Day Trips from Queenstown by Car: The Best Summer Drives

The best day trips from Queenstown by car are all within about 80 minutes’ drive: Arrowtown (20–30 min), the Gibbston Valley wineries (25–30 min), Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu (45 min), Cromwell and its summer fruit stalls (about 45–50 min), and Wānaka over the Crown Range (70–80 min). The roads are sealed, and in summer the long evenings give you daylight until about 9:30pm, so even a full loop leaves plenty of time to stop along the way. Collect your car at Queenstown Airport in Frankton, which is already on the way to most of these drives.

How far are the best day trips from Queenstown?

Approximate one-way drive times from central Queenstown, without stops:

• Arrowtown: 19 km, 20–30 minutes
• Gibbston Valley: 25 km, 25–30 minutes
• Glenorchy: 45 km, about 45 minutes
• Kingston: 47 km, about 40 minutes
• Cromwell: about 60 km, 45–50 minutes
• Wānaka (via the Crown Range): about 68 km, 70–80 minutes
• Te Anau: about 170 km, around 2 hours (the gateway to Milford Sound)

Frankton, where the airport branch is, sits about 8 km closer to Arrowtown, Gibbston and Cromwell than central Queenstown does.

Glenorchy: the lakeside drive

The road to Glenorchy follows the shore of Lake Wakatipu all the way to the head of the lake. It’s one of the most photographed drives in New Zealand. Stop at the lookouts along the way, then walk the Glenorchy wharf and lagoon boardwalk when you arrive. Several film locations are nearby.

• The road is sealed but narrow and winding, with few passing spots. Use the pull-in bays to let faster traffic past.
• Pack insect repellent, because sandflies are common around the lake head in summer.
• There are limited services in Glenorchy, so leave Queenstown with plenty of fuel.

Arrowtown and Gibbston: a short, easy half day

Arrowtown is a restored 1860s gold-mining town with a tree-lined main street, cafés and the historic Chinese Settlement. You can drive there two ways: Malaghans Road via Arthurs Point, or SH6 past Lake Hayes. A loop that uses one road there and the other back makes an easy half day.

The Gibbston Valley, along SH6 through the Kawarau Gorge, is known for its Pinot Noir cellar doors. If you’re visiting wineries, plan for one person to stay sober and drive. New Zealand’s drink-driving limits are strict, and the roads through the gorge are winding.

Wānaka over the Crown Range

The Crown Range Road is New Zealand’s highest main sealed road, with the summit at about 1,076 m. Stop at the summit lookout for the view back over the Wakatipu Basin, then drop down past the historic Cardrona Hotel into Wānaka.

To make it a loop, drive the Crown Range one way and come back on SH6 via Cromwell and the Kawarau Gorge. That way covers more distance but is a gentler road.

• The Crown Range has tight hairpin bends near the Queenstown side. Use a lower gear on the way down instead of riding the brakes.
• In summer it’s an easy drive in any car. Snow chains are only needed in winter.

Cromwell: summer fruit and the Kawarau Gorge

The drive to Cromwell goes through the Kawarau Gorge and past the original Kawarau bungy bridge. From about December, the roadside fruit stalls around Cromwell and Central Otago start selling cherries, followed by apricots and other stone fruit through the rest of summer. Cromwell Heritage Precinct, on the lake edge, is a good place to stop for lunch.

Is there anywhere I shouldn’t take a rental car?

Skippers Road into Skippers Canyon is a narrow, unsealed, cliff-edge road, and many rental agreements in New Zealand exclude it. Check your rental terms before considering any unsealed road. If you want to see the canyon, take one of the guided tours or jet-boat trips from Queenstown.

Which car should I hire for Queenstown day trips?

• Couples: the Toyota Aqua Hybrid or a Yaris. Both are economical and easy to park in Queenstown and Arrowtown.
• Families: the Toyota RAV4 or Highlander, with room for luggage and gear for the lake.
• Groups: the 7-seat Alphard or a Hiace van, so everyone travels together.

Every Yes Rentals booking includes unlimited kilometres, free cancellation and 24/7 roadside assistance, and there’s a free shuttle from the terminal to the Frankton branch. See the full fleet.

Tips for summer day trips around Queenstown

• Start early on popular routes. Glenorchy lookouts and Arrowtown fill up from late morning in December and January.
• Carry sunscreen and water. Central Otago summers are dry and the UV is strong.
• Don’t expect warm water. Lake Wakatipu stays cold even in summer, so take care if you swim.
• Allow time for stops. The drive times above don’t include photo stops, and on these roads you’ll want plenty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best day trip from Queenstown by car?
For a short trip, Arrowtown (20–30 minutes). For scenery, the lakeside drive to Glenorchy (about 45 minutes). For a full day, Wānaka over the Crown Range, returning via Cromwell.

How long is the drive from Queenstown to Wānaka?
About 70–80 minutes over the Crown Range Road (around 68 km). The alternative route via Cromwell on SH6 is longer in distance but has gentler grades.

Do I need a 4WD for day trips from Queenstown?
No. Arrowtown, Gibbston, Glenorchy, Cromwell and Wānaka are all reached on sealed roads, and a standard 2WD car is fine in summer.

Can I drive a rental car on Skippers Road?
Skippers Road is narrow and unsealed, and many rental agreements in New Zealand exclude it. Check your rental terms first, or take a guided tour instead.

Where can I pick up a rental car in Queenstown?
At the Yes Rentals Queenstown Airport branch, 43 Brookes Road, Frankton. A free shuttle runs from the airport terminal to the branch.