Road Trip Queenstown to Wanaka Drive (Cromwell Route)

No trip to the South Island is complete without a couple of days in Queenstown. Blast across Lake Wakatipu on a high-speed jet boat ride or sail through the air while skydiving. Switch gears and find yourself exploring the world-class dining Queenstown has to offer, then soak the day away at the hot pools.

While there are many fantastic options to choose from, here are some of our must-sees while you're in town:

Arthur's Point

If you love action, Arthur's Point is a great place to start. This adventure hub is home to jet boating, canyon swings, and bungy jumping, all against a backdrop of rushing rivers and alpine forests. There are several hiking trails that offer majestic views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and Shotover River.

For a quick break, head to Canyon Brewing or Cargo at Gantleys to enjoy a refreshing pint of craft beer. Gin lovers, drop by The Gin Gardeninstead! Remember to drive safely and assign a designated driver if planning to enjoy the local drop.

Onsen Hot Pools

Soak in Queenstown's alpine vistas with a visit to the Onsen Hot Pools. Perched over a cliffside, these private cedar-lined hot pools feature exclusive spring-fed water and stunning views over the Shotover River canyon.

Unwind with a well-deserved massage, float through the boutique day spa, and enjoy a spot of tranquillity on your travels.

Continue along State Highway 6 through the lush Gibbston Valley, home to the region's oldest vineyards and New Zealand's largest wine cave.

Gibbston Valley Winery

Discover the valley of the vines with a guided tour above or below ground at Gibbston Valley Winery. Explore the country's largest winecave, buried 50 metres into the hillside and learn about its history while surrounded by hundreds of French oak wine barrels filled with ageing wine.

Next door to the Cave Library, the French country-style Cheesery & Deli is the perfect place to pair your drop with quality artisan cheese.

Gibbston River Trail

If you want to make a day out of your Gibbston Valley visit, a leisurely hike along the Gibbston River Trail is a great option. Hike through the valley of vines above the rushing Kawarau River and visit the wineries and breweries on the trail.

Grab a picnic hamper from Gibbston Valley Cheeses and a bottle from Peregrine Winery to enjoy nature the gourmet way!

Head from sprawling valleys to rugged mountain gorges on your way through this stunning landscape.

There are plenty of places to safely stop and grab a photo, so make sure you leave time to relax and take in the beautiful scenery.

Kawarau Suspension Bridge

Thrill-seekers, eat your heart out with an unforgettable trip to the birthplace of Bungy. The Kawarau Suspension Bridge is home to the world's very first commercial bungy jump and still attracts keen jumpers from around the world to its 43-metre drop over the epic Kawarau River.

Designed in 1880, this 120-metre bridge is a long-standing engineering marvel that also features in the Lord of the Rings films.

Roaring Meg Power Station Waterfall

For show-stopping views of the Kawarau River, you can't go past the Roaring Meg Power Station Waterfall. This hydroelectric power station creates an artificial waterfall that flows into the Kawarau River, which you can see from the car park.

This is a great pit stop on the way to Wanaka with its vivid turquoise waters and dramatic scenery.

Continue just 10 minutes along State Highway 6 to arrive in Cromwell, where you'll swap out rushing rivers for gold rushes from centuries past.

Bannockburn

Bannockburn is a town with a rich gold mining history, located just outside of Cromwell in Central Otago. Check out the nearby gold mining heritage sites by wandering or mountain biking through the various trails running through the area.

Whether you prefer your fruits fresh or fermented, Bannockburn is the place for you. There is no shortage of fresh produce and wine-tasting experiences in the many vineyards and orchards dotting the landscape.

Cromwell Heritage Precinct

Step back into the gold rush heyday at Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Discover what life was like in the 1860s gold town of Cromwell with this unique blend of original and reconstructed architecture from the original main street.

Now, visitors enjoy the cafes, boutique shops, and art galleries that take residence in these historic buildings on the shores of Lake Dunstan.

The final leg of your journey clocks in at just over 40 minutes as you drive into Wanaka.

There are plenty of gorgeous viewpoints and activities to do along the way, so make sure you leave time to explore at your own pace!

National Transport & Toy Museum

Drop by the National Transport & Toy Museum on your way into Wanaka for a unique museum experience with one of the largest private collections in the world. With over 50, 000 classic cars, aircraft, and toys on display, this is a perfect stop for visitors of all ages.

Puzzling World

Put your head to the test with Puzzling World, a puzzle theme park filled with weird and wonderful brainteasers. From the world's first 'Mega Maze' to six illusion rooms to befuddle the public, this is great fun for the whole family.