Christchurch and Queenstown are two of the most popular places in New Zealand’s South Island. Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island. With an international airport, it’s a popular location to start and end road trips.
Queenstown is one of the best places to visit in the South Island. Known as the ‘adventure capital of New Zealand’ (and the world), Queenstown is the perfect place to take on adrenaline filled activities. Surrounded by the Southern Alps, it’s also a great place to relax and take in the wondrous scenery.
Driving from Christchurch to Queenstown is one of the most scenic drives in the country. The route takes you through some of New Zealand’s most epic and beautiful scenery. From snow-capped mountains to giant turquoise glacial lakes, the drive from Christchurch to Queenstown really is magnificent.
The below guide is designed to help you build your perfect road trip itinerary in the amount of time you have. It includes where to stop between Christchurch and Queenstown and a suggested time to spend there.
You can also build the below into a bigger road trip of the South Island. If you’re coming down the West Coast from Picton, consider this road trip after spending time in Queenstown and visiting Milford Sound. If you started in Christchurch, consider heading up the West Coast after this.
If you’re planning to do the drive in a campervan, make sure to read my post on things to consider when hiring a campervan in New Zealand. If you’re staying in hostels or hotels, be sure to book your accommodation in Queenstown ahead of your arrival.
New Zealand is known to be an expensive destination, and Queenstown is no exception. If you’re on a budget, research how to visit Queenstown on a budget.
How long does it take to drive from Christchurch to Queenstown?
Queenstown and Christchurch are about 300 miles (480km) apart. Driving, this should take 6 to 7 hours.
However, there is lots to do on a drive between Christchurch and Queenstown. I’d recommend giving yourself at least 2 days or 3 days so you can make the most of this beautiful journey. If you have longer, you could easily spend a week exploring the mountains.
In the below guide, I’ve listed possible stops and how long to spend in each place so you can build your perfect itinerary.
Is driving from Christchurch to Queenstown difficult?
All the roads on this route are very well-maintained. You’ll be driving through the mountains including the Lindis Pass which means some steep inclines and windy roads. In the winter, you may be required to carry snow chains and drive in snow/ice.
This drive is fine for a solo traveller in New Zealand. I’m not the most confident of drivers, but I find this drive fine. Take your time on the trickier bits and pull over in a safe place to let traffic pass you.
What is the best time of year to drive from Christchurch to Queenstown?
Every season in New Zealand has its benefits. In the spring, you’ll be rewarded with the lupins and warmer weather. In winter, you’ll drive past snow-capped mountains as far as the eye can see.
Be aware in the winter you may need to carry snow chains and drive in icy conditions. There is also the possibility of road closures.
Whenever you choose to drive between Queenstown and Christchurch, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful scenery, turquoise lakes and incredible panoramic views.
Which route: Wanaka or Cromwell?
When making the drive from Christchurch to Queenstown, you have the choice to drive via Wanaka or Cromwell.
Cromwell is the easiest, shortest, and most convenient route. If you’re looking to get to Queenstown quickly, consider this route.
The route via Wanaka is a lot more scenic. Wanaka itself is also a great place to explore and spend some time. It’s also the home to the famous Roys Peak hike, a popular hike in the area.
If you’re planning to head up the West Coast or Glacier Country after your trip to Queenstown, you can visit Wanaka then. But if this is your only chance to visit Wanaka, I’d suggest trying to squeeze in a visit to Wanaka on your Christchurch to Queenstown road trip.
Stops for your road trip from Christchurch to Queenstown
Lyttelton
How long to spend in Lyttelton: a few hours
Okay… so technically Lyttelton isn’t part of the road trip to Queenstown, BUT, if you have the time, taking a detour to Lyttleton is well worth the extra effort.
Lyttelton is a small harbour town on the Banks Peninsula, about 7 miles (11km) from Christchurch. It’s the largest harbour town in the South Island and is surrounded by beautiful scenery. There is a great beach here, some nice cafes, restaurants and a few gift shops.
Rakaia Gorge
How long to spend at Rakaia Gorge: a few hours
Now the real road trip begins. A trip to Rakaia Gorge is a must on any Christchurch to Queenstown road trip. It’s a beautiful spot where you’ll get to see pure aqua glacial water against luscious, green bush surrounded by stunning mountains.
Use this spot as a quick leg stretch or alternatively, hike the Rakaia Gorge Walkway. This track is 6.5 miles (10.4km) and takes you through the surrounding area.
Visiting the Rakaia Gorge will require you to take the scenic Route 77 rather than Route 1, but it’s well worth-it.
