Driving Cromwell to Queenstown: 10 Best Places to Stop Along the Way

This article has links to products that we may make commission from.

Are you driving from Cromwell to Queenstown and wondering what there is to see along the way? I’ve got you covered!

Cromwell is a small town in the Central Otago region 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 is an absolute gem.

The drive from Cromwell to Queenstown is a picturesque journey with plenty of things to see and do along the way, from scenic lookouts to racetrack adventures.

It’s a journey I’ve taken on several different occasions, discovering and exploring new experiences each time, and I’ve got the top stops featured right here.

You can visit Cromwell as a day trip from Queenstown or as a stop in your South Island road trip itinerary on your way to or from other popular destinations such as Wanaka, Christchurch and Dunedin. 

Whether you there for a day or longer, there are plenty of fun things to do in Cromwell.

Driving from Cromwell to Queenstown

State Highway 6 is an alternative route between Queenstown and Wanaka which passes through Cromwell and is a good option if prefer not to drive the Crown Range Road.

If you’re doing a return trip to Wanaka from Queenstown and comfortable driving, we recommend taking the Crown Range Road on the way there and returning via Cromwell. This way you can experience both journeys and all the wonderful stops along the way. 

Read on to learn all about the drive between Cromwell and Queenstown plus the best places to stop along the way, including the scenic Kawarau Gorge and historical Goldfields Mining Centre.

About the Drive

The driving distance between Cromwell and Queenstown is approximately 60km (36 miles) and should take around 50 minutes to complete without any stops or heavy traffic. However, we recommend leaving extra time to experience the scenic stops along the way.

You’ll follow State Highway 6 from Cromwell to Queenstown along the picturesque Kawarau River. 

Although the scenic drive between Cromwell and Queenstown is less daunting than the Crown Range Road, this route is narrow and winding in sections and traffic can move quite quickly so do take care.

Bright blue water of the Kawarau River running through the mountains seen when driving from Cromwell to Queenstown.

It can also get quite busy with commuters travelling between Queenstown and Cromwell for work and the popular summer season. You may want to build in extra travel time during these peak times. 

If you’re travelling during the winter months be sure to check the road conditions before setting off. It’s a well-trafficked route that’s cleared regularly during snowfall however, take care in icy conditions particularly in the winding sections of the route near Roaring Meg.

You’ll be following the same road for the journey making it easy to navigate, but reception can be patchy so be sure to download any maps before setting off just in case you need them.

How to Get from Cromwell to Queenstown

If you are comfortable driving New Zealand’s roads then renting a car and self-driving is the best option as it gives you the most flexibility.

If self-driving is not an option, there a few other ways to get from Cromwell to Queenstown.

cromwell to queenstown

Bus from Cromwell to Queenstown

The InterCity bus runs a direct service from Cromwell to Queenstown with the option of getting off in Frankton or central Queenstown. Prices vary depending on the day and time you’ll be travelling ranging between $13 and $35 per person one way. The journey by bus takes around 55 minutes. 

Alternatively, Richies bus company operates a shuttle service between Queenstown and Wanaka that stops in Cromwell and costs $25 per person one way. Just be sure to enter Cromwell as the departure or destination when making the booking as not all shuttles go via Cromwell. 

Taxi 

Another option to get from Cromwell to Queenstown is by taxi. You’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the ride but it will cost you upwards of $200. If you do go with this option be sure to choose to a reputable taxi company and agree the fare up front. 

Guided Tours

If you are based in Queenstown and keen to try some of the regions best wines you may like to take a food and wine tour around the Gibbston Valley and Cromwell areas.

I’ve done a few different tours and really like this boutique wine tour for its small groups and value for money. Not only does it go to four vineyards for tastings, it includes lunch and cheese pairings. Plus you get to stop at Cromwell Heritage Precinct and Arrowtown.

Best Places to Stop on the Drive from Cromwell to Queenstown

1. Cromwell Heritage Precinct

The charming small town of Cromwell is rich in history going back to the gold rush era of the 1860s. The historic Cromwell Heritage Precinct is a great area to explore with boutique shops, art galleries, and a selection of cafes.

