Crown Range Road

The Crown Range Road climbs to 1,076 metres between the Wakatipu and Cardrona valleys, which makes it the highest sealed public road in New Zealand and the direct route between Queenstown and Wanaka - about an hour, against roughly ninety minutes round through Cromwell. The southern end is the part people talk about: a set of tight switchbacks climbing out of the Wakatipu basin with a lookout partway up giving Arrowtown, the basin and the Remarkables. The summit is open tussock, cold, and often the coldest place on the local forecast. In winter it carries snow and ice, chain requirements are common and it closes outright in bad weather; the Cromwell route is the alternative. Some rental agreements restrict it in winter. Along the way are the Cardrona Hotel and the bra fence, and in ski season it carries heavy traffic to the Cardrona and Treble Cone fields.

What you actually see

• The switchbacks - the tight climb out of the Wakatipu basin.
• The summit - 1,076 metres of open tussock, the highest sealed road.
• The lookout - Arrowtown and the basin from partway up.
• The Cardrona valley - the descent on the Wanaka side.

When to go

October to April for easy driving. In winter check conditions before setting out - chains are frequently required and the road closes in snow.

Honest expectations

The switchbacks are steep and tight; nervous drivers and large campervans find them hard work. Winter conditions are serious and rental agreements sometimes exclude the road. There are no services on the summit.

Nearby

Cardrona Hotel is on the northern side; Arrowtown and Queenstown are south.