The drive from Christchurch to Queenstown is arguably one of the most popular (and prettiest) drives in New Zealand. This well-trodden route takes in popular tourist stops like Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook as well as lesser-known stops like Burkes Pass and Lake Pukaki.
The drive from Christchurch to Queenstown is 482 km (299 miles) on the shortest route; this route takes 6 hours without stops. There is a slightly longer route (6 hours and 45 minutes all in) that follows the SH1 past Timaru and Oamaru – but it’s less scenic.
The route I recommend taking is the State Highway 8 road, which passes Lake Tekapo, Twizel, and Wanaka.
Whether you take the short or the longer route, I advise allowing a few days to drive from Christchurch to Queenstown to ensure you see all the stops properly. And of course, you could also do this road trip in reverse – starting in Queenstown and ending in Christchurch.
BEST Places to See Between Christchurch and Queenstown
There are so many great places to stop on the drive from Christchurch to Queenstown, and some are quick stops like Burkes Pass and Fairlie, and others like Mount Cook and Wanaka require more time (or even a few nights).
As I mentioned, the route I will describe in this blog post is the longer driving route via Lake Tekapo, which is 482 km (299 miles). I recommend allowing 3 full days for this road trip, spending the night in Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, and Wanaka.
Keep in mind the weather when driving this route, as conditions can get pretty snowy and icy during the Winter months, especially around the Lindis Pass and the Crown Ranges.
💡Tips for this drive:
- If you need to rent a car, then we highly recommend 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.
- The weather can be unpredictable, especially during the winter months when roads may be icy or snow-covered. Check road conditions beforehand, especially for the Lindis Pass.
- Fuel stations can be sparse along the route, particularly between towns. Ensure your tank is full when leaving Christchurch, and fill up again in larger towns like Geraldine or Tekapo.
1. Fairlie/ Fairlie Pies
It’s around a 2 hour and 20 minute drive from Christchurch to our first recommended stop – Fairlie. It is here in this tiny, middle-of-nowhere town that you’ll find the best pies in New Zealand – and I’m not talking about the sweet kind. Nope, New Zealanders love savory pies – meat and veg encased in yummy pastry.
At Fairlie Bakehouse, you can expect to queue for a pie as it’s well-known with locals and tourists for its generous fillings and buttery, flaky crusts. The bakery uses high-quality, locally sourced ingredients to ensure each pie is bursting with flavor, whether it’s a classic steak and cheese or a more adventurous venison and cranberry.
2. Burkes Pass
Around 30 minutes from Fairlie is the historic teeny-tiny village of Burkes Pass. It looks like a movie set and is home to the eclectic Three Creeks Shop (which sells art, giftware, collectables, and furniture), a lovely heritage walk, and the charming St. Patrick’s Church.
3. Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo is like a painting; the lake here is known as the bluest in the country, and it’s also backdropped by the snowcapped peaks of Mount Cook National Park.
But, my favorite thing to do here is to hike up to Mount John Summit via the Lakeshore Track (I’m a hiker!). This trail starts from the hot springs and is 8.5 km each way. It provides awesome views of the lake and town. At the summit, you’ll find a great Cafe, called the Astro Cafe, and the Mount John Star Gazing Observatory – another awesome stargazing spot.
One of the must-see attractions here is the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, a charming stone chapel that sits at the edge of the lake.
As for the best time to visit Lake Tekapo, I say aim for lupin season, which runs from November to the start of February. During these months, the area is especially photogenic as the colorful lupins grow along the shores of the lake. These pink and purple flowers are actually weeds, but that’s a story for another day!
Where to Stay in Tekapo:
We decided to splurge on Peppers Bluewater Resort for our night in Tekapo. This 5-star hotel offers glorious views of the lake and our room here was spacious.
4. Lake Pukaki
Possibly the most eye-catching spot on this list, Lake Pukaki is just 45 minutes from Tekapo and is on the road to Mount Cook. The lake actually provides one of the best viewpoints of Mount Cook on a clear day.
