Campervan Hire from Queenstown: Starting Your Southern Lakes Trip
Quick summary: Queenstown puts your campervan or motorhome trip straight into the most spectacular corner of New Zealand. Milford Sound, Arrowtown, Glenorchy, Wānaka and the Gibbston wine valley are all within a couple of hours, and the town itself is the country’s adventure capital, packed with day tours. Start here if Fiordland and the southern lakes are your priority, or finish here at the end of a trip from Christchurch.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Island | South Island, Otago region |
| Airport to town centre | Around 8 km, 15 minutes |
| Best first-night options | Town holiday parks, Lake Hayes, Arrowtown, Glenorchy road, Kingston |
| Routes from here | South-west to Te Anau and Milford Sound, north to Wānaka, east to Cromwell and the Lindis Pass |
| Good one-way finishes | Christchurch, Dunedin, Picton |
| Best for | Fiordland, the southern lakes and adventure seekers |
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Why start a campervan trip in Queenstown?
Few places on earth offer so much within a few hours’ drive. Lake Wakatipu stretches beneath the jagged peaks of the Remarkables, the road to Glenorchy is one of the most beautiful lakeside drives in the country, and Fiordland’s Milford Sound is close enough for an unforgettable second or third day. Starting here means you are among the best scenery from your very first hour.
Queenstown is also where many South Island trips end. A one-way trip from Christchurch via Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook finishes here naturally, and dropping off the vehicle in Queenstown leaves time for a final jet boat ride or gondola trip before your flight.
What should you do before driving away?
Get organised in Frankton, the area around the airport, before you head into the hills.
- Go through the vehicle carefully at handover, including power, water, gas, toilet and heating. Queenstown nights can be cool even in summer, so make sure you know how the heater works.
- Stock up at the large supermarkets in Frankton. Te Anau, Glenorchy and Arrowtown have smaller stores, and there is nothing at all between Te Anau and Milford Sound.
- Fill your fuel tank before heading to Fiordland. Te Anau is the last fuel stop before Milford Sound, around 120 km further on.
- Stow everything securely. Roads around Queenstown are hilly, and anything loose will move on the first steep corner.
- Keep day one short. A night at a lakeside campsite close to town lets you get comfortable with the vehicle before tackling longer drives.
Where should you stay on your first night?
| First-night option | Distance from Queenstown | Why stay |
|---|---|---|
| Town holiday parks | In or near town | Full facilities, walk or bus into the centre |
| Lake Hayes area | Around 15 km, 15 min | Quiet lake setting between Frankton and Arrowtown |
| Arrowtown | Around 20 km, 20 min | Historic gold-mining village with great food |
| Glenorchy road DOC campsites | Around 10–30 km | Lake Wakatipu views, sunsets over the mountains |
| Glenorchy | Around 46 km, 45 min | Mountains, lakes and Middle-earth scenery |
| Kingston | Around 47 km, 40 min | Quiet southern tip of Lake Wakatipu, on the way to Te Anau |
What is it like driving out of Queenstown in a motorhome?
Queenstown is busier and hillier than most New Zealand towns. The town centre has steep streets, tight corners and very limited parking for large vehicles, so it is best explored on foot or by bus once you have parked up at a holiday park.
The main roads out are straightforward. State Highway 6 runs east from Frankton through the Kawarau Gorge towards Cromwell, and south along Lake Wakatipu towards Kingston and Te Anau. The road to Glenorchy follows the lake shore with plenty of curves and viewpoints.
The Crown Range Road, the direct route between Queenstown and Wānaka, is one of the highest sealed roads in New Zealand, with tight hairpins on the Queenstown side. It is spectacular, but it is a serious climb in a large vehicle and can be affected by snow and ice in winter. The alternative route via Cromwell is longer but gentler. Check your rental terms and the conditions on the day; our guide to roads to check in your rental terms explains more.
What are the best tours and experiences from Queenstown?
Queenstown has more tours than almost anywhere in New Zealand, from gentle cruises to world-famous adrenaline. These are the highlights.
