Queenstown, Arrowtown, Glenorchy and Wānaka by Campervan

Quick summary: The Queenstown Lakes district is the scenic heart of a South Island campervan or motorhome trip: two great lakes, Wakatipu and Wānaka, framed by mountains, with the gold-rush village of Arrowtown and the wilderness gateway of Glenorchy close by. This leg covers the drives between them, including the spectacular Crown Range Road from Queenstown to Wānaka, around 70 km. Distances are short, but there is enough here to fill several days.

At a glance
Start and end	Queenstown to Wānaka, with side trips to Arrowtown and Glenorchy
Distance	Around 70 km via the Crown Range; around 115 km via Cromwell
Pure driving time	Around 1 hr via the Crown Range; around 1 hr 30 min via Cromwell
Side trips	Arrowtown around 20 km from Queenstown; Glenorchy around 46 km
Recommended time	3–5 days
Road character	Sealed; winding lakeside roads and a steep climb over the Crown Range
Key stops	Glenorchy, Lake Hayes, Arrowtown, Crown Range summit, Cardrona, Wānaka, Lake Hāwea
Overnight options	Holiday parks in Queenstown and Wānaka, DOC campsites near Glenorchy, lakeside spots
Nearest pickup city	Queenstown
Best for	Lake and mountain scenery, walking, adventure and food and wine

Why spend time in the Queenstown Lakes?

Because few places in the world pack so much beauty into such a small area. Lake Wakatipu, long and deep, curls between mountains that rise straight from the water. Lake Wānaka, an hour away, is broader and calmer, with a famous lone willow growing out of the shallows. Between them, the Crown Range Road climbs over a high saddle with views across the whole Whakatipu Basin.

The towns each have their own character. Queenstown is lively and full of adventure. Arrowtown is a beautifully preserved gold-mining village, its avenues of trees spectacular in autumn. Glenorchy is a tiny settlement at the top of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by peaks that served as Middle-earth on screen. Wānaka is relaxed and outdoorsy, a base for walking, cycling and the lakes.

What are the best stops in the Queenstown Lakes?

Stop	Distance from Queenstown	Time to allow	Campervan notes
Bennetts Bluff lookout	Around 25 km towards Glenorchy	15 min	Classic view up Lake Wakatipu
Glenorchy	Around 46 km	Half a day to a full day	Small village; parking for large vehicles
Lake Hayes	Around 15 km	30 min to 1 hr	Lakeside walk and reflections
Arrowtown	Around 20 km	Half a day	Historic main street; use the larger car parks
Crown Range summit	Around 35 km	15–30 min	Lookout over the Whakatipu Basin
Cardrona	Around 45 km	30 min	Historic hotel and alpine valley
Wānaka	Around 70 km via the Crown Range	1–2 days	Lakefront, walks, cycling, tours
Lake Hāwea	Around 85 km	1–2 hours	Quieter lake on the road to the Haast Pass

The Glenorchy road

The 46 km road from Queenstown to Glenorchy follows the shore of Lake Wakatipu and is one of the most beautiful lakeside drives in New Zealand. Stop at Bennetts Bluff for the classic view up the lake towards the mountains at its head. Glenorchy itself is small and peaceful, with a famous red boatshed on the waterfront, a wharf, and access to the Dart and Rees valleys. The roads beyond Glenorchy towards Paradise and Kinloch include unsealed stretches; see our guide to roads to check in your rental terms.

Arrowtown

Arrowtown grew from an 1860s gold rush and still looks the part, with a main street of historic stone and timber buildings, now full of cafés, restaurants and boutiques. Walk down to the restored Chinese Settlement, which tells the story of the Chinese miners who worked the Arrow River, and try your hand at gold panning in the river itself. In autumn, the town’s trees turn gold and red, and Arrowtown is one of the most photographed places in the country.

Lake Hayes

Just off the road between Frankton and Arrowtown, Lake Hayes is famous for its mirror-like reflections on still mornings. A walking and cycling track circles the lake.

The Crown Range Road

The Crown Range Road climbs from near Arrowtown through a series of tight hairpins to a summit lookout with sweeping views across the Whakatipu Basin. It is one of the highest sealed roads in New Zealand. The road then drops through the Cardrona Valley, past the historic Cardrona Hotel, a gold-rush inn dating from the 1860s, and down to Wānaka.

