Skyline Restaurant is situated at the top of the gondola on Bob’s Peak. We had made dinner reservations and took the spectacular gondola ride to the top. The thrill was ample compensation for the NZ$14/5 adults/children cost. One of the big attractions to us was the sensational location high above Queenstown and the lake, and we had been advised to eat early if we wanted a window seat. We managed to get a window seat but thought afterwards that this was not really necessary. Anyone can go out onto the balcony to see the view and during the meal it’s the activity inside the restaurant that has most appeal.

The buffet is called a Taste of New Zealand. There are six courses and of course you can return as often as you like. Two soups, four hot entrees, and a carvery of pork, lamb and beef form the basis of the buffet. Then there is a selection of seafoods, cold meats and six different salads. The dessert table is mind blowing. If only I had not eaten so much before this. The cheeseboard also looked wonderful but there was no way I could even sample this. A singer helped the atmosphere with some great tunes.

It had been a long day so we were happy to finish with coffee and leave by 9pm. The lounge bar looked warm and inviting but we resisted. There were still people going into the buffet at this time and dishes were being regularly replaced. The time you went seemed of little importance.

email: link Open: Restaurant – noon–2pm, 6pm-late; Coffee shop – daily from 9am. Cost: buffet lunch NZ$26 adults, NZ$13 children; dinner NZ$36/18.