Lake Wanaka - World's First Lifestyle Reserve

Wanaka to Queenstown Self Drive

 

Christchurch to Invercargill via West Coast	Nelson to Queenstown via West Coast	Christchurch to Wanaka & Queenstown via Mt Cook
Queenstown to Milford Sound	Dunedin to Queenstown via the Catlins	Dunedin return via Oamaru, Queenstown and Catlins
Blenheim to Nelson		Back to South Island Itineraries

	Route Overview – via the Crown Range From the beautiful lakeside town of Wanaka you travel up the Cardrona Valley over the highsest sealed state highway in New Zealand to Queenstown. The route travels through merino sheep stations past Cardrona and over a high country tussock pass down to the Wakatipu Basin towns of Arrowtown and Queenstown.
Historic Cardrona Hotel 20, April 2010 Queenstown 15, April 2010	Map Wanaka to Queenstown 21, September 2011

Wanaka to Cardrona - 25 minutes, 34km

• Just as you head up the Cardrona Valley there is an opportunity to view Mt Aspiring behind the other mountains
• Just before you reach the township of Cardrona you’ll pass the access roads to three major skifields – Cardrona Alpine Resort, Snow Park and Snow Farm.
• Soak up the retro sheep station décor in the famous Cardrona Hotel & Pub.
• Just down from the pub you’ll find the quaint Cardrona School House, imagine going to school here decades ago.
• Relishes Café, Wanaka – Has a great range of baked goods. A favourite with the locals.
• Kai Whakapai Café, Wanaka – The name means ‘food made good’ Lake views and tasty cabinet food.
• Lago – Stylish décor and a great brunch menu.
• Cafe Fe on the way out of town

Cardrona to Arrowtown - 30 minutes, 38 km:

• Cardrona Hotel & Pub, Cardrona - Enjoy Devonshire tea and scones by the roaring fire or a Speights beer and a bowl of wedges out in the beer garden
• From alpine lake country you’ll follow the Cardrona River through the Cardrona Valley until it dwindles at its source near the Crown Range saddle.
• The Crown Range road twists and turns through farmland to alpine tussock covered mountains until you reach the summit of NZ’s highest highway at 1121 metres. Take a moment to stop at the lookout for your first view of the Wakatipu basin.
• Take a short walk up from the Crown Range summit to the lookout for even more spectacular views.
• From the saddle wind your way down to the Crown Range Terrace where various lookouts offer panoramic views of Arrowtown and the Wakatipu basin, with Queenstown in the distance. A famous zigzag road leads you steeply down to the valley floor.
• Turn off to Arrowtown, a settlement that retains its old fashion charm and gold mining history.
• Discover gold! Hire a pan and go gold panning in the Arrow River or walk around the historic Chinese Settlement Village.
• For a taste of local history visit the Lakes District Museum in Arrowtown.
• Buckingham Street in Arrowtown – There’s plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from in Arrowtown, explore the small courtyards and alleyways off Buckingham Street. Look at for the local bakery and their pies!

Arrowtown to Queenstown - 20 minutes, 20 km:

• Look down on the steep walls of the Shotover Canyons from the Shotover bridge, just pass Arthur’s Point
• Head down to the shore of picturesque Lake Hayes, NZ’s most photographed lake.
• Beech Street and The Mall, Queenstown – Enjoy alfresco dining or fresh coffee at one of the many eateries Queenstown has to offer.

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