Scenic Drives from Queenstown - Explore More at Your Own Pace

This guide to the great drives of the Queenstown-Lakes district takes no short cuts. Instead, we take the scenic route, pulling over often to marvel at the natural beauty and the hidden gems along the way. Make Queenstown your base and explore the area at a leisurely pace.

Queenstown to Glenorchy

Driving distance: 45km

Travel time: 45 minutes

This road is celebrated for its uninterrupted panoramas of Lake Whakatipu and the surrounding peaks. Considered one of the world’s great scenic drives, the spectacular drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy takes you into Lord of the Rings country. Glenorchy is one of the entrances to Te Wāhipounamu, the Southwest UNESCO World Heritage Area, a magnificent wilderness of mountains, ancient forests, and sea fiords.

Highlights & Hidden Gems

• 25km from Queenstown, Bennett’s Bluff Lookout gives sweeping views of Mount Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi and the Glenorchy area with Mount Aspiring National Park in the distance. A short, easy track from the carpark climbs up to a rocky knoll.

• Explore walks and hikes around Glenorchy from short strolls such as the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway and the Routeburn Nature Walk, to fascinating day walks such as the Invincible Gold Mine Track and the Lake Rere Track alongside the Greenstone River
• Glenorchy is also the jump-off point for three of New Zealand’s Great Walks including the Routeburn, Greenstone and Caples tracks. The Routeburn Track links Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks. The trail starts a 30-minute drive from Glenorchy. If you don’t fancy a multi-day walk, you can walk part of the Routeburn up until the Flats Hut.
• Visit Paradise 16km north of Glenorchy. This area at the head of Dart River is celebrated for its beauty. The ancient beech forests doubled for the enchanted forest of Lothlórien in Lord of The Rings. To explore the area more, book a horse trek, try the Paradise Ziplines, discover the glacier fed Dart River by boat, or explore the tracks on the Paradise property, owned by the Paradise Trust.

Tip: This is a beautiful drive in all seasons, with snowcapped mountains in winter and lush greenery in spring and summer. Take your time and enjoy the scenery. The road is narrow and winding with few passing opportunities, so be a courteous driver — use pull-in bays where available to let faster vehicles pass safely.

Queenstown to Arrowtown

Driving distance: 19km

Travel time: 20-30 minutes

There are two main driving routes from Queenstown to Arrowtown. The first is along Malaghans Road via Arthurs Point which takes you past the Shotover Jet base and the access road to Coronet Peak ski field.

The second route is via State Highway 6. Stop at Lake Hayes for a walk and to photograph the reflections of the surrounding peaks. Drop into Amisfield Winery, Mora, or Ayrburn for local wine tasting and a delicious lunch (we recommend booking in advance).

Highlights & Hidden Gems

• If you head via Arthur’s Point, stop at Shotover Jet for a thrilling ride through the  Shotover canyons or simply some great snaps of the Shotover River. Then take a detour up to the Coronet Peak lookout for 360° views of Queenstown and the Southern Alps.

• Visit the Lakes District Museum and the Chinese goldminers settlement in Arrowtown to get an insight into how people lived during the gold rush. You can even hire a gold pan and try your hand at gold panning in the Arrow River.
• Stroll along the Arrowtown River Trail. Pack a picnic – we like seasonable, local goodies from Royalburn Farm Shop. Or bring your swimsuit and look out for one of the many swimming spots under the shade of the willow trees.

Tip: Drive to Arrowtown one way and return the other for a scenic loop. Or simply catch the bus from the centre of Queenstown. Buses leave every 30 minutes in peak hours and only cost $2 with a registered Bee card. 

Queenstown to Gibbston

Driving distance: 25km

Travel time: 25-30 minutes

Take State Highway 6 past Lake Hayes. Turn right at Arrow Junction and continue onto to Gibbston – the nearest wine region to Queenstown. Known as the valley of the vines, Gibbston is part of the world’s southernmost wine region and has the highest altitude vineyards in Central Otago. The valley floor is covered with a picturesque patchwork of vines and the Kawarau River flows through a dramatic gorge.