Timaru
How long to spend in Timaru: a few hours in the evening (to see the penguins)
This is another detour from the main route to Queenstown, BUT, it’s your chance to see the world’s smallest penguin in the wild.
The Little Penguins (formally Little Blue Penguins), call the beaches of Timaru their home. At dusk, they return from their day at sea giving you the chance to see them. As the penguins are only viewable at dusk, you’ll need to stay overnight here. If you have a self-contained campervan, there is a freedom campsite right next to where you view the penguins.
Note: it would be tricky to do both Rakaia Gorge and Timaru without driving back on yourself, so I’d suggest choosing one or the other.
Fairlie (rest stop)
How long to spend in Fairlie: snack/meal stop
Fairlie is a little town less than an hour from Tekapo. The Fairlie Bakehouse is a famous bakery selling handmade pastries. I’ve only made it there once but can honestly say it was one of the best pies I’ve had in New Zealand.
Lake Tekapo
How long to spend in Tekapo: 1 or 2 nights
Tekapo is the first major stop on your Christchurch to Queenstown road trip. This picturesque town sits on the shores of the magnificent Lake Tekapo. It’s one of my favourite spots in New Zealand, it really doesn’t get more beautiful than this.
Depending on what you want to do, I’d suggest spending at least one, if not two, nights here.
Tekapo is a Dark Sky Reserve meaning it’s one of the best places in New Zealand to stargaze. You can opt to join a tour to do this, including with the Dark Sky Project or with Chameleon.
One of the most famous spots to stargaze is the Mount John Observatory. This famous stargazing spot sits on the top of Mount John and is home to some powerful stargazing equipment. To use the stargazing equipment, you’ll need to join a tour.
Alternatively, grab a blanket and head down to the lake to do some of your own stargazing. A good place to stargaze for free in Tekapo is the Church of the Good Shepherd. There’s minimal light pollution and some photography opportunities.
There are plenty of other exciting things to do in Tekapo. I’ve written a more in-depth article on this, but here is a quick overview.
Hike up Mount John in the day for panoramic views.
Relax in the Tekapo hot pools.
Hire a bike and explore Lake Tekapo.
Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd.
Take a scenic flight to Mount Cook.
Klook.comLake Pukaki (viewpoints)
How long to spend at Lake Pukaki: there are various viewpoints on your way to Mount Cook
Next up is Lake Pukaki. A magnificent turquoise glacial lake near Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a lake quite as blue as here. There are viewpoints all the way along the read with incredible lake views. You’ll get your first glimpse of Lake Pukaki driving along State Highway 8. Turn off on to State Highway 80 on the Mount Cook Road for even more spectacular views.
If it’s a clear day, you may even get your first glimpse of Mount Cook in the distance.
Note: if you’re freedom camping, there are a couple of freedom campsites on the shores of Lake Pukaki (for FREE!).
Mount Cook National Park
How long to spend in Mount Cook: one full day
No trip to New Zealand’s South Island is complete without a visit to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. The home of New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Mount Cook National Park is breathtakingly beautiful. With its snowcapped mountains and glacial lakes, I’m not sure the scenery gets much better than this.
Mount Cook National Park is where you’ll find the Hooker Valley Track, the most popular hike in the South Island. The Hooker Valley walk is also arguably one of New Zealand’s best day hikes.
It’s a fantastic way to see New Zealand’s highest mountain amongst the beautiful scenery. The Hooker Valley Track is miles (10km) return but is relatively flat (aside from a few steps). I’m not sure there is another hike where you are rewarded with such incredible views for that little effort. The track ends at Hooker Lake where you’ll be able to see Mount Cook and the Hooker Glacier.
Despite being an alpine region, the park is very accessible. There is ample parking at Hooker Valley in the White Horse Hill Campground at the start of the track.
For more a more challenging hike in Mount Cook National Park, you could consider the Sealy Tarns or Mueller Hut.
A trip to Mount Cook Village is also a great option when driving between Christchurch and Queenstown. The village is home to an informative visitor center and the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre.
Read my guide on how to spend a day in Mount Cook National Park, including Mount Cook VIllage, for more ideas including boat trips, scenic flights and skydives.
Twizel (rest stop or overnight stop)
How long to spend in Twizel: a good rest stop or overnight stop after Mount Cook
The next stop is the town of Twizel, one of the larger towns in the area. If staying in Tekapo doesn’t appeal to you, this would be your next best option. It’s a great gateway stop for Mount Cook and the surrounding area.
