Queenstown is a picturesque alpine town nestled in the Southern Alps of New Zealand and known for adventure activities. It’s also a great base for exploring other areas of this beautiful region.
Here, I’m sharing 10 of the very best day trips from Queenstown you won’t want to miss.
Queenstown is based in the South Island of New Zealand in the Otago region. Otago is the second largest region in New Zealand and boasts some of the most dramatic landscapes from rugged coastlines to alpine mountains, glacial lakes and vineyards all just waiting to be explored.
From historic mining towns to local hidden gems, you can pick and choose from the variety of options based on what works for you and how much time you have.
There is so much to do in and around Queenstown, we recommend staying for at least a week if you can. Or if you are road tripping you can plan your route to pass through some of these awesome places along the way.
Many of the places can be combined into one day which we’ve highlighted in the details below.
Top 10 Best Day Trips From Queenstown
1. Lake Hayes
Lakes Hayes is a beautiful and tranquil lake located just a 15 minute drive from Queenstown. There is an easy walking track that is an 8 km (5 mile) loop around the perimeter of the lake and will take about 2-3 hours to complete.
There are several access points to the Lake. If you’re traveling from Queenstown the most direct route is via highway 6 and the Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road. The North Lake Hayes picnic area has the most parking although we’ve never found it to be too busy.
Lake Hayes is great to visit in any season. In autumn, the lake is surrounded by beautiful golden hues. Dress in warm layers for winter and be sure to bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a sunhat in summer. Lake Hayes is a lovely place to visit for its picturesque walking track and convenient location just a short drive from Queenstown.
Lake Hayes is on the way to and can easily be combined with the next stop on our list…Arrowtown.
2. Arrowtown
Arrowtown is a historic gold mining town in the South Island of New Zealand rich in history, character and charm. Located a short 20 minute drive from Queenstown, the quiet location, quaint architecture and beautiful scenery make for a nice change of pace from the bustling Queenstown.
We always include a day trip to Arrowtown. It’s a great place to visit in any season but autumn is the best time to visit when the surrounding hills are blanketed in shades of red, yellow and orange.
There are lots of fun things to do in this charming little town. The main drag is Buckingham Street and it has such a vibe. Boutiques, offices and cafes occupy the historic buildings left from the gold rush era that feels like you’ve been transported back in time.
There are some wonderful eateries and a vast network of trails and nature walks. You can even try your luck at gold panning in the Arrow River.
3. Moke Lake
Moke Lake is a small lake surrounded by freshwater wetlands, farmland and mountains tucked away on the outskirts of Queenstown. It’s one of the South Island’s hidden gems.
Moke Lake is a short 20 minute drive from Queenstown heading towards Glenorchy and a little off the beaten path. Moke Lake Road starts out sealed. It’s a windy road with a few switchback turns before turning into a gravel road. You’ll be traveling through private property as you pass through farmland and will cross over a few cattle grates.
You’ll pass along the edge of a small lake called Lake Kirpatrick before you come to Moke Lake. As you near the lake the road narrows so proceed with caution and be courteous if other cars are on the path, it will be a tight squeeze in some spots.
At the lake there is a lovely walking track called The Moke Lake track. It’s an easy well maintained 6.5km (4 mile) gravel loop track with some boardwalk sections that takes you around the lake and is surrounded by mountains.
The track is an easy gradient and there aren’t any steep sections, but you do get a gradual elevation that is enough to get you stunning views over the lake and back towards the pasture area and mountains beyond.
Moke Lake is great to visit any time of year but you may need a 4 wheel drive in winter. It can be icy and dangerous after snowfall so I wouldn’t recommend traveling out there in these conditions if you are unfamiliar with the terrain.
Due to its sheltered location surrounded by mountains it’s often calm and serene once you reach Moke Lake which means on a clear day you’ll be able to see the most beautiful reflections in the lake.
Make Lake can also be combined as a day trip with our next stop…Glenorchy!
4. Glenorchy
Glenorchy is a quiet little town about a 45 minute drive from Queenstown on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road. It’s seriously cute and worth a visit with lots of fun things to see and do here.
Head to the Glenorchy Wharf to visit the famous little red boat shed and beautiful lakefront. After you’ve visited the Glenorchy Boat Shed and Wharf, the Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway is a super easy 3.2 km (2 mile) loop walk that will take you around the lagoon.
From the Glenorchy Boat Shed, turn right and keep on walking until you see DOC signs for the trail near Lake Wakatipu on Mull Street. You’ll make your way through wetlands on a well maintained track with beautiful views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
The Glenorchy Hotel restaurant located on Mull Street is a good lunch stop for that quintessential kiwi pub experience. They offer a range of food options with local and international beer, including craft beer, on tap.
LOTR fans can’t visit Glenorchy without taking a ride out to Paradise to check out the beautiful scenery of Mount Aspiring and some of the LOTR filming locations. If you prefer, you can take a half day tour which will organize everything for you and you can even dress up in costumes and play with replica swords.
On your way back to Queenstown, stop at Bennetts Bluff Lookout for beautiful views of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountain ranges. You will see the turnoff for the parking lot on your right hand side about 20 minutes from Glenorchy as you head toward Queenstown. Sunset can be magic if you are lucky and time it right with beautiful pink hues reflecting in the sky and water of Lake Wakatipu.
5. Cardrona Hotel
The Cardrona Hotel is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most iconic hotels. It’s located on the Crown Range Road between Queenstown and Wanaka.
From Queenstown it will take you a little under an hour via the Crown Range Road to get to the Cardrona Hotel. Be sure to stop at the Crown Range lookout on the way. On a clear day the views are pretty spectacular.
