Wānaka is Queenstown’s quieter neighbour, a lakeside town of cafés, walking tracks and mountain views set on the shore of Lake Wānaka, about an hour over the hills. A highlights tour packages the trip into a single day, taking you over the Crown Range, the highest sealed main road in the country, and down to the lake, where there is time for a stroll along the waterfront and a look at the famous willow tree that stands in the water. From Wānaka the route usually returns through the Cardrona Valley or the Kawarau Gorge, with a stop at Arrowtown, the gold-rush village of tree-lined streets and small shops that is a favourite with photographers in autumn. The tour suits visitors who want to see a wider slice of Otago without arranging a rental car, and it offers a good contrast to the adrenaline-heavy activities in Queenstown. The commentary adds history and geology, and the guide often knows good places for coffee and lunch.
How it works
The tour leaves Queenstown in the morning, collecting guests from central hotels or a meeting point. The drive over the Crown Range climbs through a series of switchbacks, with lookouts over the Wakatipu Basin and, in cold months, the possibility of snow. In Wānaka you have free time for lunch and a walk by the lake, and the return route may stop at the Cardrona Valley or at viewpoints along the Kawarau Gorge. Arrowtown is usually the final stop, with time to wander its main street and the historic Chinese miners’ village.
What to expect
This is a scenic sightseeing day rather than an adventure, with a comfortable pace and plenty of time for photographs. The Crown Range road is steep and winding, and travel sickness can be a problem for sensitive passengers, so sit near the front and take medication if needed. In winter the road may need chains or be closed for snow, in which case the tour uses the Kawarau Gorge route instead. Wānaka’s weather can be cooler than Queenstown, so pack a warm layer even in summer.
Making the most of it
If you have extra time, consider staying in Wānaka overnight and exploring the lake, the Roys Peak track and Puzzling World. For a one-day trip, decide whether you would rather have more time in Wānaka or in Arrowtown, and ask the operator how the day is split. Bring money for lunch and coffee, since meals are often not included, and wear comfortable shoes for walking along the lakefront.
If you plan to visit the main Arrowtown sights separately on another day, you may prefer a tour that spends longer in Wānaka. Combine the day with a quiet evening in Queenstown, because the long drive is tiring even when you are not driving.
Good to know
The tour is a good rainy-day option, because the coach or minibus gives you shelter between stops and the scenery stays dramatic in low cloud. If you want a more flexible day, you can drive yourself and use the tour as a template for your own stops. Public toilets and cafés are easy to find in both towns, and the guide can recommend quieter places to eat if you prefer to avoid the busiest streets.
What to expect
The experience
A guided full-day coach or minibus trip over the Crown Range to Lake Wānaka, returning via Arrowtown with free time at both.
Best time
Autumn for colour, summer for lake days, or winter for snowy views if the road is open.
How long
Around eight hours return from Queenstown.
Tips
Bring a warm layer, money for lunch and comfortable walking shoes, and sit near the front if you get travel sick.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want a calm, scenic day beyond Queenstown without driving themselves.
- Families
- Good for families with older children, though the winding road can upset small stomachs.
- Couples
- A relaxed day of views, cafés and lakeside walks.
- Pair with
- A Gibbston Valley winery visit or dinner in town afterwards.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
How far is Wānaka from Queenstown?+
It is around an hour by road over the Crown Range or through the Kawarau Gorge, depending on conditions and the route taken.
Is the Crown Range road safe?+
It is a sealed but steep and winding road. Operators follow conditions, and in winter the route may change if snow or ice is present.
How much time do we get in Wānaka?+
It varies by tour, so check the itinerary when you book. Most include enough time for lunch and a lakeside walk.
Is lunch included?+
Often not. Bring money for lunch in Wānaka or Arrowtown, and check the inclusions.
What is there to see in Wānaka?+
Visitors enjoy the lakefront, the famous willow tree in the water, cafés and views of the surrounding mountains.
