Glaciers in New Zealand
Maori children
Northland, New Zealand
Queen Charlotte Sound
Routeburn Track
Boating in Taupo
Tongariro, New Zealand
Wellington, New Zealand

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Day 14 : Queenstown to Lake Tekapo

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

  Travel time Km (Miles)
Queenstown - Omarama 2 hrs 164 103
Omarama - Twizel 0.5 hr 30 19
Twizel - Mt Cook Village 0.75 hr 64 40
Mt Cook Village - Lake Tekapo 1.25 hrs 104 65
Totals for Day 4.5 hrs 362 226

Queenstown - Omarama

Queenstown - Omarama

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

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.

The vineyards of the Gibbston area are the first temptation on your journey. Then stop and admire the Roaring Meg power station in the Kawarau Gorge.

The restored heart of Cromwell is a treasure for visitors, or take a detour to the old gold workings of Bannockburn. Lake Dunstan is a fine place for a picnic before you launch yourself into the beautiful Lindis Pass—just magic when there's snow around.

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 - Twizel

Omarama - Twizel

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

Omarama'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, golf and fishing are other entertainment options.

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

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 - Mt Cook Village

Twizel - Mt Cook Village

64 km (40 miles)
Approximately 0.75 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 road to Mt Cook 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.

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.

Mt Cook Village - Lake Tekapo

Mt Cook Village - Lake Tekapo

104 km (65 miles)
Approximately 1.25 hours
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 Lake Tekapo takes you down the Tasman Valley to beautiful Lake Pukaki. The opaque turquoise colour of this lake and others in the area is caused by fine, glacier-ground rock particles held in suspension. At the southern end of the lake you'll turn left and drive through golden tussock land to Lake Tekapo.

The settlement of Lake Tekapo is at the southern end of the lake. Fishing, kayaking, bike riding, horse trekking and skiing are some of the things you can do. The Church of the Good Shepherd and the sheepdog statue are great photo opportunities.

View more Specialised New Zealand driving routes.

Directory Information

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

Omarama, Otago:
Accommodation, Attractions and Activities, Tours

Waitaki, Otago:
Accommodation, Attractions and Activities

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

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

Lake Tekapo, Canterbury:
Accommodation, Attractions and Activities, Tours, Transport, Visitor Information

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