This glacial lake owes its striking color to finely ground rock particles, or “glacial flour,” suspended in the water, reflecting the blue spectrum of sunlight. The lake is especially beautiful in lupin season (from late November to January).
5. Mount Cook
Around an hour and 15-minute drive from Tekapo is the mighty Mount Cook, aka the tallest mountain in the country. It stands at an impressive 3,724 meters tall! And let me tell you, the drive into Mount Cook Village from Lake Tekapo is one for the bucket list!
FYI, this is a detour off the road to Queenstown, but one we highly recommend taking.
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!) The trail boasts breathtaking views of glaciers, rivers, and the iconic Mount Cook itself.
Please note, the second half of the Hooker Valley track is closed and is expected to re-open in Autumn 2026! You can keep an eye on updates for the track here.
There are tougher hikes here, like the Sealy Tarns Track and the Mueller Hut Track, if you’re keen for a challenge.
If you’re keen for something a little different, why not consider a guided glacier tour or a scenic helicopter ride of Mount Cook and the glaciers to experience the majestic landscape from above. It’s just under an hour-long tour and includes a landing on a glacier, so cool!
Stargazing is another highlight here, as Mount Cook lies within the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve. An area that offers some of the clearest night skies in the world. Lastly, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, which provides insight into the history of the region and the legendary mountaineer himself.
Where to stay in Mount Cook:
We spent a night at The Hermitage Hotel, which is one of the most famous hotels on the South Island. It’s HUGE – with 164 rooms and the views from here are honestly unbeatable. There’s a Cafe and bar/restaurant on-site, from which the views are insane!
6. Twizel
Once you rejoin the motorway from the Mount Cook Road, it’s a short 20-minute drive into Twizel.
The scenery here is simply breathtaking, with the majestic Southern Alps and the sparkling turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki creating a picturesque backdrop that’s hard to beat. One of the unique features of Twizel is its incredible night sky. As part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, it’s a paradise for stargazers looking to soak in the beauty of the night sky.
Twizel is also a popular spot with Lord of the Rings fans as the Battle Of Pelennor Fields scene in The Return Of The King was shot in nearby Ben Ohau Station. However, you can only visit here on a guided tour (you can book it through your hotel or at the tourist office in Twizel).
7. Omarama
Next, you’ll come to the tiny town of Omarama, which has a small supermarket and a few restaurants. One of the best parts about visiting this charming town is undoubtedly the chance to relax in the natural hot tubs here.
Imagine soaking in warm, pure mountain water while surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the mountains and valleys! It’s the ultimate way to unwind after a day of driving. The Hot Tubs Omarama is a wonderful way to connect with nature and treat yourself! Prices start from $100 NZD per person for a 90-minute session.
A worthy coffee pitstop here is the Pink Glider Cafe, which is tucked away down next to the airport in Omarama. Sit outside and watch the small planes take off and land. When the planes aren’t taking off, it is gorgeously quiet. The service is super-friendly and food-wise there are lots of hot and cold selections. Great coffee too of course. In fact, I’d say it’s one of the best coffee shops on the South Island!
8. Lindis Pass
Renowned for its stunning scenery and dramatic landscapes, the Lindis Pass traverses the Southern Alps and reaches an elevation of 971 meters (3,186 feet), providing breathtaking views of tussock-covered hills and expansive valleys.
The pass is 63 km long and I have to say, it’s not the easiest road to drive as it’s quite steep and winding in parts.
During winter, the area often experiences snowfall, so, if you do plan to drive through here in the winter, be sure to drive carefully, as the road can be treacherous in sections due to ice and snow.
As for the best photo spot on this road, at the highest point, you’ll see a ‘Lookout’ sign. There’s a small car park there and it’s a short walk to the lookout from where you park your car.
9. Lake Hawea
15 minutes before Wanaka is the lovely Lake Hawea. There are several viewpoints which are easily accessible from the road.
