gorge Road, Queenstown
- What it’s good for: Short walk from Queenstown CBD, great alcohol selection
This is the largest supermarket in Queenstown CBD, although nowhere near as big as the supermarkets in Frankton (Countdown, New Word, and Pak n Save). It’s a popular option with people staying in town as lots of hotels and hostels are located nearby. FreshChoice also has a decent alcohol section with great craft beers from Queenstown breweries and others around NZ. The meat section is also good value for money.
It is quite a small supermarket and the aisles are narrow and can be awkward to navigate with a trolley. So, at busier times (after 5 pm) I tend to just use a basket for ease and only do small shops mid-week.
FreshChoice is a 15-minute walk from the center of Queenstown via Gorge Road or if you have a car there’s a decent-sized underground parking lot. Bus route number 2 stops on the road close by.
FreshChoice Queenstown is open every day from 7 am – 10 pm.
I myself love FreshChoice for my mid-week shop/when I forget something. It’s close to town, and has a good selection of fresh fruit and veg and other items. It is more expensive simply because it is smaller and the location, but considering how close it is to town, it’s worth it!
5. Raeward Fresh
- Location: 53 Robins Road, Queenstown
- What it’s good for: Local produce – especially locally grown fruit, vegetables, and meat
A more upmarket supermarket specializing in locally and ethically sourced fruit, vegetables, and meat. On the shelves, you will find products from New Zealand’s top artisan producers. There’s also a wide and great selection of local Central Otago wines in the alcohol section. In my opinion, this is the best option if you’re looking to treat yourself or impress friends with a home-cooked meal.
This is a small supermarket and is more like a large corner store. There is limited outdoor parking outside. Bus number 2 stops on Gorge Road nearby, however, you can walk here from Queenstown CBD – it will take about 15 minutes along Gorge Road.
Join Raeward’s Fresh Club and get weekly specials emailed to you and get a free coffee and cake from their cafe on your birthday!
The cheese counter is a must for cheese lovers because they do free tastings! Excellent cake, coffee, and other counter items are served in the cafe attached. You must try the lemon syrup cake from here!
Raeward Fresh is open every day from 8 am – 6:30 pm.
For me, Raeward Fresh is the supermarket I go to when I want to cook a special meal at home or spoil my friends and family who come to visit me in Queenstown. Its local produce from smaller suppliers means the quality is high. With that said, come prepared to spend a bit more!
6. Four Square Alpine Supermarket
- Location: Corner Stanley & Shotover Street, Queenstown
- What it’s good for: Right in Queenstown CBD
Right in the center of Queenstown on the corner of Stanley and Shotover Streets is this popular but small supermarket. It is pricier than the supermarkets in Frankton but for sheer convenience, it wins hands down. It has a small selection of frozen food, fridge food, shelf items, confectionery, and alcohol. Basically, all you need but if you’re after a specific item, you may need to head out to the larger supermarkets in Frankton.
Part of the popular Four Square chain of supermarkets which has a whopping 240 locations throughout New Zealand, Alpine Queenstown shouldn’t be overlooked for those with limited time. You know, so you can spend more time doing amazing activities in Queenstown.
As I said, this is a smaller supermarket (no need for a trolley here) but it stocks basics you might need. Because of its location and limited selection, it is more expensive than the other supermarkets on the list.
There’s a liquor store next door – Henry’s which is open from 10 am – 9 pm on weekdays and 10 am – 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Alpine Supermarket is open from 7 am to 9 pm every day.
7. Asian Supermarkets
There are a few small Asian supermarkets in Queenstown if you’re after specific Asian food items like herbs, spices, snacks, and more.
- Asian Mart at 19 Shotover Street in Queenstown CBD is the largest and has the biggest selection. It is open daily from 10 am – 8 pm.
- Kim’s Asian Mart at Queenstown Central Shopping Center in Frankton. Open from 9 am to 8 pm daily.
- UPlus Asian Mart on Hawthorne Drive is open from 10 am to 6:30 pm (closes at 6 pm on Sunday).
Also in Queenstown CBD are the Night ‘n Day stores on Shotover Street and Camp Street – which are open 24 hours a day and stock a limited selection of grocery items, drinks, and confectionery.
Spending more time in New Zealand? Read about the most stunning places to visit in NZ!
Thanks for reading!
There are many supermarket options in Queenstown and I hope this blog post has helped you find the best one for you. Depending on your budget, occasion, and length of time you’re spending in Queenstown there really is something for everyone.
Thanks so much for visiting My Queenstown Diary. I hope you loved this guide to the best supermarkets in Queenstown! If you did, then browse around some more, there are many more exciting things to read about Queenstown! I’ve listed some of my favorites below:
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