South Island | Must Do New Zealand

Updated: 30th July 2026

Crown Range or Cromwell — Choose Your Route

Wanaka to Queenstown is a short drive by South Island standards, but there are two genuinely different ways to make it. One climbs over the Crown Range, New Zealand’s highest sealed public road, through Cardrona and its famous hotel. The other follows the Kawarau Gorge via Cromwell, through Central Otago’s wine country and past the birthplace of commercial bungy jumping. Both take around an hour. Which one you choose depends on the weather, your nerves, and what you feel like seeing along the way.

At just 70 km, this is the shortest crossing in the whole journey — but don’t mistake short for uneventful. The Crown Range Road is the highest sealed public road in New Zealand, climbing in a series of tight zigzags to a summit lookout with sweeping views back over the Wakatipu Basin. The Cromwell route trades altitude for variety, tracking the Kawarau River through a gorge lined with vineyards, historic bungy jumping sites, and fruit stalls piled high with Central Otago stonefruit in season. Neither route is right or wrong — they’re simply different days out, and plenty of travellers end up doing one each way. Here’s what to expect on both.

Wanaka to Queenstown Overview — Two Routes, One Short Drive

Both routes: approx. 70 km · Drive time: around 1 hour 10 minutes (direct)

Route A — Crown Range Road

New Zealand’s highest sealed public road, climbing to 1,076 metres
Passes through Cardrona, home to the historic Cardrona Hotel
A summit lookout with sweeping views back over the Wakatipu Basin
Steep, winding, and closed at times in winter snow — chains may be required
The shorter, more dramatic of the two routes

Route B — Kawarau Gorge via Cromwell

Follows the Kawarau River through Gibbston, Central Otago’s wine country
Passes the Kawarau Bridge, the site of the world’s first commercial bungy jump
Cromwell itself is known for its summer stonefruit stalls
A gentler, lower-altitude alternative — the reliable backup in poor weather
Slightly longer, but with more to stop for along the way

Which Route Should You Take?

Choose the Crown Range if: you want the shorter, more dramatic drive, and the weather and road conditions are clear.

Choose Cromwell if: conditions are poor, you’re towing a trailer or feel less confident on winding roads, or you want to build in a wine tasting or bungy stop along the way.

Either way: fill up before you leave — Wanaka, Queenstown, or Frankton if heading out, since fuel options are limited in between.

Travelling by campervan or motorhome?
The Crown Range is fully sealed and suitable in good weather, but larger motorhomes, caravans and less confident drivers may prefer the easier Cromwell route, particularly during winter.

Route A — Crown Range Road

Cardrona itself is worth more than a passing glance. The Cardrona Hotel, built in 1863 during the gold rush, is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most recognisable pubs — even if you’re not stopping for a meal, it’s worth a photo and a wander through the gardens. Just along the road, keep an eye out for the Cardrona Bra Fence, an eccentric roadside display that’s grown from a handful of bras left on a fence into a genuine local landmark, with donations collected on-site going toward breast cancer research.

Cardrona Distillery sits in the valley too, an artisan single malt distillery producing whisky, vodka, gin, and liqueurs the traditional way, with equipment imported from Scotland and Germany. The Classic Tour ($25, around 75-90 minutes) takes you through the milling, mashing, and distilling process, finishing with a guided tasting — tours run on the hour, from 10am to 3pm, seven days a week. Tastings alone are free if you’d rather skip the full tour, and the on-site restaurant is worth a stop for lunch either way.

In winter, this stretch of road takes on a different character altogether — Cardrona Alpine Resort, just off the highway, is one of the region’s most popular ski fields, drawing visitors up from both Wanaka and Queenstown throughout the snow season. If you’re travelling in winter, it’s worth checking road conditions and carrying chains, since this is exactly the stretch of highway where they’re most likely to be needed.

For something more active outside ski season, Backcountry Saddles runs horse trekking through the historic Cardrona Valley, a relaxed way to take in the surrounding high country at a slower pace than driving through it. Good idea: book ahead — trekking spots fill up, especially over summer.

Route B — Kawarau Gorge via Cromwell

The alternative to the Crown Range follows the Kawarau Gorge, tracking the Kawarau River through gentler, lower-altitude country — a good option if the weather’s poor, you’re towing a trailer, or you’d simply rather not tackle switchbacks.

The gorge itself runs straight through Gibbston, Central Otago’s original wine country and still its most scenic stretch, with cellar doors lining the highway. Gibbston is best known for elegant, perfumed Pinot Noir, along with aromatic whites like Riesling and Pinot Gris. Gibbston Valley Winery is the region’s oldest, with a restaurant, cheesery, and the country’s largest wine cave carved into the schist. Chard Farm, just across from the Kawarau Bridge, is a small, family-run cellar door at the end of a scenic private road overlooking the river — worth booking ahead, since it can get busy.

The same stretch holds the Kawarau Bridge, the site of the world’s first commercial bungy jump — even if you’re not jumping, it’s worth a stop at the free viewing platform to watch others take the leap off the 43-metre original.

Further along, if you have time for a short detour, Bannockburn, just south of Cromwell, is worth the diversion for wine lovers — it’s the warmest, driest sub-region in Central Otago, producing bolder, more structured Pinot Noir than Gibbston’s, from producers like Felton Road and Mount Difficulty, the latter also a favourite lunch stop with sweeping vineyard views.