For those wanting to stay overnight, there are various accommodation options here including a holiday park, hostels and hotels. There’s also some great cafes and bakeries to choose from if you’re just looking for some refreshments.
High Country Salmon Farm (stop)
How long to spend here: 2 hours
The High Country Salmon Farm is a unique stop on your drive from Christchurch to Queenstown. Honestly… I didn’t think I would find this activity very interesting, but it pleasantly surprised me.
Here, you can learn about the salmon farming process, try some salmon and even have a go at catching your own fish. If you’d like to give this a go, it’s recommended to book your activity in advance.
Omarama (rest stop)
How long to spend here: an hour or two
Omarama is a pleasant spot to break up your journey a bit. If you’re planning on rushing through, consider a stop at the Wrinkly Ram. This is a famous café serving some delicious (you guessed it…) pies! You can also buy authentic merino items here.
If you have longer to spend in Omarama, consider the Omarama Hot Tubs. They’re the perfect stop to relax and slow down. I prefer these to the Tekapo hot springs. They’re much more private and relaxing. Make sure you book in advance as they can sell out.
Omara Clay Cliffs
How long to spend at the Clay Cliffs: an hour
Just outside of Omarama are the Omara Clay Cliffs. This is a unique area of New Zealand that has exposed clay cliffs which are millions of years old. I was a little skeptical about visiting here, but they’re really unique and impressive. It almost feels like being transported to Utah.
Once you arrive, you’ll follow a path for a few minutes until you reach the cliffs. You can then spend as much time as you like exploring the area.
There is an honesty box which requests a $5 donation per vehicle (correct Sep 23).
Lindis Pass (viewpoint)
The Lindis Pass connects the Mackenzie Basin with the Central Otago Region. This increibly scenic drive takes you through the unique mountains of the area on your road trip from Christchurch to Queenstown.
There’s a viewpoint at the top of the Lindis Pass with a dedicated parking lot and area for pedestrians. It’s a great spot to stop and admire the views.
I’ve travelled all around New Zealand and this is one of my favourite viewpoints. The mountains here are so different to others even in the nearby Mount Cook. They almost have a Scottish Highlands feel to them.
Cromwell (rest stop)
How long to spend in Cromwell: 1 or 2 hours
If you’re opting to get to Queenstown quickly, you’ll likely want to drive through Cromwell. This route is the fastest and most convenient.
Cromwell is a small town near Lake Dunstan. It was once a mining town but is now known for growing some of the country’s best fruit. It’s a good spot to break up the last part of your drive from Christchurch to Queenstown. There’s a small retail park there which has a selection of bakeries and cafes – I’d highly recommend the Cromwell Bakery for their pies.
Extra stop: Gibbston Valley
How long to spend in Gibbston Valley: a couple of hours at a winery
Gibbston Valley is known as the ‘Valley of the Vines’ and is one of New Zealand’s most famous wine-growing areas. It’s the perfect stop between Christchurch and Queenstown to do some wine tasting (if you’re not driving, of course). This region in Central Otago is particularly famous for its Pinot Noir red wine.
A great option for wine tasting is Gibbston Valley Winery.
Wanaka (detour)
How long to spend in Wanaka: at least one day
After leaving Omarama, you have the choice of taking the scenic route to Queenstown via the stunning town of Wanaka.
Fondly known as Queenstown’s little sister, the small town sits in Mount Aspiring National Park on the shores of Lake Wanaka. It’s the home of the iconic Roys Peak hike and the famous Wanaka Tree.
There are lots of exciting things to do in Wanaka, but some of the best activities including the incredible Mount Iron hike for panoramic views and kayaking on Lake Wanaka.
If you’re a keen hiker, I’d also recommend the Isthmus Peak hike, a short drive from Wanaka. This hike competes with Roys Peak when it comes to incredible views, but it’s much less crowded. On the way up, you’ll have scenic views of Lake Hawea. At the peak, you’ll be able to see the magnificent Lake Wanaka.
As I mentioned above, if you’re planning to do a trip up the West Coast, you could tie in your trip to Wanaka with that. If not, then going via Wanaka on your Christchurch to Queenstown road trip is absolutely worth it.
For more information, here’s a great guide on things to do in Wanaka.
The Crown Range Road
If you go via Wanaka, your drive to Queenstown will be via the stunning Crown Range. This is one of the most amazing places to truly see the scale of the Southern Alps the stunning scenery.
This views never end along this incredible scenic drive. There’s ample viewpoints where you can stop and pullover.
The small village of Cardrona is also worth a stop if you have the time. The Cardrona Pub is a homely and cosy pub serving delicious food. It’s also the home of the famous “bra fence”. Each year, hundreds of women leave their bras on the fence to raise money for charity.