Milford Sound day trips
You can drive to Milford Sound yourself on the Fiordland and Milford route, but coach-and-cruise day tours and scenic fly-cruise-fly trips from Queenstown are popular alternatives. Flying over the Southern Alps and landing at Milford Sound is one of the most memorable things you can do in New Zealand, and it saves a long return drive.
Jet boating
Jet boating was pioneered in New Zealand, and Queenstown is its home. Boats skim through the narrow canyons of the Shotover River and across the shallows of the Kawarau and Dart Rivers, spinning in tight 360-degree turns.
Bungy and adventure
The historic Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, on the road towards Cromwell, is where commercial bungy jumping began. Queenstown also offers bigger bungy jumps, canyon swings, ziplines, paragliding and skydiving over the lake.
The gondola and luge
A gondola climbs from the town centre to Bob’s Peak, with sweeping views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. At the top, the luge is fun for all ages, and there are walking trails and a restaurant.
Lake Wakatipu cruises
The historic steamship TSS Earnslaw has sailed Lake Wakatipu for more than a century. Cruises cross the lake to Walter Peak High Country Farm for farm demonstrations, sheep shearing and lunch or dinner.
Wine tours
The Gibbston Valley, just east of town, is famous for its Pinot Noir. Guided wine tours let everyone enjoy the tastings without anyone needing to drive the motorhome afterwards.
Middle-earth and Glenorchy tours
Glenorchy and the Dart River valley were filming locations for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Guided tours, horse treks and jet boat trips explore the scenery.
Winter skiing
In winter, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are both within easy reach of Queenstown, with Cardrona and Treble Cone near Wānaka. See our winter campervanning guide.
Which routes leave from Queenstown?
- Fiordland and Milford Sound: south-west to Te Anau and Milford Sound, around 290 km. The headline drive of any southern trip.
- Queenstown Lakes: Arrowtown, Glenorchy, the Crown Range and Wānaka.
- Lindis Pass: east through the Kawarau Gorge and Cromwell, then north over the Lindis Pass to Twizel and the Mackenzie Country.
- Central Otago: from Cromwell through Alexandra and the old gold-rush towns to Dunedin.
- Haast Pass: via Wānaka over the mountains to the West Coast.
Which trips work best from Queenstown?
A Queenstown loop to Milford Sound, then north via Wānaka and the Haast Pass to the West Coast glaciers, and back over the Lindis Pass, makes a superb 7–10 day trip. Starting in Queenstown and finishing in Christchurch covers the full sweep of the island’s alpine scenery. See our South Island itineraries and our guide to one-way trips.
Can you drop off a rental RV in Queenstown?
Yes. Queenstown is one of the most common drop-off points in New Zealand, especially for one-way trips from Christchurch. Finishing here lets you end with Milford Sound or a final day of adventure before flying out from Queenstown Airport.
Ready to book your Queenstown motorhome?
From Queenstown, the best of Fiordland and the southern lakes is right on your doorstep.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Queenstown is the best start for travellers focused on Fiordland and the southern lakes, with Milford Sound, Glenorchy, Arrowtown and Wānaka all within a few hours’ drive.
Milford Sound is around 290 km from Queenstown via Te Anau, which takes around 4 hours of driving without stops. Most travellers break the journey with a night in Te Anau.
The Crown Range Road between Queenstown and Wānaka is sealed but steep, with tight hairpins and occasional winter snow and ice. Some travellers prefer the longer, gentler route via Cromwell. Check your rental terms and the day’s conditions first.
Good options include the town’s holiday parks, the Lake Hayes area, Arrowtown, the DOC campsites along the Glenorchy road, Glenorchy itself, or Kingston at the southern tip of Lake Wakatipu.
Highlights include Milford Sound coach-and-cruise or fly-cruise-fly trips, jet boating on the Shotover River, bungy at the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, the gondola and luge, a TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak, Gibbston wine tours, and Middle-earth tours around Glenorchy.
The main highways in and out are straightforward, but the town centre is hilly with very limited large-vehicle parking. It is easiest to park at a holiday park and explore the centre on foot or by bus.
Te Anau is the last fuel stop before Milford Sound, around 120 km before the end of the road, so fill up there for the return trip.