Explore the 16 historic buildings that were either preserved or deconstructed and rebuilt in this precinct as a unique living record of Cromwell’s heritage. Meander down the cobblestone alleyways and see if you can spot the secret fairy doors along the way. 

Grab a coffee at Grain & Seed Cafe before heading off on the journey to Queenstown.

Historic buildings in Cromwell's Heritage Precinct
Historic buildings in Cromwell’s Heritage Precinct

2. Lake Dunstan 

Before heading back to the car, take a quick stroll along Lake Dunstan to take in the views. In summer it’s a popular spot for fishing, kayaking, sailing and swimming. There is a walking path alongside the lake were you’ll see locals running and walking their dogs. 

On a clear and calm day the light can reflect beautifully on the crystal blue water making for great photo opportunities. 

There are public toilet facilities by the lakefront near the Heritage Precinct.

blue lake surrounded by green grass with a jetty
Beautiful Lake Dunstan on a sunny day

3. Highlands Motorsport Park

If you enjoy high speed motorsports you won’t want to miss a pit stop at Highlands Motorsport Park, located a five minute drive from Cromwell. Jump into one of their high speed go-karts and zip around the 650 meter track at speeds of up to 50km per hour! 

Or you can try out one of the heart stopping race tack experiences. Dash around the track with a professional driver at high speeds in one of their elite racing cars. From a V8 Muscle Car to a Supercar Fast Dash in a Twin-Turbo Ferrari reaching speeds of up to 225km per hour, it’s a ride you won’t forget!

Pricing varies depending on the experience. To give you an idea, a single go-kart ride starts from $49 per person and for the Supercar Fast Dash expect to pay around $199. There are also combo deals combining go-karting and a racetrack experience. 

Highlands is also home to a world-class racing track where you can watch professional races on certain days. There is also a cafe, museum, sculpture park and virtual reality room on site. It’s a great stop the whole family will enjoy.

Experience the race track in a Ferrari at Motorsport Park! Photo credit: Motorsport Park

4. Goldfields Mining Centre

Stop at the Goldfields Mining Centre to learn about the mining history of Central Otago. You can take a guided tour and learn about how gold was found, see a sluice gun and stamping machine in action and explore the old miners huts, shafts and tunnels to imagine what it was like living here in the 1800s. 

You can even try your luck at gold panning. Before heading off, grab a bite to eat a Panners Bar & Kitchen while enjoying views over the Kawarau River gorge.

Admission is $35 for adults and $17 for children which includes maps, a guided tour, demonstration of old mining machinery and a lesson in gold panning.

yellow bridge over a blue river in a rock walled gorge
Learn about Cromwell’s mining history at Goldfields Mining Centre

5. Roaring Meg Lookout

Roaring Meg is a quick photo stop offering a lookout over the Roaring Meg Power Station. Here, you can see a powerful source of water gushing into the Kawarau River. This powerful stream of water drives a hydroelectric power station that can also be seen from the lookout. 

It’s an interesting stop, and the power and color of the water is pretty spectacular. There’s a well signposted parking lot to pull into. Make your way to the fenced lookout platform for views of Roaring Meg and the power station.

water gushing into a blue river with rocky banks
Roaring Meg lookout and power station

6. Oxbow Adventure Co.

If you love adventure you may want to check out Oxbow Adventure Co., located a ten minute drive from the Roaring Meg lookout. You can choose from an off road adventure in one of their custom all-terrain vehicles (not for the faint hearted!) or an exhilarating ride in a 4-seater Jet Sprinter Boat at speeds of up to 100km per hour!

If you prefer healthy competion over adrenalline, the Oxbox Gun Club offers a Clay Bird Shooting experience with guidance form an experienced instructor. 

The off road and jet boat rides take around a half hour including check in time and run every 10 minutes during opening hours. The Clay Bird Shooting will take around an hour. 

Prices vary depending on the activity but expect to pay around $139 for either the jet boat or off-road adventure experience. There are also package deals where you can combine off roading and jet boating or try all three.

