Can you do a day trip to Lake Tekapo from Queenstown?
If you’re driving from Queenstown to Lake Tekapo, a day trip is achievable, but I must say exhausting, especially if you are travelling with kids.
The drive takes approximately 3 hours without stopovers. I highly recommend staying overnight somewhere along the way instead of doing the entire journey in one day.
Although the drive is incredibly scenic, it’s also long, and you’ll likely want to stop often to enjoy the many breathtaking viewpoints. Breaking up the trip gives you more time to explore at a relaxed pace and makes the journey much less tiring.
Is Lake Tekapo worth visiting?
If you’re wondering whether Lake Tekapo is worth the drive, our answer is a definite YES. The incredible scenery alone makes the journey worthwhile, and it’s one of those places that looks even more beautiful in person.
From the moment we arrived, we couldn’t stop admiring the views. Everywhere you look is simply breathtaking, and every walk feels like a scenic postcard.
How many days do you need in Lake Tekapo?
From our recent trip with kids, I find 2-3 days are enough to explore Lake Tekapo, not rushed, but at your own pace.
Queenstown to Lake Tekapo Drive
We rented a 12-seater van on our round-trip journey from Queenstown to Lake Tekapo as we needed more space for luggages, given we were headed straight to the airport on our way back.
We highly recommend Yes Rentals for a big group or 12-seater transport. From pickup to drop-off, everything was a breeze. Definitely worth the money.
What to see between Queenstown and Lake Tekapo?
There are so many things to see on a Queenstown to Lake Tekapo drive, from laidback towns to breathtaking lookouts, relaxing cafes and spectacular lake views.
Trust me when I say, the scenic drive will take your breath away. Every turn will leave you in awe. Snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, and endless valleys unfold before your eyes, and you’ll be tempted to stop at almost every turn.
1. Arrowtown
Upon reaching this quaint little town, we happened to see a playground surrounded by beautiful colours of spring flowers. Of course, we just had to stop and let the kids play. The playground itself is breathtaking enough.
We only had a short stop as we were continuing our road trip, but we instantly fell in love with its charm. We made sure to visit Provisions Café for its amazing Belgian hot chocolate, and we’d happily return to spend more time exploring this beautiful little town.
2. The Crown Range Summit
To be honest, this stopover is never even on my list, but out of curiosity, we stopped by the lookout. It was foggy and freezing cold, but the amazing view was worth it.
3. Cardrona Hotel
Cardona is definitely a must-visit on your Queenstown to Lake Tekapo drive. We needed to stop for lunch and happened to be closest to the Cardrona Hotel.
From the outside, it looked like a typical hotel, but that quickly changed the moment we stepped inside. The atmosphere was incredibly cosy and welcoming, and at the back is a garden with comfortable outdoor seating.
What we really loved was the garden. There was a lovely outdoor fireplace and dining area with clear weather screens where guests could enjoy eating outside without freezing.
One of our favourite features was the outdoor playground, which gave our kids a chance to stretch their legs after the drive and kept them happily entertained while we waited for our meal.
Even though it was a very cold day, the place felt warm and inviting. The beautiful surroundings, with their rustic vibe and cosy touches, made us want to stay there all afternoon.
4. Cardrona Bra Fence
Also known as “Bradrona,” is another quirky and memorable stop you can add to your Queenstown to Lake Tekapo road trip, especially if you’re travelling via the Cardrona route.
What started as a small roadside display has become a popular landmark and a symbol of support for breast cancer awareness, with visitors leaving bras to raise awareness and funds for an important cause.
5. Cromwell
Cromwell is another worthwhile stop if you’re taking the alternate route between Queenstown and Lake Tekapo. We visited on our drive back and were glad we did, so if you happen to choose this route, it’s a great place to take a break.
You’ll know you’ve arrived when you spot the town’s famous giant fruit sculptures along the highway, a fun and iconic landmark that’s hard to miss!
Right by the road, you’ll find a skate park and playground, as well as local shops and cafes, making it a convenient stop. We picked up some food and enjoyed a picnic while the kids had fun at the playground, making it a good place to recharge before continuing our road trip.
6. Roaring Meg Lookout
This is a quick but worthwhile stop that you can include depending on which route you take between Queenstown and Lake Tekapo.
We stopped here on our way back to Queenstown via a different route, but this scenic road can also be taken on your way to Lake Tekapo.
It was the perfect place to pull over, stretch our legs, take a break from driving, and simply relax while enjoying the beautiful views.
7. Wanaka Lake
This is one of those places where you just want to spend your entire afternoon. It’s the perfect place for a stroll along the lake, a relaxing picnic, or simply sitting back and taking in the breathtaking scenery.
The crystal-clear lake, framed by snow-capped mountains, creates a view that’s nothing short of spectacular, while cafes and food shops just across the road make it easy to grab a coffee or a bite to eat.
We honestly wished we had planned to stay longer. We made a mental note to return one day and spend at least a couple of nights.
8. Wanaka Lavender Farm
Around this time on the road trip, we were all feeling tired. We opted to just sit outside and enjoy some well-deserved R&R.
We decided to try the lavender tea at Wanaka Farm, mostly because we were drawn to its beautiful purple colour! It turned out to be the perfect warm drink for the chilly weather.
We also loved the free honey tasting at the tea room, and the kids happily enjoyed some ice cream after that.
For an additional fee (around NZ$10 per person when we visited), you can wander through the expansive lavender fields and see some farm animals. It would have been a wonderful experience for the kids, but by then we were too tired to explore any further.
9. High Country Salmon
Everybody was feeling for some sushi once we stopped at High Country Salmon! The salmon was incredibly fresh and, without a doubt, some of the best we’ve ever tasted. If you’re a seafood lover, this is one stop you definitely won’t want to miss.
One of our favourite parts was the free salmon feeding area, where the kids had so much fun watching and feeding the fish. It’s a quick but enjoyable stop.
10. Lake Ruataniwha, Twizel
From outside High Country Salmon, you can already see the beautiful backdrop of snow-peaked mountains and Lake Ruataniwha. We easily drove across, and not far ahead, we stopped to take in all of its beauty and snap some photos.
11. Lake Pukaki
One of our favourite stops on our Queenstown to Lake Tekapo drive is definitely Lake Pukaki! There are so many spots around the turquoise-blue lake with picnic tables where you can stop to appreciate the view or take a break and enjoy some snacks.
The place was very peaceful, feels almost magical. We just took our time sitting here, having enjoyable conversations as we knew we were nearing our destination.
12. Lake Tekapo
We finally reached our final destination, Lake Tekapo! We booked our stay at Lake Edge Holiday Park with our group of eight, and it was an ideal place for families travelling with kids, with the lake right at our doorstep!
The property had plenty of open space for children to run around, two different playgrounds, and lots of opportunities to connect with nature. The kids loved exploring the surroundings and spotting wildlife.
After a long but incredibly scenic drive, we were ready to head straight to our accommodation, rest, and recharge for the next day’s adventures around this beautiful alpine village.
The Wrap Up: Queenstown to Lake Tekapo Drive
Driving from Queenstown to Lake Tekapo honestly made me wonder, how can a place this beautiful even exist? It almost didn’t feel real.
Every turn reveals another jaw-dropping view, and you’ll quickly realise the journey is just as spectacular as the destination.