Arrowtown
The small town of Arrowtown is about 30-minutes from Queenstown. This old-mining town is like nowhere else in New Zealand. It’s the perfect spot to stop for a couple of hours to learn about a completely different side to New Zealand’s history.
The main street of this quaint town is lined with cute boutiques, coffee shops and gift shops. It’s also in a beautiful setting and is one of the best places in New Zealand to see the autumn colours.
Here’s some amazing things to do in Arrowtown.
After Arrowtown, consider a stop at the beautiful Lake Hayes. There are a couple of hiking tracks around the scenic lake including short walks. There’s also some accomodation options if you want to spend a night there before arriving in Queenstown.
A Three-Day Road Trip Itinerary from Christchurch to Queenstown (via Cromwell)
Day one: Christchurch to Tekapo
Driving distance: 150 miles (231km)
Driving time: About 3 or 4 hours
Start day one of your road trip by taking the scenic route and visiting Rakai Gorge. Stretch your legs here and take in the stunning scenery.
Jump back in the car and drive to Fairlie which is a great stop for some lunch. I’d suggest visiting the Fairlie Bakehouse for some delicious food including their famous pies.
Head to Tekapo and arrive before sunset. Walk along the lakeshore to see the Church of the Good Shepherd and relax in the Tekapo Hot Springs. If you have time, you could consider hiking Mount John or join a stargazing tour.
Day two: Tekapo to Twizel (via Mount Cook)
Driving distance: About 100 miles (160km – with drive to Mount Cook)
Driving time: Around 90 minutes from Tekapo to Mount Cook, then an hour back to Twizel (allow plenty of time for photo stops)
Today’s an exciting day as you’ll be exploring Mount Cook National Park which is home to one of the most popular hikes in the country – the Hooker Valley Track.
Hit the road early and make a stop at Lake Pukaki to take in the views. There are lots of options to fill your day in Mount Cook including hiking and a scenic flight over New Zealand’s highest mountain.
I’ve written a guide on how to spend a day in Mount Cook National Park here.
Day three: Twizel to Queenstown (via Cromwell)
Driving distance: 125 miles (200km)
Driving time: 2 – 3 hours
Today is the last day of your three-day Christchurch to Queenstown road trip.
Begin your day with a short drive to the High Country Salmon Farm. Here, learn about salmon farming in New Zealand, feed the fish and try some fresh salmon. Then, make your way to Omarama. Omarama is a small town where you can relax in the hot tubs or try a famous pie at the Wrinkly Ram.
Continue your drive and consider a detour to the Clay Cliffs, a unique spot in New Zealand that’s well worth a visit. The cliffs were formed millions of years ago and there is a walking path which allows you to explore the area. I’d suggest spending at least an hour here. It’s different to anywhere else I saw in New Zealand.
The final leg of your journey takes you via Cromwell. The town was once a gold mining town but is now one of the country’s top growing fruit regions. There’s not a lot of things to do in Cromwell, but it’s a great lunch spot with some nice cafes and bakeries.
After your rest stop in Cromwell, continue the drive to Queenstown. If you have time, consider stopping off at Gibbston Winery to try some of Otago’s finest wine.
A Four-Day Road Trip Itinerary from Christchurch to Queenstown (via Wanaka)
Day one: as above
Day two: as above
Day three: Twizel to Wanaka
Driving distance: About 90 miles (145km)
Driving time: 2 hours
Begin your day with a short drive to the High Country Salmon Farm. Here, learn about salmon farming in New Zealand, feed the fish and try some fresh salmon. Then, make your way to Omarama. Omarama is a small town where you can relax in the hot tubs or try a famous pie at the Wrinkly Ram.
Continue your drive and consider a detour to the Clay Cliffs, a unique spot in New Zealand that’s well worth a visit. The cliffs were formed millions of years ago and there is a walking path which allows you to explore the area. I’d suggest spending at least an hour here. It’s different to anywhere else I saw in New Zealand.
After this, it’s time to head to Wanaka where you’ll spend the afternoon exploring the lake and beautiful area.
Day four: Wanaka to Queenstown
Driving distance: 43 miles (70km)
Driving time: 90 minutes
Today is the final day of the trip. If you want to hike the famous Roys Peak, now is your chance. Otherwise, it’s time to start the drive to Queenstown. I’d suggest giving yourself plenty of time to stop at some of the scenic viewpoints in the Crown Range. You could also consider a stop in Arrowtown on your way through to Queenstown.