Photo credit: Oxbow Adventure Co.

7. Gibbston Valley

If you love wine and want to sample some of the regions finest then be sure to add this stop to your list. The Gibbston Valley Wine Region is world-famous for it’s Pinot Noir variety. 

Continuing on State Highway 6, you’ll enter the Gibbston Valley region only a few minutes down the road from Oxbow Adventure Co. 

There are several wineries to choose from but if you only have time for one, the Gibbston Valley Winery is a great option. It has a huge wine cave, a tasting room, cheesery, restaurant and spectacular mountain views surrounding the vineyards. 

The best way to experience multiple wineries is to go on an organised food and wine tour from Queenstown. I like the Appellation Wine Tours personally, but there are several different tour operators to choose from to suit a range of tastes and budgets.

Photo credit: Gibbston Valley Winery

8. Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge

About 25 minutes outside of Queenstown you’ll come to The Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, a scenic 10-story bridge built over the Kawarau River in the 1880s. It’s also home to the first commercial bungy jump. That’s right, the Kawarau Bridge Bungy is the original and world famous. 

If bungy jumping is on your bucket list, this is the place to do it! It’s a 43m (140 foot) high bungy over the Kawarau River. You even have the option to touch the water if you dare, plus it’s the only bungy jump near Queenstown where you can do a tandem jump. It’ll be a memorable bonding moment for sure!

Even if you’re not keen on taking the leap, the views are pretty awesome here, especially in autumn when the gorge is filled with red, orange and yellow colors against the ice blue river. It’s a stunning spot and worth a stop to take in the views.

Bridge over blue river with yellow and green trees lining the banks

9. Lake Hayes

Lakes Hayes is a beautiful and tranquil lake located just 15 minutes before you get to Queenstown on State Highway 6. If you’re short on time it’s worth a quick stop to check out the viewpoints any time of the year. On a still day the reflections in the lake are sublime. 

There are several access points that will take you to the edge of the lake from Highway 6. The North Lake Hayes picnic area has the most parking although we’ve never found it to be too busy. 

If you have some time, there is an easy walking track that is an 8 km (5 mile) loop around the perimeter of the lake and should take 2-3 hours to complete. Even if you don’t have time to complete the whole loop, it’s easy to just do a section of the walk to enjoy some peace and tranquility. You may even spot some native birds that inhabit the area.

Arrowtown is a five minute detour from Lake Hayes and well worth a visit. It’s a quaint and charming town full of historic buildings, shops, cafes and restaurants. There are plenty of fun things to do in Arrowtown whether it’s a quick stop on your way to Queenstown or a separate trip for another day.

Girl wearing yellow jacket and grey hat sitting on a wooden pier over Lake Hayes during autumn.
Autumn reflections on Lake Hayes

10. Shotover Bridge

Our last stop on the drive from Cromwell to Queenstown is just a few minutes drive from Lake Hayes. A short detour off State Highway 6 onto Lower Shotover Road and Spence Road will take to you to the historic Old Lower Shotover Bridge. 

The first bridge over the Shotover River was completed in 1871 to service miners, farmers and merchants. It was washed away by flooding in 1878 and a new bridge was opened further upstream in 1915, where the “Old’ Shotover Bridge still sits today.

The Old Shotover Bridge hasn’t carried vehicles since 1975 when a new bridge was built. It was restored in 2003 and now forms part of the Queenstown Trail. It’s a great opportunity to stop and appreciate a piece of Queenstown’s history while soaking up the picturesque surroundings.

Stunning views from the ‘Old’ Shotover Bridge

Final Thoughts

With so many great places to stop on the drive from Cromwell to Queenstown you could easily turn this short drive into a half or whole day affair. We hope this blog helps you to plan an awesome road trip where you can enjoy visiting some or all of these great stops along the way.

If you’re road tripping around New Zealand, why not head to Invercargill next.

From there, you can enjoy more wildly beautiful stops on the drive from Invercargill to Te Anau and the incredible journey from Te Anau to Milford Sound.

Pin for later!

Pinterest cover for driving from Cromwell to Queenstown blog post

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *