📷 Photo by Denise Jans on UnsplashQueenstown, Glenorchy and Arrowtown on Lake Wakatipu
A lake-edge loop from adventure capital Queenstown to the head of Lake Wakatipu, the gold-rush streets of Arrowtown and the Kawarau Gorge.
- Distance
- 147 km (92 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 36 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 11
- States
- New Zealand
- Updated
- May 6, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 147 km (92 mi) with 11 stops, from Queenstown to Kawarau Bridge Bungy. About 1 h 36 min of driving in total.
More road trips in New Zealand · More road trips from Queenstown
Route description
Base yourself at a holiday park in or near Queenstown; freedom camping is tightly controlled around the town, so check council rules and use only signed sites if self-contained. On day one ride the Skyline Gondola, walk Queenstown Gardens and eat at Fergburger; order ahead, as queues are long. Parking in the centre is limited, so park a motorhome in a larger lot and walk.
Drive the Glenorchy road next, about 45 kilometres along the lake shore, taking at least an hour because of the bends and many photo stops. The road is sealed but narrow with steep drop-offs; there are no barriers in places. In Glenorchy walk the lagoon boardwalk, then continue about 25 kilometres on gravel to the Routeburn Shelter. Great Walk huts need booking; check DOC.
Return to Queenstown and head for Arrowtown, about 20 kilometres east, passing Lake Hayes on the way. Walk the Chinese Settlement along Bush Creek, then the main street and the Lakes District Museum. Arrowtown is busy in autumn when the trees change colour, and parking fills by midday, so arrive early. The road from Queenstown is sealed and busy, and a motorhome is best left at a holiday park or the larger car park on the edge of the village rather than on narrow central streets.
Finish with a drive along SH6 through the Kawarau Gorge to the historic bungy bridge, about 25 minutes from Queenstown, and on to the Gibbston Valley vineyards. The road is winding, with a number of narrow sections and limited places to pull over. Do not drive after wine tastings; use a shuttle or book a tasting only if you have a designated driver. Allow a full half day for the gorge and vineyards, and refuel in Queenstown beforehand.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Queenstown
New Zealand - 21 km
Skyline Gondola, Bob’s Peak
ViewsQueenstown, New ZealandA gondola climbs from central Queenstown to a lookout on Bob’s Peak with views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, plus a luge, café and restaurant. Tickets are paid, and sunset is the best time. Parking in town is limited; use the lots near the base.
- 32 km
Queenstown Gardens
NatureQueenstown, New ZealandA peninsula park on Lake Wakatipu with mature trees, rose beds, a rock garden and flat paths around the shore, a short walk from the centre. It is free and open all day. A calm place for a walk when the town is crowded.
- 41 km
Fergburger
FoodQueenstown, New ZealandA burger shop in central Queenstown with a long reputation and a long queue, open until the early hours. Order ahead by phone or app to shorten the wait, and take the food to the lakefront to eat. Expect crowds in high season.
- 536 km
Glenorchy
New Zealand - 60 km
Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway
NatureGlenorchy, New ZealandA boardwalk through wetland at the head of Lake Wakatipu near Glenorchy, with reflections of the surrounding mountains on calm mornings. The loop is flat and short, so it suits most walkers. Bring insect repellent in summer, and park near the jetty.
- 724 km
Routeburn Track Shelter
NatureGlenorchy, New ZealandThe Glenorchy end of the Routeburn Track, reached by a gravel road of about 25 kilometres from Glenorchy. Short walks lead to the Routeburn Flats and the first bridge. Great Walk huts and campsites need booking in the main season, so check the DOC site.
- 865 km
Lake Hayes
NatureArrowtown, New ZealandA small lake between Queenstown and Arrowtown with a gravel path around the shore and trees that turn orange in autumn. The calm water gives good reflections early in the morning. There is a car park and picnic area on the eastern side.
- 95 km
Arrowtown
New Zealand - 101 km
Arrowtown Chinese Settlement
HistoryArrowtown, New ZealandRestored stone and sod huts on Bush Creek where Chinese miners lived during the gold rush from the 1860s. Interpretation panels explain how they worked and lived. It is free to visit and a short walk from Arrowtown’s main street, which has shops and cafés.
- 1113 km
Kawarau Bridge Bungy
OdditiesQueenstown, New ZealandAn old suspension bridge in the Kawarau Gorge that became the site of the first commercial bungy jump in 1988, with a drop of 43 metres to the river. Even if you do not jump, there are viewing platforms and a café. It is on SH6, about 25 minutes from Queenstown.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Queenstown → Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway · 40 km · 0 h 26 minOn the way: Skyline Gondola, Bob’s Peak, Queenstown Gardens, Fergburger, Glenorchy.
- Day 2: Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway → Lake Hayes · 88 km · 0 h 58 minOn the way: Routeburn Track Shelter.
- Day 3: Lake Hayes → Kawarau Bridge Bungy · 19 km · 0 h 12 minOn the way: Arrowtown, Arrowtown Chinese Settlement.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually February–April and November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, October and December–January. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Queenstown, Glenorchy and Arrowtown on Lake Wakatipu?
3-day road trip of about 147 km (92 mi) with 11 stops, from Queenstown to Kawarau Bridge Bungy. About 1 h 36 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Queenstown, Glenorchy and Arrowtown on Lake Wakatipu?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 36 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Queenstown, Glenorchy and Arrowtown on Lake Wakatipu start and end?
It starts in Queenstown and ends in Kawarau Bridge Bungy.
Which states does Queenstown, Glenorchy and Arrowtown on Lake Wakatipu pass through?
New Zealand.
When is the best time for Queenstown, Glenorchy and Arrowtown on Lake Wakatipu?
The most pleasant months are usually February–April and November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, October and December–January. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
