Crown Range Road Summit Lookout
Crown Range Summit
The highest sealed main road in New Zealand, with switchbacks on the Arrowtown side and a summit lookout over the Wakatipu Basin and The Remarkables.
The Crown Range Road links Arrowtown and Wānaka. It is about 60 km long and peaks at 1,076 metres, making it New Zealand's highest sealed main road. Compared with the detour via Cromwell, it saves about 40 km. The zigzag bends on the climb from the Arrowtown side have roadside lookouts over the Arrowtown plains, the Wakatipu Basin and the distant Remarkables. It is one of Queenstown's classic scenic drives. The summit saddle has a car park and a short walking track. In autumn, the slopes along the way turn gold. In winter, the road can ice over, so carry snow chains, and it is occasionally closed in snowy weather. From Queenstown, the drive to the summit takes about 30 minutes. Continuing north and downhill leads to the Cardrona Valley.
Opening hours
Open all day (winter depends on road conditions)
Nearby sights
- Gibbston Valley
- Kawarau Bridge Bungy
- Nevis Bungy
- Arrowtown
- Cardrona Alpine Resort
- Cardrona Hotel
- The Remarkables Ski Area
- Lake Hayes