Wānaka

Wānaka sits at the southern end of Lake Wānaka, with the peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park in the distance. Walk the lakefront to see That Wānaka Tree, the lone willow growing in the water, one of the most photographed trees in the world. Climb Mount Iron for an easy view over town, or tackle the steep Roys Peak track for one of the great panoramas in New Zealand. Puzzling World, with its illusion rooms and maze, is a fun stop for families.

Lake Hāwea

Around 15 km north of Wānaka, Lake Hāwea is quieter and wilder, and the road along its shore leads towards Makarora and the Haast Pass.

What tours and experiences are available along this route?

• Dart River jet boat and wilderness tours from Glenorchy. Jet boats travel deep into the Dart River valley, past glaciers and beech forest, with some tours combining jet boating and a canoe drift downstream.
• Middle-earth tours and horse treks around Glenorchy. Guided tours visit locations used in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and horse treks ride through the same landscapes.
• Gold panning and history tours in Arrowtown.
• Lake Wānaka cruises, including trips to Mou Waho Island, a predator-free reserve with a lake on an island in a lake.
• Canyoning, kayaking and paddleboarding around Wānaka.
• Skydiving over Lake Wānaka or Lake Wakatipu, with views over both lakes and the Southern Alps.
• Guided walks in Mount Aspiring National Park, including the Rob Roy Glacier Track.
• Wine tours in the Gibbston Valley and around Wānaka.
• Skiing in winter at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone.

For the best tours from Queenstown itself, including Milford Sound flights, jet boating and the gondola, see our Queenstown city guide.

Where can you stay overnight on this route?

• Queenstown holiday parks are close to town, with full facilities.
• DOC campsites near Glenorchy, including the lakeside Twelve Mile Delta and Moke Lake, are among the most scenic campsites in the region.
• Glenorchy has a holiday park and makes a peaceful base.
• Arrowtown has a holiday park within walking distance of the main street.
• Wānaka, Albert Town and Lake Hāwea have holiday parks and lakeside campgrounds.
• Freedom camping is managed closely in this busy district, and many areas are restricted to certified self-contained vehicles or closed to camping altogether. Check locally before you stop, and see our freedom camping guide.

What are the driving conditions like?

Most roads in the Queenstown Lakes are sealed and in good condition, but they are busier than elsewhere in the South Island and often hilly and winding.

The Glenorchy road has many curves and some sections close to the lake, so take your time.

The Crown Range Road is the big one. The climb from the Arrowtown side is steep, with tight hairpins, and the descent requires a low gear. It is entirely drivable in a motorhome in good conditions, but if you are nervous about steep roads, or if snow and ice are present in winter, the alternative route via Cromwell and Lake Dunstan is longer but gentler. Check your rental terms before you choose.

In Queenstown and Wānaka town centres, parking for large vehicles is limited, so use designated long-vehicle parks or walk in from your campsite.

Where are fuel, supermarkets and dump stations?

Queenstown (especially Frankton) and Wānaka have large supermarkets, fuel and dump stations. Arrowtown has a smaller store, and Glenorchy has very limited supplies, so stock up before you go. See our dump stations and water guide.

How long should you spend in the Queenstown Lakes?

Three to five days lets you enjoy the area without rushing. A good plan is:

• Day 1: Queenstown, with a tour or the gondola.
• Day 2: Glenorchy and back, around 92 km return, with a jet boat or walk.
• Day 3: Arrowtown in the morning, then over the Crown Range to Wānaka.
• Day 4: Wānaka: a lake cruise, Roys Peak or Mount Iron, and the lakefront.
• Day 5: Lake Hāwea and on towards the Haast Pass, or back towards Queenstown.

Where can you park an RV in Queenstown and Wānaka?

Both town centres have limited space for large vehicles, so look for designated long-vehicle parking on the edge of the centre, or leave the vehicle at your holiday park and walk or take the bus in. Frankton, near Queenstown Airport, has easier parking and large supermarkets.

Which routes connect to this leg?

• Arriving from the Mackenzie: the Lindis Pass from Twizel.
• Next, from Queenstown: Fiordland and Milford Sound.
• Next, from Wānaka: the Haast Pass to the West Coast.
• Alternative: Central Otago from Cromwell to Dunedin.

This leg features in our South Island 10-day loop and South Island in 14 days itineraries.

Plan this route from Queenstown

Compare campervan and motorhome hire in Queenstown

Frequently Asked Questions