GENERAL FAQ’S

Escape Quest is a “escape the room” game, located in Auckland Queenstown. Teams of 2-6 people are locked in a themed room and have 60 minutes to search for clues and solve puzzles in order to solve the crime and escape the room. Escape Quest takes players back to New Zealand's gold rush and each game has its own unique storyline and puzzles based on this early settler period. We have 5 games and each has a different crime to be solved: Gold Heist in the Gold Rush, Murder in the Prince of Wales hotel 2, Murder in the Old Man Range, Jackpot in the Miner’s Cottage and Stick Up In The Pub. Escape Quest has 3 game rooms per location and each team of 2-6 people have their own dedicated, private game room. You’ll also have your own dedicated Escape Quest Game Master who will ensure your experience is fast paced and great fun. If you have a group larger than 6 people, you can book multiple rooms. We have a gorgeous, comfortable lounge area so it’s perfect for larger groups including corporates, sports teams, hens & bucks parties. Escape Quest is not scary and does not require any physical strength or fitness. It’s a fun, safe environment, so it’s great for all ages from 7 years and up. We recommend that children between 7 and 14 years are accompanied by an adult. Whilst the level of problem solving is likely to be too difficult for children under 7, they often enjoy the hunting and the exciting atmosphere. Whilst the rooms are locked, players can exit the room at any time via a release button. This release button is not part of the game but is there for your comfort and safety. You can also communicate with your Escape Game Master at any time throughout the experience. Escape Quest has fantastically themed game rooms that offer an unrivalled experience. After you’ve played the game you can also dress up in Victorian period costumes and have team photos. We’re open 7 days per week from 10am to late. To book your experience, please click on the “book now” button and select your preferred day and time.

Escape Quest is an incredibly fun way to spend 90 minutes!! It’s challenging, surprising, intriguing, inspirational, bonding and just amazing fun! You’ll learn so much about yourself and your friends, family, colleagues or partner as you work together in a race against the clock to the escape the room in 60 minutes. It’s genuinely social and interactive as a live experience. It’s a new, exciting concept that everyone can play together. Being located in Queenstown and Auckland, Escape Quest will also introduce you to this beautiful region’s colourful, gold rush history. Our games are based on real New Zealand gold rush crimes, locations and people. As you step back in time in the 1860s and 1870's, you’ll be immersed in our stunning gold rush themed game rooms. It’s an exhilarating experience, especially when you escape in time!!

Select “book now” on the website’s menu bar and follow the prompts to select your preferred day and time and complete payment. We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover & PayPal for payment on our website. We don’t accept American Express or Discover over the counter. Alternatively, please call us on +64 (0)3 442 4948 and we can book your experience over the phone. Please note that Escape Quest is a live escape game and consequently once a booking is confirmed we cannot offer refunds.

Integrated mechanics: Each game here at Escape Quest has its own unique narrative, along with its own order of play for a successful escape. We don’t want to give too much away, but appearances aren’t everything and some objects and features of the room may not always be what they seem. We want this experience to be both visually and mentally stimulating so in some cases, discovering or accessing a puzzle could be just as engaging as trying to solve it! Integrated technology: These games were all built from scratch by our talented creative team, who have used technology in clever ways to make your game experience more enjoyable! Whilst our themes remain true to New Zealand in the 1860s and 1870's, beneath the surface the design is much more 21st century which we hope adds an extra level of fun and mystery to the experience!

Yes it is! Escape Quest is challenging, rewarding and awesome fun! Escape games are designed to challenge how you think, solve problems, connect disparate information and process it all with your teammates. All whilst trying to escape as fast as possible!

We recommend allowing 90 minutes to complete an Escape Quest game. You’ll need a few minutes before you start the game to check in and be briefed by your Escape Quest Game Master. The game itself is a maximum of 60 minutes. You’ll also have the opportunity to dress up in Victorian costume and have team photos after you’ve completed the game.

We recommend arriving 5-10 minutes prior to your game start time to allow time to check in. We have a super comfortable lounge area for you to wait in.

Prices are NZ$38-$49 per person depending on the number of people per room. Please click on “Book Now” to view a full list of pricing.

Escape Quest is a world class escape game and is as challenging as anything you will find in London, New York or Singapore. All our quests are challenging, otherwise it wouldn’t be fun! We think you’ll have the most fun playing either Gold Heist in the Gold Rush or Murder in the Prince of Wales 2 first, irrespective of being a first time player or highly experienced. We recommend Murder in the Old Man Range as an excellent second or third game experience. All our quests are unique and amazing so take the journey and do all 5! Escape with an all-time record and your team photo will be placed in our escape hall of fame!

