People travelling in and around Queenstown next weekend are encouraged to prepare for a major road closure and increased traffic congestion as the Queenstown Marathon event is held.

Queenstown Marathon (external link)

On Saturday 14 November 2026, State Highway 6A/Shotover Street is scheduled to be closed between the intersections of Camp Street and Beach Street, from 7am to 5pm for the running of the marathon. A traffic detour will be available via Gorge Road, Robins Road, Isle Street, Brecon Street, Man Street and Lake Street. Heavy vehicles will need to detour via Gorge Road, Robins Road, Isle Street, Brecon Street, Man Street, Thompson Street and Brunswick Street.

Road users should allow extra time for their travel due to the closure and detour on the Saturday, but also because of increased congestion expected in Queenstown on Friday 13 November as participants and supporters pour into the town and check in for the event. Traffic management will be in place around the Queenstown Events Centre as athletes check in.

There is a free continuous bus service between downtown Queenstown and the Queenstown Events Centre (stopping at a number of locations along the way) for all athletes and supporters. Parking at the Queenstown Events Centre is very limited so people are encouraged to take the bus.  

Transport map - free continuous bus service (external link)

Rock scaling work is currently underway at Nevis Bluff, in the Kawarau Gorge on State Highway 6 near Queenstown, with traffic being held at the site for up to 10 minutes at a time on weekdays; however, this work will finish up by midday on Friday 13 November so that it doesn’t impede the flow of travel by athletes and supporters into Queenstown.    

People are thanked in advance for their patience and can keep up with the latest status of the state highways on this Journey Planner site.