Listing 5 of the best road trips from Queenstown, and detailing the top things to do in each destination!
Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s biggest attractions. It’s stunningly beautiful with looming mountains all-around and a deep blue lake at its center. It’s a place of two extremes – indulgence and adventure, you can enjoy everything from high-end shopping and world-class fine dining to bungee jumping and snowboarding there. Yet no matter how amazing it is, sometimes, it is good to explore a bit further afield.
Which is why I’ve written this blog post about my favorite road trips from Queenstown. You see, I’ve been living in Queenstown for a few years now and have done all of these road trips a couple of times.
Each route below offers something special. First up, the drive to Milford Sound is an absolute must! As you wind through the stunning Fiordland National Park, you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking fjords, lush rainforests, and those iconic cascading waterfalls. It’s like stepping into a postcard!
If you’re in the mood for a charming town experience, head over to Wanaka. The journey there is just as lovely as the destination, where you can soak in the serene beauty of the lake and tackle some fantastic hiking trails. It’s the perfect spot for a leisurely day outdoors.
And let’s not forget about the drive from Queenstown to Mount Cook National Park! The road leading there is nothing short of spectacular, offering awe-inspiring views of New Zealand’s highest peak. You’ll have the chance to explore stunning glacier-filled valleys and crystal-clear alpine lakes – it’s like walking through a dream.
5 BEST Road Trips from Queenstown
Here are 5 of the best road trips from Queenstown for those who want to go for a drive. No matter which road trip you choose from Queenstown, you’re in for unforgettable views!
1. Queenstown to Mount Cook
First up on this list of the best road trips from Queenstown is the drive to Mount Cook. If you have access to a car, a road trip from Queenstown to Mount Cook is something every tourist should do. It will take over 4 hours (it’s 261 km each-way!), without stops but we definitely don’t advise not making any stops. As there’s so much to see along the way! Therefore, it makes sense to spend the night in Mount Cook village otherwise, it will be a very long day!
The best photo spot along this route though is very close to Mount Cook – it’s called Peter’s Lookout. You can see both Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki from here. There’s a car park on the right hand side as you drive into Mount Cook village, so you can safely pull off the road.
As the tallest mountain in the country, a drive to Aoraki Mt Cook will showcase incredible alpine scenery, both during the 4-hour transit and whilst you are in Mount Cook village. My favorite thing to do in Mt Cook is to walk the Hooker Valley Track, which is rated as easy and will take most people 3-hours to complete (return that is!)
There are tougher hikes here like the Sealy Tarns Track and the Mueller Hut Track if you’re keen for a challenge.
We suggest spending a night here so that you’re not doing too much driving in one day. The Hermitage Hotel, which is one of the most famous hotels on the South Island and it’s our recommended hotel in Mount Cook. It’s HUGE – with 164 rooms and the views from here are honestly unbeatable.
Make sure you pre-book a session at the wonderful Hot Tubs Omarama, which is located along the drive back to Queenstown. This is the perfect way to unwind after the drive or a day of hiking.
Top Tip: If you’re going to rent a car in Queenstown we highly recommend Discover Cars. We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars when we’re traveling. It is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
2. Queenstown to Wanaka
As it is only an hour’s drive away, heading over to Wanaka is one of the most popular day trips you can do from Queenstown. The drive takes you over the scenic Crown Ranges, which is beautiful sure, but it can be a challenge for those not used to driving in New Zealand. As it’s quite steep and winding.
Nestled at Lake Wanaka’s stunning southern end, Wanaka town is a fabulous place to visit as it has Mount Aspiring National Park and the Southern Alps in close proximity to it.
Despite being relatively close to Queenstown, Wanaka has a very different vibe to it. Many people go there because of its buzzy Cafe scene. We really like Big Fig Wanaka for our coffee fix. Additionally, it is a good spot for hiking (the famed Roy’s Peak Track is located here) and it’s home to the iconic Wanaka Tree (we’ve all seen a photo of it!)
Wanaka also has its fair share of water and other adventure sports activities like jetskiing, SUP’ing and kayaking. So, it’s similar to Queenstown in that regard. You can also go wine tasting here – we went to Rippon Winery and really enjoyed it. The views are epic and the wine is great, too!
We love staying at the Bella Vista Wanaka Motel here – just outside the town center. This 4-star property is a short walk from the lake and offers free parking and comfortable, clean rooms.
3. Queenstown to Milford Sound
Milford Sound is another bucket list destination for many tourists, and you can easily get to it on a road trip from Queenstown.
Located within the Fiordland National Park, this stunning region is defined by its deep, dark waters, brooding cliffs and raging waterfalls that creates one of New Zealand’s most intoxicating landscapes.
Many people might recognize it as a filming location in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
This is another destination that will take you about 4 hours to drive to, although in winter, it could be longer – especially on the winding section between Te Anau and Milford Sound. Before heading off, make sure you check the weather and road conditions and take notice of appropriate warnings.
Whilst at Milford Sound you should take a cruise to fully appreciate the magnificence of its natural beauty. And visit the hidden gem that is the Milford Sound Swing, as you can see from the photo above it’s SO photogenic!
4. Queenstown to Glenorchy
Google Maps will tell you that the drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy generally takes 40 minutes to complete. However, given how compelling the scenery is, don’t be surprised if it takes you two or three times as long as that! In saying that, if you only have 24 hours in Queenstown, you could squeeze in a drive to Glenorchy!
Along the way, you can stop at plenty of stunning viewpoints and remote beaches, where you can take Insta-worthy photos and generally immerse yourself in the natural beauty. One of the best viewpoints along the drive is Bennett’s Bluff, but, we also recommend stopping for an hour or so at Bob’s Cove.
Glenorchy is another place in New Zealand you might recognize from the Lord of the Rings movies. Most recognizable is probably Isengard Lookout which is in the Dart Valley. In fact, you can even sign up for a Lord of the Rings Locations Tour if you’re a fan of the film franchise.
Even if you’re not into Middle Earth, there is plenty to do in Glenorchy, including checking out its famous red shed – a former building for the NZ Railways Department. And grabbing a coffee at Mrs Wooly’s General Store. You can also walk the Glenorchy Boardwalk – it’s a scenic and easy trail.
You can also take a jet boat ride or go for a swim in the lake in the summer. However, if you happen to time your visit during the winter months, you should definitely wrap up warm. The wind of the water can be bracing to say the least.
5. Queenstown to Bannockburn
A trip to the town of Bannockburn is another relatively short drive, taking just 50 minutes to get there.
It is a terrific place to go as a family, as it has something for everyone. One of the most charming features of this former mining town is the historic stone buildings that remain standing. Most of them house local shops now, but they all give you a sense of what life was like here several decades ago.
If you love wine, this is a good place to come for tastings as both the Mt Difficulty and Carrick Winery have brilliant cellar doors. Kids should also love the opportunity to pick cherries at Cheeki Cherries and there are plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails you can explore.
Thanks for Reading!
It’s definitely fair to say that Queenstown serves as a fantastic starting point for several breathtaking road trips, each offering stunning landscapes and unique experiences.
Before you go! You may also enjoy some of other most popular blog posts, like –
48 Hours in Queenstown (A Fun Two-Day Queenstown Itinerary)
19 Most Amazing Things to Do in Queenstown in the Summer (A Unique List)
10 Best Cafes on the South Island
Last Updated on February 26, 2025 by snaphappytravel