No, Escape Quest is a fun, safe environment suitable for all ages above 7 years old. It’s a thrilling experience racing against the clock to solve puzzles and crack codes, but it is not at all frightening. Whilst the game room is locked, there is a release button beside the door that enables you to leave the room at any time during the game. This release button is not part of the game, it is there to ensure your comfort and safety.

Escape Quest is great for children aged 7 years and up. We recommend that children aged 7-14 are accompanied by an adult. Whilst the level of problem solving is likely to be too difficult for children under 7, they often enjoy the hunting and the exciting atmosphere.

Each game room can accommodate 2-6 players. If you have a group of 6 or more people, you can book multiple rooms. Escape Quest has a total of 6 rooms, 3 per location. We have a gorgeous, comfortable lounge area so it’s perfect for larger groups including corporates, sports teams, hens & bucks parties. If you have a larger group, please feel free to call us on +64 (0)3 442 4948 and we can help you book the right rooms and times for your group. Click “book now” to view all the games and rooms available.

You can contact us via email queenstown@escapequest.co.nz, and our management will get back to you in 2-3 business days.

Yes! Different murder, storyline and game, same 1860’s location! In the 1860s the Prince of Wales hotel stood close to where Escape Quest is today. Murder in the Prince of Wales 2 is based on a real gang of Central Otago gold rush bandits. As our newest game, this sequel takes the escape experience to a whole new level!

Yes they are! The Photo is included free of charge when you play at Escape Quest. The photo will be send via email with in 24h of your visit. If you have not received your photos please contact us under queenstown@escapequest.co.nz

A husband and wife team (Australian and Kiwi) created and opened Escape Quest Queenstown in December 2014. They always had a dream of living in Queenstown, both love puzzles and have backgrounds in Management Consulting and Technology Sales. Their passion for Central Otago and the pioneering, gold rush era was poured into Escape Quest’s 1860s theming, storylines, crimes and characters. All six of Escape Quest’s unique, bespoke games have been handcrafted utilising mechanics, technology and antiques! In 2023, Escape Quest decided to open a second location in Auckland, Takapuna.

Yes they are! All of our games are designed to be challenging for 2-7 people and our highly trained staff know the games inside and out. We believe using QR codes in the rooms or having to ask for hints in person or via an intercom erodes the team working together and the immersiveness of the game. We don’t give hints for the sake of it, if you do get hint’s (by far the majority of teams do!) we’re always trying to subtly push you in the right direction rather than just give you the answer.

Yes it is! Escape Quest is an excellent Corporate team building experience, please see our dedicated page here for further details.

It’s absolutely the best way to get the party started. Please see our dedicated page here for all the details.

Yes, absolutely! Escape Quest can accommodate mulitple teams per session with each team consisting of up to 6 people. Teams race the clock to escape in under one hour and also race head to head with each other to escape first. For groups larger that 30, multiple sessions can be booked and groups of up to 30 can be rotated with other activities in Queenstown. Escape Quest can provide up to 8-10 sessions per day.

Yes it is! We have the ability to incorporate product placement within the games, host your brand in our plush reception area and provide branding in the reception area and team photos. Promoting your brand or product via Escape Quest allows for a fun, engaging, interactive and memorable experience that will have teams of customers talking about your product for hours afterwards. A brand/company can book Escape Quest exclusively then promote the event through their social and traditional media channels. Email queenstown@escapequest.co.nz to discuss the possibilities and your requirements.

No it’s not. Escape Quest is a fully independent escape game that is not associated with any other NZ based escape game or global franchise. Every element of Escape Quest from the marketing to the games has been designed and created from scratch by our talented, creative team.

No they aren’t. We don’t allow them in for a number of reasons. First off we don’t want you to know what you’re walking into. The world is filled with second hand information, it’s great to be surprised by what’s inside! The majority of people are addicted to mobile phones, leaving them behind promotes great team work, communication and being present in the room rather than endlessly scrolling through your news feed!

Reasonable English is required. All of our games are in English but not all of the puzzles require it. Without giving away what’s in the rooms, if you can read and understand this you should be able to play just fine. Many teams have played with 2nd or 3rd language English, take a look at our Trip Advisor reviews in German, Italian, Spanish, French & Russian.

Yes, absolutely! Everything you need to escape the room is in the room. No prior knowledge of Queenstown’s History or Geography is required.

Yes they are! Please click Book Now and then click Buy Voucher. To Redeem a voucher click Redeem Voucher in the same location.

Yes, absolutely! A little bit of reading is required to complete our quests

Yes, it is! Lift access is available from the ground floor up to Escape Quest on level one. We recommend playing Gold Heist In The Gold Rush or Jackpot In The Miners Cottage.

