Queenstown to Lake Tekapo road trip: perfect stops

Whether you’re new to the South Island or have done a number of trips before, there’s always more to see in this perfect part of the world. Especially on a Queenstown to Lake Tekapo road trip! From Mount Pisa to Lake Wanaka, the great outdoors is quite literally at your fingertips - make sure to pack a pair of sturdy walking shoes, so you can venture out and see everything that’s on offer.

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Queenstown To Lake Tekapo Road Trip Stops

Stop 1: Queenstown to Bannockburn

Travel time: 47 minutes

Distance: 58.8km

This small historic gold mining town often gets overlooked by travellers, which is what makes it the perfect place to check out. There’s so much history to discover, you’ll find yourself lost in the scenery – and maybe even digging for a little gold yourself at the Bannockburn Sluicing Historic Reserve. There’s a great walk where you can explore some of the history, or even take one of the cycling tracks if you have a little more time.

You can head off to check out Mt Difficulty Wines, which is an amazing winery in the area that has a tasting room for sampling, along with an eatery where you can sit down and enjoy a bite to eat. For some more wine, there’s also Terra Sancta where you can enjoy another amazing vineyard.

For a change of scenery, head over to Lake Dunstan for views you won’t forget anytime soon. It’s a tranquil man-made reservoir where you can enjoy boating, water skiing, fishing and more.

You can also replenish yourself at some of the amazing food places nearby, including Bannockburn Chinese, Runaway Multicultural Cuisine, Clyde Park Vineyard & Bistro and Rays Fish & Chips Bannockburn.

Stop 2: Bannockburn to Mount Pisa

Travel time: 14 minutes

Distance: 18.1km

You can either include this stop as a day trip from Bannockburn or just stop off for the day on your way to Wanaka (the next stop on the list). There isn’t much distance between the two places, but the trek up the mountain is well worth the stop if you have the time.

Mount Pisa has a hard elevation of 1600m, so it’s not for the faint-hearted. It’s not an easy walk to make it up to the plateau at the top of the mountain. But if you’re up for the challenge, the views at the top are out of this world. You just can’t compete with them.

Stop 3: Mount Pisa to Wanaka

Travel time: 29 minutes

Distance: 41.4km

Wanaka is a well-known resort town in New Zealand that is famous for its snow-capped mountains. If you’re travelling in Winter, then you want to make sure you pack your woolly warmths to get you through.

Wanaka is the perfect place to base yourself for a whole host of amazing outdoor activities. You can go skydiving, canyoning, climbing, or mountaineering, or head over to the lakes and rivers for some kayaking, fishing, cruises or jet-boating. If you do happen to make it here in the Winter months, then throw on a pair of skis and head to one of the four ski areas that are just a short drive away.

If you’re looking for a break from all this adrenalin-raising adventure, then there’s plenty more you can check out in this town. Head over and check out the many boutique stores for a spot of shopping. You can also check out their Transport and Toy Museum, which is one of the largest private collections in the world with rare and unusual cars, trucks, motorcycles and more. Soak up a little culture at their art gallery where you can view contemporary and traditional artwork.

Finally, if you’re finding yourself a little peckish, then you can stop off for a bit to eat. From casual to fine dining, you’ll find something to suit any occasion. Some of our favourites are Trout Bar, with some of the freshest ingredients, Francesca’s Italian Kitchen and Florence’s Foodstore and Café.

Stop 4: Wanaka to Lake Ohau

Travel time: 2 hours 11 minutes

Distance: 163km

This is the biggest stretch of the trip, so plan it for a day you’re well-rested. You can also stop off on the way as well and check out Omarama, or Lindis Valley as you go. This stunning glacial lake is the perfect place to stop and unwind for a few nights on your Queenstown to Lake Tekapo road trip.

This stop is a little further off the route that most tourists take when travelling the South Island. For this reason, you can experience most of what it has to offer in solitude. You might come across a few fishermen in Summer, or the odd skier in Winter, but you’ll avoid the general hustle and bustle that tourists bring to an area.

There are plenty of walks and mountain bike trails around the lake. If you’re there in Summertime, you can make the walk up the mountain and gain a spectacular view of everything below. If you’re planning to visit in the winter months, then this mountain will be covered in snow and perfect for Winter sports.

The Lake Ohau Lodge is well-known as a great place to both stay and eat during your visit. There’s also a number of other cafés and restaurants you can check out, including Poppies Café, Ministry of Works Bar and Eatery, and Shawty’s Café. It’s the perfect chance to mix with the locals and really experience the New Zealand culture on your trip.

Stop 5: Lake Ohau to Lake Tekapo

Travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Distance: 82.4km

Final stop, Lake Tekapo! A place that features highly on many people’s bucket lists when it comes to travelling the sights of the South Island. And for good reason to. There’s plenty to keep you busy during your stay, it might be work setting aside a couple of nights to make sure you get the most out of it.

You can start off by stargazing, since Lake Tekapo is recognised internationally for its pristine conditions. You can join a tour, or just hope in the campervan and head out of town for a quiet spot. If you’re after a good photo opportunity, head to the Church of the Good Shepherd, which is the most photographed building in New Zealand.

Ready to get warm? There’s plenty of hot pools around Lake Tekapo to help with that. All vary in size and temperature and even turn into ice rinks in the winter months.

Finally, if you want to soak up more stunning views, head up the Cowans Hill Walkway and be sure to bring your camera with you for the scenery. It’s well worth the hike.

There’s plenty of restaurants and cafes in the area for you to test out during your stay. From Ramen Tekapo and Kohan Restaurant to Our Dog Friday and Dark Sky Diner.

Plan your Queenstown to Lake Tekapo road trip

When it comes to the many amazing places to check out on the South Island, it’s definitely more about the journey than the actual destination. And there are so many different routes you can choose from when it comes to planning the ideal Queenstown to Lake Tekapo road trip. You can also stop at Roaring Meg, Bendigo and Lindis Pass, or Mount Pisa, Lindis Valley and Omarama. If you have time, think about extending your trip and making it aQueenstown to Christchurch road trip.

There are also plenty ofQueenstown holiday parks to get your trip started. Just hit the open road and enjoy all the adventures to be had on this South Island adventure!