Self-Drive Day Trips From Queenstown: 6 Scenic Journeys
Whether you're in town for business or leisure, Queenstown is the perfect base to launch your self-drive adventures. From snow-capped mountains to lush wine valleys, these short scenic drives let you explore the South Island's most gorgeous highlights in a heartbeat.
To jumpstart your day, Enterprise Rent-A-Car has put together six-day trip options for your travels. We'll make it easy to fit an extra adventure into your schedule and discover local gems along the road.
Ending your New Zealand travels outside of Queenstown? Our quick and easy one-way rental program has you covered. This means you can organise a drop-off at any Enterprise branch of your choosing, no matter your starting location.
With six scenic routes to match any schedule, day trip planning has never been easier. Book a vehicle today and take the wheel for an epic South Island adventure.
6 Self-Drive Trips from Queenstown
Launch your South Island travels from Queenstown, the official adventure capital of New Zealand! Home to world-class dining, entertainment, and activities against a backdrop of alpine beauty, it is worth spending a couple of days exploring Queenstown itself before hitting the road.
Hop off your flight and head 15 minutes from Queenstown Airport to the city centre for all the action! Enjoy skiing, sky diving, jetboating and more around Lake Wakatipu, or relax at the Onsen Hot Pools and Day Spa.
1. Queenstown to Arrowtown, via Gorge Road and Malaghans Road (19 km - 19 minutes)
Short on time? Zip from Queenstown to Arrowtown, a historic gold mining town that is perfect for a bite-sized adventure packed with local stories, charming scenery and a side of homemade fudge.
Quick Stats
- Trip Distance: 19 km
- Driving time: 19 minutes
- Car recommendation: Compact car
- Suitable for: Couples, business travellers, history buffs
Explore Arrowtown and discover what life was like in the heyday of the mid-1800s gold rush. Wander down the tree-lined Main Street with its beautifully restored heritage buildings, now housing modern cafes and boutique shops.
Drop by the Lakes District Museum and maybe even strike gold with a gold panning experience of your own!
For golfing fans, Millbrook Resort is a must-visit. Test your game at the world-class 27-hole golf course, surrounded by towering mountains and home to the New Zealand Open. A great place to take swing-happy partners and clients if out on business.
If you're feeling peckish, Provisions of Arrowtown Cafe makes a fantastic brunch stop. Head to Fork and Tap or Postmasters Kitchen + Bar (Wi-Fi available) for late-night meals with a lively atmosphere.
2. Queenstown to Gibbston Valley and Kawarau Gorge, via State Highway 6 (35 km - 32 minutes)
Just a short drive away from Queenstown, pair a visit to Gibbston Valley and Kawarau Gorge for a fun-filled day trip. From vineyards and cheese tasting to the world's first commercial bungy jump, there's something for every adventurer!
Quick Stats
- Trip Distance: 35 km
- Driving time: 32 minutes
- Car recommendation: Compact car
- Suitable for: Couples, business travellers, wine lovers, adventure seekers
Nothing says New Zealand like wine valleys, gorgeous hikes, and bungy jumping in one of the most beautiful gorges in the South Island.
Roll into the Gibbston Valley, a famous wine-growing region abundant with wines, cheeses, and delicacies to enjoy. Join a guided tour through local favourites like Kinross Winery and pick up a bottle for a delicious souvenir to enjoy on a picnic or back home. Drop by Gibbston Tavern, a crowd favourite for lunch.
Switch gears and head further up the road to Kawarau Gorge. Take a leap of faith bungy jumping above the Kawarau River or zoom through its turquoise waters via jet boat.
There are plenty of short hiking trails in the area and viewpoints like Kawarau Suspension Bridge and Roaring Meg Lookout to check out. Visit Panners - Bar & Kitchen for a hearty feed (including free Wi-Fi), right next to Goldfields Mining Centre.
3. Queenstown to Crown Range Summit, via Crown Range Road (41 km - 43 minutes)
Head along Crown Range Road to experience some of the most stunning mountain scenery in New Zealand. Savour fresh alpine air from the highest road in the country, then pop by the iconic Cardrona Hotel or Distillery on your drive back!
Quick Stats
- Trip Distance: 41 km
- Driving time: 43 minutes
- Car recommendation: SUV
- Suitable for: Families, couples, business travellers, nature lovers
Less than an hour away from Queenstown, the Crown Range Road is a tried and true favourite amongst locals and travellers. Discover awe-inspiring panoramic mountain views from Crown Range Road Scenic Lookout and Crown Range Summit in the surrounding Central Otago region.
Stop by the historic Cardrona Hotel, one of New Zealand's oldest pubs, and enjoy a pint in the beer garden. Alternatively, head down the road past Cradrona Bra Fence, a quirky attraction locally known as 'Bradrona'.
For souvenirs, you can't go past a bottle from the nearby Cardrona Distillery. This artisanal distillery produces traditionally made spirits from scratch.
4. Queenstown to Glenorchy, via Glenorchy-Queenstown Road (46 km - 48 minutes)
Hit the road to Glenorchy for a day trip that ticks all the boxes for any traveller! From kayaking to Middle‑earth™ trails, discover everything you need from an outdoor adventure.
Quick Stats
- Trip Distance: 46 km
- Driving time: 48 minutes
- Car recommendation: Compact car
- Suitable for: Families, couples, business travellers, The Lord of the Rings fans
Fringed by the shores of northern Lake Wakatipu, Glenorchy is a nature lover's paradise. Discover rustic South Island charm in this town surrounded by soaring mountain ranges and beech forest.
