Lake Pukaki's turquoise water with Aoraki/Mt Cook beyond.
Lake Pukaki's turquoise water with Aoraki/Mt Cook beyond. Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tussock-covered hills at the Lindis Pass summit.
Tussock-covered hills at the Lindis Pass summit. Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Restored heritage buildings of Old Cromwell Town.
Restored heritage buildings of Old Cromwell Town. CHCBOY, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
"That Wānaka Tree" standing alone in Lake Wānaka.
"That Wānaka Tree" standing alone in Lake Wānaka. Kate Branch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The calm shoreline of Lake Wānaka.
The calm shoreline of Lake Wānaka. via Wikimedia Commons
The switchbacks and basin views from the Crown Range Road.
The switchbacks and basin views from the Crown Range Road. Donovan Govan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Arrowtown's historic main street ablaze with autumn colour.
Arrowtown's historic main street ablaze with autumn colour. Vera & Jean-Christophe, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Preserved gold-rush-era shopfronts on Buckingham Street.
Preserved gold-rush-era shopfronts on Buckingham Street. W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The ever-busy Fergburger storefront in central Queenstown.
The ever-busy Fergburger storefront in central Queenstown. Athn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Wed 23 Sept 2026

Scenic Drive to Queenstown

📍 Queenstown (Frankton), New Zealand

A full day retracing part of the route back toward Queenstown, with stops at Lake Pukaki, the Clay Cliffs, Cromwell, Lake Wanaka, the Crown Range, and Arrowtown before settling into the Frankton accommodation for the rest of the trip.

⚠️ 1 item on this day is still to be confirmed — see the highlighted rows below.

Schedule

  1. 09:00
    1 Breakfast in Lake Tekapo TBC Jack Rabbit Café (Godley Hotel) for lake/mountain/church views, or The Greedy Cow for a hearty local favourite (can get busy, arrive early). Suggestion, not booked
  2. 10:00
    2 Depart Lake Tekapo Assumed departure time.
  3. 10:30
    3 Lake Pukaki lookout Turquoise glacial lake with Aoraki/Mt Cook views, right on SH8. 15 min stop
    Lake Pukaki's turquoise water with Aoraki/Mt Cook beyond.
    Lake Pukaki's turquoise water with Aoraki/Mt Cook beyond. Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. 13:15
    4 Lindis Pass summit lookout Second pass through — alpine tussock scenery. 15 min stop
    Tussock-covered hills at the Lindis Pass summit.
    Tussock-covered hills at the Lindis Pass summit. Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. 14:25
    5 Cromwell (lunch) Fruit stalls, Old Cromwell Town historic precinct. 1hr lunch stop
    Restored heritage buildings of Old Cromwell Town.
    Restored heritage buildings of Old Cromwell Town. CHCBOY, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  6. 16:00
    6 Lake Wānaka Lakefront town, home of the famous "That Wānaka Tree". 1hr stop
    "That Wānaka Tree" standing alone in Lake Wānaka.
    "That Wānaka Tree" standing alone in Lake Wānaka. Kate Branch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    The calm shoreline of Lake Wānaka.
    The calm shoreline of Lake Wānaka. via Wikimedia Commons
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  7. 17:30
    7 Crown Range lookout Highest main road in New Zealand — sweeping views over the Wakatipu Basin. 15 min stop
    The switchbacks and basin views from the Crown Range Road.
    The switchbacks and basin views from the Crown Range Road. Donovan Govan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  8. 18:05
    8 Arrowtown Historic gold-mining town with a preserved 19th-century main street and autumn colours. 45 min stop
    Arrowtown's historic main street ablaze with autumn colour.
    Arrowtown's historic main street ablaze with autumn colour. Vera & Jean-Christophe, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    Preserved gold-rush-era shopfronts on Buckingham Street.
    Preserved gold-rush-era shopfronts on Buckingham Street. W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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  9. 19:30
    9 Arrive at accommodation 9 Juniper Place, Frankton, Queenstown 9300.
  10. 21:00
    10 Dinner: Fergburger Queenstown's iconic burger joint. Expect a queue — no reservations.
    The ever-busy Fergburger storefront in central Queenstown.
    The ever-busy Fergburger storefront in central Queenstown. Athn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Other Activities 1

Optional extras around Queenstown (Frankton) if you have time or want to swap something out.

  • Clay Cliffs, Omarama

    The eroded pinnacles and ravines of the Omarama Clay Cliffs.
    The eroded pinnacles and ravines of the Omarama Clay Cliffs. Bernard Spragg. NZ, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
    Clay Cliffs catching early morning light.
    Clay Cliffs catching early morning light. Pseudopanax, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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    Otherworldly eroded pinnacle formations, ~20 min walk, via a gravel detour off SH8 (small donation for parking). A ~40 min stop if added to the drive.

    Good to knowSkip to save roughly an hour and reach Queenstown sooner, or swap the walk for a soak at the nearby Omarama Hot Tubs.

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