Christchurch to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo route planner
Drive your way through vast patchwork plains to New Zealand’s highest mountain. Visit dramatic alpine lakes and let loose in our adventure capital, Queenstown.
- Minimum Length: 562km
- Minimum Duration: 2 days
- Start: Christchurch or Queenstown
- Finish: Queenstown or Christchurch
Trip Planner
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Christchurch
Avon River, Christchurch. Avon River, Christchurch.
- Christchurch and Canterbury attractions
- Find accommodation in Christchurch and Canterbury
- Find a rental car or motorhome in Christchurch and Canterbury
Lake Tekapo
The Church of the Good Shepherd rests on the shores of Lake Tekapo. The Church of the Good Shepherd rests on the shores of Lake Tekapo.
Once back on the road, a photo stop at the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd is a must and over the past 75 years has become one of New Zealand’s most photographed monuments – it’s not hard to see why!
Hidden Gem: Lake Pukaki
Hooker Valley, Aoraki/Mount Cook. Hooker Valley, Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Aoraki Mount Cook
On arrival at the village of Mount Cook take time to explore the treasures of New Zealand's mountaineering history at the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre or enjoy one of the many walks through the National Park. If you're feeling adventurous, try booking in for a ski plane landing on the Tasman Glacier.
Lindis Pass
You will love every moment of this road trip as you head south and witness the scenery change dramatically from colourful roadside wildflowers to the smooth tussock-covered saddle of the Lindis Pass – scenery as perfect as a landscape painting.
Lake Wanaka
Wanaka, New Zealand Wanaka, New Zealand
Hidden Gem: Puzzling World
If you're planning to linger in Wanaka (and you should), spend an afternoon at quirky Puzzling World, where optical illusions, mazes and puzzles will boggle and beguile you.
Crown Range
Crown Range with views to Queenstown. Crown Range with views to Queenstown.
The Crown Range road twists through hill country farmlands into alpine tussock when you reach the summit of New Zealand’s highest highway at 1121 metres.
Our tip: For breathtaking views:
Stop at the lookout for your first views of the Wakatipu basin... it is truly breathtaking.
From the saddle, set off on your way down – several lookouts offer panoramic views with Queenstown in the distance.
Arrowtown
Arrowtown in Summer. Arrowtown in Summer.
Queenstown
Then, voila ... you’ve reached one of New Zealand’s best known destinations. Welcome to Queenstown.
- Queenstown attractions
- Find accommodation in Queenstown
- Find a rental car or motorhome in Queenstown
Where to next?
From Queenstown you could head south towards Milford Sound and Southland, east through Central Otago, or north up the West Coast until you reach sunny Nelson. It's really up to you!
- Queenstown to Dunedin via Central Otago
- Queenstown to Dunedin via Invercargill
- Queenstown to Milford Sound
- Queenstown to Nelson via the West Coast
A 2 day, 562km road trip
Christchurch to Geraldine 95 minutes
Geraldine to Fairlie 40 minutes
Fairlie to Lake Tekapo 35 minutes
Lake Tekapo to Twizel 50 minutes
Twizel to Mt Cook to Twizel 120 minutes
Twizel to Omarama 25 minutes
Omarama to Tarras 50 minutes
Tarras to Wanaka 30 minutes
Wanaka to Cardrona 25 minutes
Cardrona to Arrowtown 30 minutes
Arrowtown to Queenstown 20 minutes