Adrenaline seekers, get your heart pumping with jet boating, kayaking, ziplining and more in this local adventure hub. Wander the Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway, an easy walking track offering a lush combination of wetlands, native birdlife, and panoramic views of the Southern Alps.
Keep an eye out for several The Lord of the Rings filming locations dotted around the area for a pinch of Middle‑earth™ magic!
On your way back to Queenstown, stop by Mrs Woolly's General Store. This charming local shop offers a wide selection of handmade New Zealand souvenirs, perfect for friends and family.
5. Queenstown to Wānaka, via Crown Range Road (69 km - 1 hour 10 minutes)
Explore Wānaka, a picturesque lake just over 1 hour's drive from Queenstown. From lavender fields and hiking trails to optical illusions and clay target shooting, Wānaka will pique any visitor's curiosity!
Quick Stats
- Trip Distance: 69-75 km
- Driving time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Car recommendation: SUV
- Suitable for: Families, couples, business travellers
Hit the road from Queenstown to Wānaka for a scenic drive packed with adventure. Roll into town and grab breakfast from Scroggin Coffee and Eatery (free Wi-Fi) or Big Fig Wanaka (halal and vegetarian options, free Wi-Fi).
Explore endless quirkiness at Puzzling World, clay target shooting thrills at Crossfire Wānaka, and snap a pic of the iconic #ThatWanakaTree before relaxing at the picturesque Wānaka Lakefront.
For lunch, you can't go past Hook Wanaka Lake to Plate for the freshest local ingredients or Kika Restaurant for tapas delivered with local NZ produce.
Finish your day with a stroll through Wanaka Lavender Farm, where gorgeous floral vistas meet a fragrant paradise.
6. Queenstown to Fiordland National Park, via State Highway 6 and State Highway 94 (171 km - 2 hours 13 minutes)
Go the extra mile to discover Fiordland National Park, home to many of the South Island's iconic natural wonders. Head out on the water on fjord cruises, kayak with dolphins, and explore three of New Zealand's Great Walks.
Quick Stats
- Trip Distance: 171 km
- Driving time: 2 hours 13 minutes
- Car recommendation: SUV
- Suitable for: Families, couples, business travellers
Drive to Te Anau, the "gateway to Fiordland", to begin your adventures. Hop on a scenic flight to experience Milford Sound from above.
Cruise the famous fjords with one of the many daily cruises on offer, or take to the water yourself by sea kayaking or diving.
While Fiordland National Park is home to three of New Zealand's Great Walks (Milford Track, Kepler Track, Routeburn Track), these trails take 3-5 days to complete. If you're short on time, try some day walks from Te Anau, which take you to some stunning sections of the Great Walk tracks.
Fill your stomachs up at Te Anau before heading further into the national park. Grab coffee from Olive Tree Cafe (free Wi-Fi), or head to Redcliff Restaurant and Bar or Glow Worm Restaurant for a bigger feed.
Hot tip: Pack insect repellent to protect against the sandflies and rug up in warm layers. It can get cold, windy, and snowy at any time of year!
Rental Cars from Queenstown
Main highways and most local roads in and around Queenstown are fully sealed and well-maintained. For narrow, mountainous roads such as the Crown Range Road, you may want a car that can handle steep and windy conditions. We would recommend:
Bleisure Travel Driving Business Forward
Thanks to flexible working conditions, bleisure travel (combining business and leisure) is more popular than ever. If you’re on a business trip to Queenstown, our flexible business car rental options can help you make the most of your visit.
Navigate your meetings easily and clock in some epic South Island sightseeing along the way! With no membership fees, a dedicated Account Manager and 24/7 roadside assistance, our personalised business package can work for any short or long-term business travel plans.
Scheduling extra fun into your next work trip or when hosting clients from out of town? Check out our tips for making bleisure travel in Queenstown a smooth ride:
- Cafe culture: Find cafes with a quality NZ brew and a side of Wi-Fi to fuel your plans. Queenstown Cafe and The Buzzstop Honey Centre & Cafe are local options with great coffee and free Wi-Fi to get work done between meetings.
- Convenient hotels geared for business: Look for hotels that offer business-specific amenities to meet your needs, such as Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park or QT Queenstown. Think meeting rooms, fax/copying services, audio-visual equipment and more. Hotels like Mi-Pad Queenstown even offer fully equipped coworking spaces with numerous USB and power points to keep you connected.
- Accommodation with leisure options: Don't spend your whole trip indoors with Queenstown's stunning alpine landscapes right on your front step! Search for hotels that offer day adventure packages as well as business amenities. Make exploring easy with day cruises, skiing packages with rental equipment included, and more.
Steer Your Way With Epic Day Trips From Queenstown!
Self-driving day trips from Queenstown are the ideal way to discover the South Island, especially on a time crunch. Whether you're a relaxed foodie or an extreme sports enthusiast, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is here to help you steer towards your dream day out with these six scenic routes.
For extra adventure, discover the sights from Queenstown to Mount Cook, or go the extra mile with a full-blown South Island road trip! With car rental branches at Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, and Invercargill, you can plan a road trip around the whole island. We also offer one-way rentals to make travel planning as easy as possible.
Experience the freedom of the road with an Enterprise car rental today!