Key facts
- Fact 01
The detour for cars runs via Gorge Road, Robins Road, Isle Street, Brecon Street, Man Street and Lake Street.
- Fact 02
Heavy vehicles detour via Gorge Road, Robins Road, Isle Street, Brecon Street, Man Street, Thompson Street and Brunswick Street.
- Fact 03
NZTA expects increased congestion in Queenstown on Friday 13 November as marathon participants and supporters arrive and check in.
- Fact 04
Rock scaling at Nevis Bluff on SH6 in the Kawarau Gorge, with holds of up to 10 minutes on weekdays, will finish by midday on Friday 13 November.
NZTA says State Highway 6A, Shotover Street in central Queenstown, is scheduled to close between Camp Street and Beach Street from 7am to 5pm on Saturday 14 November 2026 for the Queenstown Marathon. We read NZTA's traffic bulletin, published on Friday 6 November, on Saturday 7 November NZ time.
Cars will be detoured via Gorge Road, Robins Road, Isle Street, Brecon Street, Man Street and Lake Street. Heavy vehicles will detour via Gorge Road, Robins Road, Isle Street, Brecon Street, Man Street, Thompson Street and Brunswick Street.
The day before is busy too. NZTA expects increased congestion in Queenstown on Friday 13 November as participants and supporters arrive and check in, and traffic management will be in place around the Queenstown Events Centre during check in. NZTA says parking at the Queenstown Events Centre is very limited and encourages people to use the free continuous bus service between downtown Queenstown and the Events Centre, which stops at a number of places along the way and is for all athletes and supporters.
If you are driving in through the Kawarau Gorge, there is good news. NZTA says the rock scaling work at Nevis Bluff on State Highway 6, where traffic is held for up to 10 minutes at a time on weekdays, will finish by midday on Friday 13 November so it does not slow people arriving for the race.
NZTA asks road users to allow extra time on both days and to check the latest highway status on its Journey Planner before setting out.
Staying in town that weekend? Our car-free Queenstown stay guide explains how to get around without driving, and our Queenstown Airport to town guide covers your transfer options if you fly in on the Friday.
Questions visitors are asking
When is Shotover Street closed for the Queenstown Marathon?
NZTA says State Highway 6A, Shotover Street in Queenstown, is scheduled to close between Camp Street and Beach Street from 7am to 5pm on Saturday 14 November 2026 for the running of the Queenstown Marathon. A detour via Gorge Road, Robins Road, Isle Street, Brecon Street, Man Street and Lake Street will be available.
What is the detour around the Shotover Street closure?
Cars can detour around the Queenstown closure via Gorge Road, Robins Road, Isle Street, Brecon Street, Man Street and Lake Street, NZTA says. Heavy vehicles detour via Gorge Road, Robins Road, Isle Street, Brecon Street, Man Street, Thompson Street and Brunswick Street. The closure runs from 7am to 5pm on Saturday 14 November 2026.
Will traffic be busy in Queenstown on Friday 13 November?
Yes, NZTA expects increased congestion in Queenstown on Friday 13 November as marathon participants and supporters arrive and check in. Traffic management will be in place around the Queenstown Events Centre during check in, where parking is very limited, so NZTA encourages people to take the free continuous bus from downtown Queenstown.
Is the Nevis Bluff roadwork still holding traffic on race weekend?
No. NZTA says rock scaling at Nevis Bluff on State Highway 6 in the Kawarau Gorge near Queenstown, where traffic is held for up to 10 minutes at a time on weekdays, will finish by midday on Friday 13 November so it does not slow people travelling into Queenstown for the marathon.