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 I recommend takes you over the scenic Crown Ranges, which is beautiful, but it can be a challenge for those not used to driving in New Zealand as it’s quite steep and winding.
There are two ways to get between Queenstown and Wanaka; the easiest but less pretty option takes you via Cromwell along State Highway 6 and is around 117 km long.
But the best route to take, and the one I recommend below, follows State Highway 6A and State Highway 6 to Arrow Junction, then climbs the Crown Range Road (New Zealand’s highest sealed alpine pass) down into Cardrona and Wanaka. This route is approx. 70 km long and will take just an hour without stops. But, we recommend allowing at least 5 hours for this trip.
Where to Stop Between Queenstown and Wanaka
Arrow Junction Lookout Point
This vantage point provides a picturesque snapshot of the surrounding scenery, including the Remarkables mountain range and the serene Lake Hayes. You will find it towards the start of the Crown Range Road – around a sharpish corner. You will spot a semi-circular sign saying ‘Lake County Council,’ and there is a small area for cars to park.
Crown Range Scenic Lookout
The Crown Range Road is the highest main road in New Zealand, and this lookout (at its highest point) is a must-stop. From this lookout, you can look over the rugged mountain ranges, lush valleys, and, in the right season, snow-capped peaks that define the region’s dramatic beauty.
It’s quite steep and narrow in sections, so you will need to have your wits about you on this drive. In winter, it may be icy in parts, so winter tires are needed.
The lookout point is signposted, and you will see a small car park/ pull-off area. You will need to walk from your car to the higher lookout spot; simply follow the uphill track. From this point, you will see the town, Lake Wakatipu, and the surrounding mountains together.
Sunrise is a good time to visit when the valley below is bathed in golden hues, or at sunset when you will likely see varied pastel shades.
Cardrona Hotel
Soon you will come to the teeny-tiny town of Cardrona, which is a popular Queenstown ski resort in the winter months.
The Cardrona Hotel, one of the oldest bars in New Zealand, is located here. And we recommend stopping in here for food after the white-knuckle drive over the Crown Ranges. It’s a great spot for an alfresco lunch on a sunny day as the Cardrona Hotel has a huge beer garden.
Bradrona (Cardrona Bra Fence)
Opposite the Cardrona Hotel (well down the road a little) – Bradrona, famously known as the “Bra Fence,” a quirky installation that began in the late 1990s when a few bras mysteriously appeared on a rural fence along the road. Over time, more bras were added by visitors, turning it into a symbol of fun and community spirit.
Bradrona also raises awareness and funds for breast cancer research.
Wanaka
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 here 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!
Where to Stay in Wanaka:
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 center of town.
If you’re on a budget Adventure House Wanaka is a great shout. This homely hostel is centrally located at just a 2-minute walk to the beach, and it’s super clean.
While if you fancy splurging – Marina Views Luxury Apartment is the place for you! This super-luxurious and popular 3-bedroom apartment boasts lake views and even has access to a swimming pool.
Renting a Car in New Zealand:
For getting from Queenstown to Wanaka, we really recommend hiring a rental car as there is no public transport to here! Now, there are some private shuttle bus services that operate here, but their offerings are limited. Luckily, driving here is fairly straightforward – there are no big motorways, just single-lane highways, and it’s considered a safe place to drive.
We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars – which 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. I’ve tried many times to rent directly with the companies, and it took me a long time to filter through each company.
Be sure to check out our detailed guide to renting a car in New Zealand!
Or an even better way to see New Zealand is via campervan, there are plenty of campervan rental companies in New Zealand. We found ours through Motorhome Republic, a handy website that lists all the campervan rental companies in NZ. We eventually chose a mid-size camper with a kitchen and bathroom – and it turned out to be perfect for us.
Thanks for Reading!
Cheers for sticking with me ’til the end – we love the drive from Queenstown to Wanaka; we did it regularly while we lived in Queenstown. We took a half-day to complete it (each way), and to be honest, that amount of time really was necessary as there’s quite a bit to see along the way.
You might also like to read:
Where to Stop Between Christchurch and Queenstown
13 Amazing Things to Do in Queenstown For Outdoor Lovers
Two Week South Island New Zealand Road Trip (By a Local)
15 Best Queenstown Family Activities
Last Updated on November 4, 2026 by snaphappytravel