The Cardrona Hotel is seriously charming in an old west kind of way and has a great restaurant and souvenir shop on site. The pub restaurant has a cozy rustic feel with stone walls, wood beams and a roaring fireplace in winter. In summer the beer garden is a pleasant spot to grab a drink and take in the mountain views.
Note: If you are traveling during the winter months you’ll need to carry and be able to fit snow chains in order to pass through the Crown Range Road. It is steep with sharp turns in sections and as New Zealand’s highest mountain road conditions can change quickly.
6. Wanaka
Wanaka is a quintessential alpine resort town perched on the edge of Lake Wanaka and a little over an hour’s drive from Queenstown. It’s a vibrant outdoorsy town with a community keen for adventure.
Treble Cone and Cardrona ski resorts are nearby making Wanaka a popular base for skiing in winter. It’s also home to the iconic Wanaka Tree and Roy’s Peak hiking trail as well as many other great hiking trails.
Mount Aspiring National Park is located close by, making Wanaka a great base for exploring the Southern Alps (more on this in number 7 below when we explore The Blue Pools).
Although one of the best day trips from Queenstown, we highly recommend spending a night or two in Wanaka if you can. It’s a great place to get out amongst nature and the town center has a fun energy about it with many great restaurants and cafes to try.
7. The Blue Pools
One of our favorite spots in the South Island of New Zealand and an absolute gem is The Blue Pools. Nestled on the edge of Mount Aspiring National Park about an hour’s drive north on the Haast Highway (SH6) from Wanaka.
The Blue Pools are located in the small township of Makarora and you’ll see the turnoff to the Blue Pools carpark opposite Cameron Flat campsite.
The crystal blue glacial waters runoff from the mountains and through the Makarora River. It’s a short easy walk through beech forest and open flats with a boardwalk in sections to get to the swing bridges that look over the Blue Pool’s majestic water.
The second swing bridge offers the best viewing platform with great views up the river gorge.
Insider tips:
- The color of the water is determined by the weather conditions so a clear sunny day will give you the best color. The water can actually turn brown after heavy rains and flooding.
- You can swim in the pools so pack a bathing suit if you’re keen, just be prepared that being glacial water it is freezing cold all year round.
- The sandflies can be intense, although less so in the cooler months, so definitely take along an insect repellent with a higher deet content. We found Bushmans to be pretty effective.
8. Lake Hāwea
If you are traveling to the Blue Pools via Wanaka on SH6 you’ll be driving alongside the expansive Lake Hāwea for a good portion of the journey. It’s a scenic 15 minute drive from Wanaka to Lake Hāwea. The vastness of this lake made us feel so small as we snaked our way along the highway running alongside it.
It’s actually the ninth largest lake in New Zealand, stretching 35 kilometers from north to south, and is named after a Māori tribe who preceded the Waitaha people in the area. There are several designated lookout points to pull over and take in the incredible scenery and tranquility.
The small township of Hāwea is perched on the edge of the lake and known for its outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking and water sports. It has a few cafes and restaurants making it a nice option to stop for lunch on your way to or from The Blue Pools.
We managed to fit in the Cardrona Hotel, Wanaka, The Blue Pools and Lake Hāwea in one day. It was an absolutely full day but totally doable and one of the best day trips in from Queenstown that we did.
If you have the time, an overnight stay in Wanaka is highly recommended. There is so much to do there, including the famous Roy’s Peak Track, and it has such a nice atmosphere.
9. Cromwell
Cromwell is a town in the Central Otago region about a 50 minute drive from Queenstown on SH6 and home to some of New Zealand’s award winning wineries. Surrounded by mountains, fringed by lakes, and rolling hills of vineyards as far as the eye can see, Cromwell will make you feel like you’ve been transported into a fairytale setting.
You can explore this beautiful area on your own or join one of many winery tours on offer. The little town is rich in history going back to the gold rush era of the 1860s. There are many great things to do in Cromwell. The historic Cromwell Heritage Precinct is a great area to explore with boutique shops, art galleries, and a selection of cafes.
You can visit Cromwell as a day trip from Queenstown or as a stop on your way to Wanaka. SH6 is an alternative route between Queenstown and Wanaka which passes through Cromwell and is a good option if you’re not keen to drive the Crown Range Road. If you love wine and want to sample some of the regions finest then be sure to add this stop to your list.
10. Fiordland
Last, but certainly not least, is Fiordland. Fiordland is a World Heritage area and home to New Zealand’s largest national park. Located about a 2 to 4 hour drive from Queenstown on State Highway 6 and State Highway 94 you’ll pass through some of the most dramatic and picturesque landscapes New Zealand has to offer. The drive to Milford Sound is one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand.
Te Anau and Manapouri are the main towns in Fiordland that have amenities such as accommodation, shops, cafes and fuel. They are also the closest bases from which to explore the Milford and Doubtful Sounds.
There are many things to see and do in Fiordland from various walking tracks to outdoor activities, helicopter rides to cruising the sounds, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Whatever you choose to do there you’ll leave with experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.
If it’s your first time visiting the region and you only have a day to spare, I highly recommend checking out a guided tour. There are several day trip tours to Fiordland that start from Queenstown.
We recommend choosing a tour that takes you on a cruise through the Milford.
Or, for a more ‘off the beaten path’ experience you may want to consider a cruise on Doubtful Sound. It is one of the most memorable experiences we’ve had in New Zealand to date and a must do experience!
Final Thoughts
However much time you have, there is so much to explore in this stunning region. We hope our list of the best day trips from Queenstown helps you to make the most of the time you have and love it as much as we do love it!
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Heather is a travel enthusiast living in New Zealand with her family. She writes about living in and enjoying travel to New Zealand.