- Est. Median Value
- $1.01M
- Median Weekly Rent
- $500/wk
- Safety Score
- 97/100
- Green Space
- 6%
- Current Weather
- -0.7°C
- Median Age
- 52 yrs
~28 crimes/1k/yr
broken clouds
Living in Gibbston
Gibbston is the valley where Central Otago's wine industry made its most ambitious argument: that a gorge, at this latitude, in this climate, could grow pinot noir worth taking seriously. The argument won. Gibbston Valley Wines, Peregrine, Chard Farm and several others now occupy the north-facing schist terraces above the Kawarau River, and the region's wine producers have collectively convinced international critics that the 45th parallel is not a punchline.
Around 500 people live in the valley itself, a count that multiplies considerably on summer weekends when the cycle trail and the cellar doors operate at peak simultaneity. The Gibbston River Trail and the Central Otago Rail Trail's Gibbston segment thread the gorge through tunnels and terraces, delivering cyclists to wine tastings with the efficiency of a rural transport system designed by the hospitality industry.
The Gibbston Valley Caves, an old schist cave complex under the Gibbston Valley Winery, run the district's more unusual tourism product: a cave cheese and wine tasting that combines geological history with the kind of practical hospitality that cave-aged cheese requires.
Gibbston has no school of its own; the valley's children head to Arrowtown, 15 minutes west. The cellar doors handle the adult education.
Is Gibbston a good place to live?
Gibbston is home to roughly 372 people across 106.4 km². On Suburb's overall livability scale, Gibbston scores 56 out of 100, with a safety score of 97/100 and 6% green space.
Schools: Gibbston has 1 school in or near the suburb, spanning early-childhood through to secondary education. See the Schools tab below for the full list.
Housing: The estimated median value is around $1.01M, and weekly rent typically sits around $500.
Lifestyle: Gibbston has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. The current temperature is -0.7°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Gibbston is right for you depends on what you’re looking for. Use the data and community tips below to decide if it suits your lifestyle, family and budget.
Map
Livability Breakdown
- Safety97
- Amenities36
- Schools77
- Housing Affordability37
- Green space21
- Community89
- Transport19
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $1.01M
- Median Weekly Rent
- $500/wk
- Median HH Income
- $144K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- +5.1%
- Data Year
- 2023
Key Financial Indicators (NZD)
† Est. Median Value is suburb.co.nz's own estimate, modelled from available public data. We aim for accuracy, but where data is limited, estimates may be imprecise.
Nearby Suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Gibbston?
- Gibbston is in the Queenstown Lakes district, around 20 km east of Queenstown in the Kawarau Gorge on State Highway 6, New Zealand's highest wine-producing sub-region by altitude.
- What wineries are in Gibbston?
- Gibbston Valley Wines, Peregrine, Chard Farm, Brennan Wines and several others operate cellar doors in the valley, all growing primarily pinot noir on the schist terraces above the Kawarau River.
- Can you cycle through Gibbston?
- Yes. The Gibbston River Trail runs the gorge linking Arrowtown to the Kawarau Bridge area, with extensions connecting to the Central Otago Rail Trail. The trail passes several cellar doors; this is not a coincidence.
- What are the Gibbston Valley Caves?
- The Gibbston Valley Caves are natural schist caverns under the Gibbston Valley Winery, used for wine and cheese ageing and for tasting experiences that combine cave geology with Central Otago produce.
- How do I get from Queenstown to Gibbston?
- By car, around 20 minutes east via State Highway 6 through the Kawarau Gorge. By bike via the Gibbston River Trail from Arrowtown or the Arrow Junction end.
- Which schools are in zone for Gibbston?
- Children living in Gibbston are in zone for Arrowtown School. Living in a school's home zone gives a guaranteed right to enrol.
- How do I check my school zone in Gibbston?
- Use the School Zone Checker on this page. Enter your address to check your school zone and see which schools you have a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Schools & Enrolment Zones in Gibbston
Schools in zone for Gibbston
Children living in Gibbston have a guaranteed right to enrol at these school, based on Ministry of Education home zones.
Arrowtown School
Full Primary · roll 422 · decile 10
Check your school zone
School Zone Checker
Enter your address to check your school zone in Gibbston. School enrolment zones (home zones) decide which schools your child has a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Address matching is approximate and based on OpenStreetMap geocoding — confirm an exact result near a zone boundary directly with the school.
Explore Gibbston
Things to do(6)
Kawarau Bridge Bungy
Kawarau Zipride
Nevis Swing
Nevis Bungy & Swing
Oxbow Adventure Co
Nevis Bungy Swing
Parks & green spaces
Parks and reserves for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Healthcare
Pharmacies and clinics for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Eat & Drink in Gibbston
Places to eat & drink(8)
Café 88
Liquid Courage
Gibbston Tavern
Fume Wood-Fired Kitchen
The Church Cellar Door and Cafe
GT Tasting Room
Cargo Brewery
Gibbston Tavern
Tradies & Services in Gibbston
Tradies & services(2)
B&A Digging
Rock Supplies NZ
Shops in Gibbston
Shops(2)
Brennan Wines
Nevis Gardens
Beauty & Fitness in Gibbston
Beauty & fitness(2)
Nevis Bungy Swing
Oxbow Adventure Co
Stay in Gibbston
Places to stay(5)
Rum Currie's Hut
Kawarau Bridge Freedom Camping Area
Warbrick Historic Cottage Gibbston Highway
Pagan Vines Vineyard Accommodation
Mt Rosa Lodge
Gibbston Weather
Current conditions: -0.7°C, broken clouds
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 19.56 | 9.15 | 2.91 | 11.68 |
| ☀️ Feb | 17.79 | 7.98 | 2.62 | 11.14 |
| 🍂 Mar | 14.12 | 4.83 | 3.72 | 9.36 |
| 🍂 Apr | 12.56 | 3.77 | 3.22 | 7.88 |
| 🍂 May | 8.12 | 0.85 | 2.77 | 5.7 |
| ❄️ Jun | 4.97 | -0.98 | 1.84 | 5.57 |
| ❄️ Jul | 4.18 | -1.86 | 2.81 | 5.24 |
| ❄️ Aug | 4.8 | -2.62 | 2.54 | 7 |
| 🌸 Sep | 7.83 | -0.28 | 8.02 | 7.55 |
| 🌸 Oct | 10.62 | 1.11 | 5.66 | 9.2 |
| 🌸 Nov | 14.41 | 4.12 | 2.09 | 11.13 |
| ☀️ Dec | 17.84 | 8.13 | 3.5 | 11.65 |
Gibbston Community
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