8 minute read
ROAD TRIP QUEENSTOWN TO WANAKA
On the road to Wanaka
Queenstown to Arrowtown via Crown Range 22min, 20.2km
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Queenstown to Kawarau Gorge via SH 6 44min, 53.5km
Cromwell to Wanaka via SH 6 40min, 53.5km
SIDE TRIP : Wanaka to Lake Hāwea via SH84, SH6 & Capel Ave 17min, 17.1km
Base yourself in Queenstown, where you can embark on several exciting trips. The first one, to Arrowtown and Wanaka, has two options. The route via the Crown Range which lies to the east of the Wakatipu Basin follows a technical alpine road with glorious views. Take full advantage of the dedicated lookout points. This is the shorter of the two routes to Wanaka and is impressive with the range’s rugged and romantic landscape, plus you pass one of New Zealand’s most iconic hotels – Cardrona Hotel with its famous vintage Chrysler sitting out front. Longer but less challenging is the Kawarau Gorge and Cromwell route, attractive for other reasons. The celebrated hallmarks of this highway include wineries, gold-mining sites and a bungy jumping bridge. You can also check out charming Cromwell via this route.
© AA Traveller 2021
FIVE OF THE BEST LAKES
Lake Wakatipu © Adobe Stock
LAKE WAKATIPU This deep, cold lake is very picturesque. The Dart and Rees flow into it; Kawarau flows out. Good options are to cruise across it and walk its shores.
LAKE DUNSTAN A manmade lake formed on the Clutha River as a result of the construction of the Clyde Dam.
LAKE HAYES Located on the way to Arrowtown, beautiful Lake Hayes is the most photographed lake in New Zealand. Come here to walk, bike, picnic and – of course – take photographs.
LAKE HĀWEA An outdoor lover’s paradise, this lake offers the chance to boat, kitesurf, swim, kayak and ride. If you want to be more relaxed, picnic by the braided river bed or stroll around the lake.
LAKE WANAKA Look for the social media celebrity #that wanaka tree, a crooked willow standing in the shallows in Roys Bay. After dark, check out the night sky over the lake.
QUEENSTOWN
View of Queenstown © Adobe Stock
Whether you’re a fixture on the winery scene, charging down the hillside in a purpose-built luge cart, glidingtowards the top of Bob’s Peak in the southern hemisphere’s steepest cable car, paragliding or picnicking, you won’t want the curtain to fall on your time in Queenstown.
In winter, you’ll be hitting the snow; at any time of the year you’ll be soaking up the buzz of this beautiful lakeside town. Cosmopolitan, innovative, welcoming; there is never a dull moment.
QUEENSTOWN HIGHLIGHTS
> Queenstown Gardens
> Winter Festival
> Queenstown Hill
> Skyline Gondola
> Queenstown Arts Centre
> Heritage and Arts trail
> Lake Wakatipu cruise
> River jet rides
> Wine tours
> Hot pools
© Onsen Hot Pools, Queenstown
QUEENSTOWN AND SURROUNDS
Walter Peak Farm, Lake Wakatipu © Real Journeys
> Double Cone
> Coronet Peak
> Kawarau Gorge
> Queenstown Cycle Trail
> Glenorchy
> Skippers Canyon
HIGHLIGHTS
TSS EARNSLAW The only hand-fired steamship in operation in the southern hemisphere, this surviving relic was built in 1912 and is an integral part of Queenstown’s pioneering history. Jump aboard this Edwardian vintage twin screw steamer and singalong with the on-board piano.
KAWARAU GORGE A hive of activity with white water rafting, jet boating and kayaking based here, Kawarau Gorge is where to head if you’re a watersports’ fan. You can also visit the remains of several miners’ cottages above the banks of the river.
KAWARAU SUSPENSION BRIDGE is the site of the world’s first commercial bungy jumping venture founded by AJ Hackett. Come here to jump off or to watch others leap.
BOB’S COVE This empty stretch of Lake Wakatipu lies20 minutes out of town on the road to Glenorchy. Reachable via the Bob’s Cove Track with several heavenly beach spots.
CROMWELL is the gateway to gold mines and ghost towns with a rich history that belies its modern appearance. Cromwell is where two rivers – the Clutha and Kawarau – meet. Sample stone fruit, the world’s best pinot noir and get lost in time at the Cromwell Heritage Precinct.
Cardrona Hotel © Adobe Stock
CARDRONA HOTEL Established in 1863, this legendary après ski destination provides roaring fires, mulled wine and cosy ensuite accommodation, while in summer, the large beer garden is fantastic.
LAKES DISTRICT MUSEUM & ART GALLERY Established in 1948, this small but valuable museum in Arrowtown is recognised as one of New Zealand’s finest. There are great treasure hunts for kids, including a ‘spot the odd one out’ game, which involves finding modern items hidden amidst the artefacts.
