Arrowtown, New Zealand
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Fiordland, New Zealand
Lake Matheson, New Zealand
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand
Rotorua, New Zealand

Driving Route : Queenstown - Christchurch - Queenstown

Day 5 : Mt Cook Village to Queenstown

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Route Summary

Travel time is approximate only, based on an average driving speed under normal road conditions.

  Travel time Km (Miles)
Mt Cook Village - Twizel 0.75 hr 64 40
Twizel - Omarama 0.5 hr 30 19
Omarama - Queenstown 2 hrs 164 103
Totals for Day 3.25 hrs 258 161

Mt Cook Village - Twizel

64 km (40 miles)
Approximately 0.75 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway

The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park includes the highest peak in Australasia (Mt Cook - 3,755 metres). The region attracts mountain climbers, hikers and scenery fanatics.

Heli skiing, heli hiking and aerial sightseeing provide visitors with amazing memories. A variety of walking trails begin in or near Mount Cook Village—most take only a couple of hours. In the bar of the local hotel, huge windows provide a perfect view of Mt Cook.

The road to Twizel hugs the edge of Lake Pukaki. The exquisite opaque turquoise colour of this lake and others in the area is caused by fine, glacier-ground rock particles held in suspension. The landscape is a mixture of high country tussock, farmland and snow-capped mountains.

Twizel is a well-placed base for mountain climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, horse trekking and hiking. It's also a place to spy on the rarest wading bird in the world—the Black Stilt. If you don't have the time to catch your own salmon, the local salmon farm sells it—fresh or smoked.

Twizel - Omarama

30 km (19 miles)
Approximately 0.5 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway

Twizel is a well-placed base for mountain climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, horse trekking and hiking. It's also a place to spy on the rarest wading bird in the world—the Black Stilt. If you don't have the time to catch your own salmon, the local salmon farm sells it—fresh or smoked.

The easy drive to Omarama takes you through picturesque sheep farming country fringed with mountain ranges. You'll have the chance to detour to the fascinating Paritea cliffs, which are constantly being exposed by the active Osler fault line. You could also pause to cast a line into the Ahuriri River—famous for sizeable rainbow and brown trout.

You'll know you're in Omarama when you see the giant merino sheep statue. This area's unique geography has made it a magnet for gliding enthusiasts. The northwesterly wind blows steadily to form the famous Northwest Arch, a thermal that can take the glider pilots to 10,000 metres. Scenic soaring can be arranged.

Omarama - Queenstown

164 km (103 miles)
Approximately 2 hours
Road Conditions: State Highway

You'll know you're in Omarama when you see the giant merino sheep statue. This area's unique geography has made it a magnet for gliding enthusiasts. The northwesterly wind blows steadily to form the famous Northwest Arch, a thermal that can take the glider pilots to 10,000 metres. Scenic soaring can be arranged.

Your trip to Queenstown begins with the beautiful Lindis Pass—just magic when there's snow around. Lake Dunstan is a fine place for a picnic before you explore the restored heart of Cromwell.

Take a detour to Bannockburn if you're interested in old gold workings. The vineyards of the Gibbston area and bungy jumpers at the Kawarau River Bridge are other interesting distractions.

The alpine resort of Queenstown is exciting, sophisticated and fantastically scenic. It's the place to source almost any kind of adventure, including bungy, jet boating, horse trekking, rafting and river surfing. It's also a destination for luxury experiences—gourmet food and wine, spa treatments and leisurely games of golf.

View more Queenstown driving routes.

Directory Information

Aoraki/Mt Cook:
Accommodation, Attractions and Activities, Tours, Transport, Visitor Information

Twizel, Canterbury:
Accommodation, Attractions and Activities, Tours, Visitor Information

Omarama and Waitaki, Otago:
Accommodation, Attractions and Activities

Queenstown:
Accommodation, Attractions and Activities, Tours, Transport, Visitor Information

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Hawkdun Rise

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Featured
 
Mainstay New Zealand Hotels

Mainstay NZ Hotels

Large collection of independent hotels.

Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels

Holiday packages for any occasion.

Hawkdun Rise

Hawkdun Rise

Boutique vineyard-stay near the town of Alexandra.