Yes, 100%! This is not a video game. It is an intuitive experience made for everyone, from 12 to 82. If you know how to talk, listen, walk and grab objects, you have all the skills needed to make it. The experiences are non violent and focused on cooperation between players. Excellent for families! Perfect for corporate events.

It is made for teams! You cannot escape alone! You must work together, and everyone has a role to play. The key to success is to talk, listen and collaborate. And High Five when you are done!

No worries! Ubisoft Escape Games are designed to avoid motion sickness. A common trigger for motion sickness comes from bad performance or low frame rate, issues Ubisoft have accounted for when designing the game. Less than 1% of our players experience motion sickness.

Your feet will always touch the floor, you are 100% safe, but your brain might think otherwise ☺ Our experiences can be challenging for people with strong fear of heights! But they are also amazingly rewarding when you go through!

Yes, our headsets are able to accommodate most glasses. However, we cannot guarantee all prescription glasses will fit within the VR headset. Those who are able to seek alternatives, such as contact lenses, are encouraged to do so.

your specific chair. Please call or email Escape Quest to discuss your options.

Approximately 1.5km on level ground that is wheel chair accessible.

Yes, this experience is fine weather dependent, please check conditions before booking you Outdoor Escape

For large group bookings please contact us on email below, we can currently host groups of 30+ or even more with notice: queenstown@escaepquest.co.nz

Book multiple slots at the same time and race to complete your mission first.

Only with at least 1 hearing able person in the team. We plan to add accessibility and language features soon.

We recommend 14 years and over or any age with accompanying adults.

Yes, absolutely! A number of clues are provided for each puzzle with no penalty (time etc) for use. We encourage you to use them if you are stuck.

Intermediate depending on how many clues you choose to use.

Yes, absolutely! Everything you need to escape is provided. No prior knowledge of Queenstown’s history or geography is required.

Yes, it is! Completely new and made from scratch right here in Queenstown, NZ.

No, The Lost Artifact requires walking within Queenstown's CBD only.

If your device is under 3 years old, it should support the app. Try downloading the app first before purchasing the game. Supported Platform is Android. Android versions 27, 28 and 29+. iOS is currently unavailable!

Please check your SPAM folder first, the email will be from printplayescape.com. If nothing has arrived within 24h of purchase then please reach out to us via email with name and email used for puchase queenstown@escapequest.co.nz

Please go to our play at home page and download the latestest version of the Empire Escape app.

Each team needs to purchase a copy of the game. Individual teams will need to download the print the mission dossier and then get ready to play. If playing Empire Escape, each team will also need to have the app downloaded to a device. Set up a zoom/skype session with teams and let the banter begin. Once all teams are ready, simultaneously press the start game button and try to Escape first!

It's not recommended. We suggest one person logs into the online game system and shares screen via Zoom/Skype if team members are in separate locations.

Yes it is when playing Missing Gold Escort, but only one team member needs a printed copy. This can then be shared via Zoom/Skype to the rest of the team in any location. Printing is only required before the game starts. No printing is required during game time. Printing is HIGHLY recommended but not essential for Empire Escape.

We HIGHLY recommend printing the dossier, but it is possible to play without printing. A tablet can be used to display the dossier and the Augmented Reality puzzles. There are two paper only based puzzles that will be difficult to complete without printing. Photos are provided in the clues to help with these two puzzles if you do not have access to a printer.

No, the .pdf dossier should be printed before the game starts and only needs to be printed once.

Yes, absolutely! Closed captions are provided for any audio components of the game.

Yes, absolutely! There is no game expiry. Once purchased, access code and all materials and instructions are provided. The game only begins once you have pressed the start timer button in the online game system. You can take as long as you like to play the game but the game can only be played once.

You can only play the game once with each purchased access code.

Yes, absolutely! A number of clues are provided for each puzzle with no penalty (time etc) for use. We encourage you to use them.

Yes, this is a new Escape Room game concept and it's important to read and follow the instructions provided. Instructions are provided in the order confirmation email and also on the online game system as you play. These are instructions, not clues, so please follow them. Follow the cut instructions prior to starting your Escape Room game. Follow the fold instructions provided in the online game system as you play.

The .pdf dossier is approx. 15 pages, but you don't need to print the first cover page or a few others. If a page has cutting guides it needs to be printed.

No. Black and White printing only at this stage.

Yes, an internet connection is required to play the game.

It's not recommended. The online game interface is designed to be used on a iPad/Laptop sized device so you can see the clues/maps/videos etc clearly.

Advanced depending on how many clues you choose to use.

Yes, absolutely! Everything you need to escape is provided. No prior knowledge of Queenstown’s history or geography is required.

Yes, it is! Completely new and made from scratch right here in Queenstown, NZ.