MAKARORA Located between Wanaka and the West Coast, hikers base themselves here for access to Mt Aspiring National Park.
WANAKA is one of only a few places to host a year round market, occurring every Thursday afternoon.
HOT POOLS Sit and luxuriate in your own private hot tub at both Onsen Hot Pools and The Spa at Nugget Point.
BEN LOMOND WALKWAY This demanding eight-hour climb ventures to a 1438m summit. You can also pick a three to four-hour track to Ben Lomond Saddle, or push on.
QUEENSTOWN HILL LOOP A moderately challenging three hour walk that starts in downtown Queenstown and climbs to the ‘Basket of Dreams’, a favourite lookout.
BANNOCKBURN SLUICINGS, CROMWELL Once the stomping ground of gold miners, this rugged family of cliffs, caves and gullies are human-made, created by gold sluicing. This scarred landscape is not to be missed. Allow 90 minutes.
THE SKI FIELDS
© Remarkables
CORONET PEAK The closest ski field to Queenstown, Coronet Peak’s rollercoaster terrain keeps things exciting, with 280 skiable hectares for skiers and snowboarders. There are dedicated beginner slopes as well as intermediate and advanced level trails. There is also night skiing a few nights a week from late June to early September.
THE REMARKABLES A favourite with families, there are three sun-drenched, north-facing, snow-filled bowls that are perfectly formed to cater for everyone from absolute novice to veteran powder hounds.
CARDRONA ALPINE RESORT It’s a family affair at Cardrona with Kids’ Club and Ski Kindy for the little ones. With more than 320 skiable hectares including cross-country, it’s popular for freestyle skiing.
TREBLE CONE SKI AREA South Island’s largest ski and snowboard resort, Treble Cone features the longest vertical rise of all Wanaka and Queenstown’s ski fields. This field offers an award winning experience for all.
SNOW FARM dedicated to cross country, enjoy 55km of intrepid ski trails.
SOHO BASIN A privately owned ski field, behind Cardrona, that promises the ultimate alpine experience.
DOG SLEDDING Meet the floof balls and ride with these traditional Arctic sled dogs with Under Dog NZ, just 40 minutes from Wanaka.
WINE TOURS
ABOVE: © Akarua Wine & Kitchen
QUEENSTOWN WINE TRAIL The original boutique wine tour in Queenstown, running since 1992.
GIBBSTON VALLEY WINE TOURS Step inside the country’s largest wine cave.
APPELLATION WINE TOURS Venture off the beaten track and visit three wine sub-regions..
ALTITUDE TOURS Book both daytime and twilight tours.
ALPINE WINE TOUR Treat yourself to a Queenstown Progressive Dinner Tour complete with a scenic, starlit drive.
QUEENSTOWN WINERY TOURS Enjoy a bespoke vineyard experience with small group numbers to boutique wineries.
ARROWTOWN
Arrowtown © Adobe Stock
ARROWTOWN HIGHLIGHTS
> Buckingham Street
> The Arrow River
> Chinese Miners’ Settlement
> Lakes District Museum
> Gold panning
Spend at least a day – ideally a few – in this historic mining town on the banks of the Arrow River. You’ll find charming cafés, bars and restaurants, Dorothy Brown’s boutique cinema, world-class golf courses and the unmissable Lake District Museum & Art Gallery.
Walking is a good option here. Visit the tiny houses in the Chinese miners’ settlement, you won’t believe their size! Autumn is Arrowtown’s star season.
Chinese Miner's Settlement, Arrowtown © Adobe Stock
WANAKA TO LAKE HĀWEA
Lake Wanaka © Adobe Stock
Departing Wanaka on foot, exceptional lake meets-mountain views are guaranteed on the four-hour return hike to Roys Peak; ’That Wanaka Tree’ is one of New Zealand’s most famous residents, and there are four remote islands speckling the lake that you can visit by boat. If you’re a daredevil, Skydive Wanaka will put Aoraki Mt Cook in your peripheral, and Wild Wire Wanaka offers the highest waterfall cable climb in the world.
A very scenic 15-minute drive north-east delivers you to Lake Hāwea, another place of intense beauty. The fishing is legendary and it’s an idyllic place to swim, walk and kayak.
HIGHLIGHTS ALONG THE WAY
> Lake Hāwea
> Pinot Noir
> Locally brewed craft beer
> Diamond Lake track
> Mt Aspiring National Park
> LANDeSCAPE Wanaka eBikes & Hot Tubs
Cayoning by a waterfall, Wanaka © www.lakewanaka.co.nz
Main Image Above : Roys Peak mountain hike in Wanaka © Adobe Stock