10. Wanaka
At the end of the drive along the Lindis Pass, you will arrive at one of the cutest lakeside towns on the South Island – Wanaka. Locals often refer to Wanaka as ‘Queenstown’s little sister’. And once you’ve visited both towns, you’ll understand why. They look very similar to one another, but Wanaka has more of a chilled-out vibe.
An Instagram-famous tree, jetskiing, and stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Wanaka, and plenty of scenic hikes – there’s enough in Wanaka to see and do.
Wanaka is home to one of the most famous hikes in New Zealand – the very photogenic Roy’s Peak. It’s a long, pretty uneventful uphill climb to the summit but the view from the summit makes it all worthwhile! This 16 km round-trip hike is crazy-popular and you may have to line up to snap a photo at the top!
In the town, be sure to check out the Wanaka tree, a tree so famous it has its own hashtag #thatwanakatree. It’s a short walk along the lakefront to the tree, just make a beeline for the crowd of people gathered on the Southern end of the lake.
Where to stay in Wanaka:
We stayed at the Bella Vista Wanaka Motel. It’s conveniently located just 300 meters from the town center and our studio apartment had a small kitchenette (very handy!)
11. Cardrona
Located at the start of the Crown Range Road into Queenstown is 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.
12. Crown Ranges
The Crown Range Road is the highest main road in New Zealand, and this lookout (at its highest point) is a must-stop when driving to Mount Cook. 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 and so winter tires are needed.
13. Queenstown
Yay, you’ve reached your final destination – Queenstown! Our hometown for over 4 years.
This drop-dead-gorgeous lakeside town is one of the most-visited destinations in the country, attracting around 350,000 tourists every year. And it is ridiculously beautiful – think, looming snow-capped mountains to be seen from almost every point in town.
Queenstown is also well-known for being the ‘adventure capital of the world’, so if adrenaline-pumping activities like jetboating, doing a bungy jump, or skydiving are your idea of heaven. Then, Queenstown is the spot for you.
Anyway, I’ve listed a couple of my favorite Queenstown activities below to help you plan your itinerary for here.
- Hop on the Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak – The Skyline Gondola climbs 450 meters above Queenstown. The views along the ride and from the top are wow-worthy!
- Visit Arrowtown – This adorable town’s main street, Buckingham Street, looks like something from a movie set, and many of the storefronts here have been maintained from the town’s gold rush days.
- Check out Glenorchy – there is plenty to do in Glenorchy, including checking out its famous red shed – a former building for the NZ Railways Department. That’s oh-so-photogenic! From here, be sure to walk along the Glenorchy Walkway, a scenic and easy walk.
- Shotover Jet – One of the most popular tours in Queenstown is the heartstopping Shotover Jet. It takes place in the Shotover Canyon, and the specialized jetboat speeds through the narrow twists and turns of the canyon at 85 kph!
Where to stay in Queenstown:
- Sherwood – Situated in Frankton, around a 20-minute walk into Queenstown, is the very cool Sherwood Queenstown. We actually stayed here twice and loved its cozy boho decor. And it’s actually one of the most sustainable hotels in the world! It boasts spectacular lake views and the rooms are spacious, stylish, and comfortable.
- Ramada Queenstown Central – If you’re looking for a reasonably priced hotel in downtown Queenstown, look no further than the Ramada Queenstown Central, which has rooms starting from $200 NZD. The rooms here are stylish and sleek and some offer views of the Remarkables, Lake Wakatipu, and Kelvin Heights Peninsula.
Thanks for Reading!
It’s easy to see why the drive from Christchurch is one of the most popular things to do on the South Island. I mean, not only are there lots of amazing activities to enjoy, but there are scenic mountain views, turquoise lakes, and the chance to really get off the beaten path.
Thanks so much for reading. I hope this guide has helped you plan the perfect drive from Christchurch to Queenstown! If you found this blog helpful, be sure to browse around some more! I have guides on the Southern Scenic Route, the best things to do in the Catlins and so much more!!
Last Updated on February 7, 2026 by snaphappytravel