Highlights & Hidden Gems

• At the mouth of Gibbston visit the birthplace of commercial bungy at AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge Bungy. The bungy opened in 1988, and more than 30,000 jumpers a year leap off this historic suspension bridge and plummet into the gorge below. Grab a coffee and watch the fun from the viewing platform cut into the rock face or give the big leap a go.
• Gibbston Valley Winery is where it all began. The first commercial Central Otago Pinot Noir was the 1987 vintage made by Alan Brady. Today Gibbston Valley Winery has a tasting room, restaurants, a cheesery, and an atmospheric wine cave.
• Hire a bike and explore the wineries on two wheels. You can cycle from Arrowtown along the charming Arrow River Bridges Trail which joins the Gibbston River Trail at Kawarau Bridge. Or hire bikes at Gibbston Valley Bike Centre at Gibbston Valley Winery.

Tip: Do a wine tasting (Kinross is a great place to start with wines from five local wineries) then stay for lunch at one of the winery restaurants. If you prefer to leave the car at home and take a guided tour or a bike tour, your winery tour options are here.

Queenstown to Wānaka

Driving distance: 68-113km

Travel time: 70-80 minutes

You have two options driving from Queenstown to Wānaka. The most direct and scenic route is up and over the Crown Range Road – New Zealand’s highest sealed alpine pass. This is a spectacular winding mountain road. Bring snow chains in winter.

A smoother, more gradual route is via State Highway 6 and Cromwell. Despite being a lot  further, this route doesn’t take much longer as you’re not climbing a steep alpine pass. Plus, you can stop for a stroll around Cromwell’s Heritage Precinct, treating yourself to a bag of cherries or apricots if you’re there in stone fruit season.

Highlights & Hidden Gems

• Stop for a drink at one of the oldest pubs in New Zealand. Built during the Central Otago gold rush, today the Cardrona Hotel serves thirsty skiers and hikers instead of miners. On a sunny day, you can’t beat the view from the beer garden at this picturesque pit stop, and on a cold day the cosy pub fire is a welcoming sight.
• The lookout at Crown Saddle is at the very highest point of the Crown Range pass. Stop for beautiful views over the tussock alpine landscape, and interesting interpretation panels with information on local history and geology.
• When you arrive in Wānaka, head to the lakefront for easy walks with amazing views. The Eely Point track is a gentle 1km stroll. The 2.5km Waterfall Creek track passes the famous Wānaka willow tree and Rippon Vineyard. Talking of vineyards, Rippon isn’t Wānaka’s only cellar door, so if your thoughts turn to wine after walking, choose from Nanny Goat Vineyard, Paddon’s Paddock, Maude, and Aitken’s Folly.

Tip: Whichever route you choose to Wānaka, take your time. Both roads are lined with great places to stop, snap, and snack and you can detour to Arrowtown or Gibbston enroute.

Queenstown to Kingston

Driving distance: 47km

Travel time: 40 minutes

This stunning, winding drive hugs the cliffs along the lakeshore as you skirt the Remarkables and the Hector Mountains. After an abundance of jaw dropping vistas, you arrive in picturesque little Kingston.

Highlights & Hidden Gems

• The Devil’s Staircase is a winding section of road carved out of the cliff above the lake. The lookout at the top is a particularly good spot for photos, with a wide view of the lake and the descending road as it curves around the steep, wooded bluffs.
• The Remarkables dominate the skyline from the southern end of the lake. Hike up the short but steep Shirt Tail Track until you’re above the bush line for spectacular views over the lake, Kingston, and the surrounding peaks.
• Enjoy the picnic spots and walking tracks by the water. The Te Kere Haka Track follows the lake shore to a small waterfall with views of the lake and the Hector Mountains. Or simply soak up some scenery at a lakeside picnic table. There is a sandy beach if you want to brave the icy waters of the lake and go for a swim.

Tip: Visit on a Sunday between October and May and book in advance, if you want to experience the Kingston Flyer, a vintage steam train that’s the last vestige of the once busy rail route that ran from Lake Wakatipu to Dunedin carrying wood, wool, and livestock.

Plan Your Bigger Journey

These short drives are just the beginning. Queenstown connects to New Zealand’s oldest touring route. The Southern Scenic Route  takes in Invercargill, the Catlins, and Fiordland. Queenstown is also the ideal jumping off point for the Southern Way, a network of scenic driving routes connecting Central Otago with Fiordland and Southland.