Cromwell itself is known for its summer stonefruit, with roadside stalls making a natural place to stretch your legs — the region’s cherries and apricots are considered some of the best in the country. Beyond the fruit, Old Cromwell Town is a small, restored historic precinct of galleries, cafés, and boutique shops, and Lake Dunstan offers an easy walking and cycling trail if you want to get out of the car for longer.

Good idea: this route is slightly longer than the Crown Range, but it’s the more reliable option in poor weather or winter conditions, and it turns a short drive into a full day out if you stop at even a few of the wineries, the bungy platform, or Old Cromwell Town along the way.

Arrowtown

Whichever route you take, Arrowtown is worth the short detour — both roads pass close enough that it’s an easy addition regardless of which way you’re heading.

A former gold-mining town on the banks of the Arrow River, Arrowtown has kept its 1860s character largely intact — a row of original miners’ cottages lines the main street, now home to boutiques and cafés rather than gold buyers. The restored Chinese Settlement tells the often-overlooked story of the Chinese miners who worked the goldfields here, with original stone huts and interpretive signage along the riverbank. For something more active, gold panning in the Arrow River is still a genuine option, and the town’s scenic cycleways make for an easy, flat ride if you’d rather explore on two wheels.

On the way in, keep an eye out for Lake Hayes, often called the “Mirror Lake” for its still reflections of the surrounding mountains — a worthwhile photo stop even if you don’t have time to linger.

Arrowtown is also known for its autumn festival, when the town’s many deciduous trees turn a spectacular gold, drawing visitors from around the country for the colour alone.

Things To Do in Arrowtown

Whichever route you take, Arrowtown is worth the detour — a former gold-mining town on the Arrow River that’s kept its 1860s character largely intact. It’s an easy add-on regardless of which road you’re driving.

From Arrowtown, the road to Queenstown is short but scenic, following the Shotover River for part of the way — the same river famous for the jet boat rides through its narrow canyons further upstream. You’ll also pass the turn-off to Coronet Peak, one of Queenstown’s ski fields, before the road descends into the Wakatipu Basin and the lake comes into view.

Arriving in Queenstown

However you’ve made your way here, both routes bring you into Queenstown, New Zealand’s self-styled adventure capital and one of the most dramatically situated towns in the country, wedged between the Remarkables and the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

There’s enough here to fill days rather than hours — bungy jumping, jet boating, skiing at Coronet Peak or The Remarkables, a cruise on the lake aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw, or simply wandering the waterfront and gondola for the view. For the full range of things worth your time, see our “Things to Do in Queenstown page” — and if you’re watching the budget after all that wine tasting, our “Free Things to Do in Queenstown page” covers plenty of ways to enjoy the town and surrounding scenery without spending a cent.

Things To Do in Queenstown

Queenstown — New Zealand’s self-styled adventure capital, wedged between the Remarkables and the shores of Lake Wakatipu. It’s a fitting place to finish this crossing, with more than enough to fill the days ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Wanaka to Queenstown Drive

Which route should I take from Wanaka to Queenstown – Crown Range or Cromwell?

Both routes take around an hour in normal conditions but offer very different experiences. The Crown Range Road is New Zealand’s highest sealed public road, climbing to 1,076 metres with steep switchbacks, spectacular alpine views and a stop at historic Cardrona. The Cromwell route follows the Kawarau River through Gibbston wine country, offering a gentler drive with wineries, the Kawarau Bungy Bridge and Old Cromwell Town. Choose the Crown Range in good weather, or Cromwell if you’re towing, driving a larger motorhome or travelling during winter.

Is the Crown Range Road suitable for motorhomes and campervans?

Yes. The Crown Range Road is fully sealed and suitable for most cars, campervans and motorhomes in good weather. However, it includes steep gradients, tight bends and can be affected by snow and ice during winter. If you’re driving a large motorhome, towing a caravan or prefer an easier drive, the Cromwell route is generally the better option.

What are the highlights of the Crown Range Road?

The Crown Range Road is the shorter and more dramatic route between Wānaka and Queenstown. Highlights include the historic Cardrona Hotel, Cardrona Distillery, horse trekking, the Crown Range Summit lookout with panoramic views over the Wakatipu Basin, and nearby Arrowtown before arriving in Queenstown.

What can I see on the Cromwell and Kawarau Gorge route?

The Cromwell route follows the Kawarau River through Central Otago’s wine country. Along the way you can visit Gibbston Valley Winery, Chard Farm, the Kawarau Bungy Centre, Old Cromwell Town, Bannockburn vineyards, Lake Dunstan and Cromwell’s famous seasonal fruit stalls before continuing to Arrowtown and Queenstown.

Are there worthwhile stops between Wanaka and Queenstown?

Yes. Both routes pass close to Arrowtown, one of New Zealand’s best-preserved gold mining towns. Depending on your chosen route, you can also visit Cardrona, Gibbston wineries, the Kawarau Bungy Bridge, Cromwell, Lake Dunstan and several scenic viewpoints. Even though the drive takes only about an hour without stops, allowing half a day gives you time to enjoy the highlights.

Is the Crown Range Road open all year?

Yes, the Crown Range Road is generally open throughout the year. During winter, snow and ice can result in temporary closures or the requirement to carry and fit snow chains. Always check the latest road conditions before travelling, particularly after heavy snowfall or icy weather. If conditions are poor, the lower-altitude Cromwell route provides a reliable alternative.