14 Best Stops Between Queenstown and Lake Tekapo

  • Lake Hayes. Mirror-like reflections at Lake Hayes!
  • Arrow Junction Lookout. Just one of the views at the very start of Crown Range Road at a pull over bay.
  • Crown Range summit.
  • Cardona Hotel.
  • Bradrona.
  • Wanaka.
  • Lindis Pass Lookout.
  • Hot Tubs Omarama.

Thereof Do you need snow chains in Queenstown? The Queenstown Lakes District Council recommends that you carry snow chains as a precaution in winter, no matter where you plan on travelling in the area. … If you ignore signs saying you need to fit snow chains, you risk being fined.

What is there to do between Rick Anau and Wanaka? The top stops along the way from Wanaka to Te Anau (with short detours) are Queenstown Gardens, Te Anau Glowworm Caves, and Lake Wānaka. Other popular stops include Glenorchy-Queenstown Road, Kiwi Birdlife Park, and Cardrona Alpine Resort.

Similarly, What is there to do between Wanaka and Haast?

Makarora, at the northern tip of Lake Wanaka, is a launching point for several multi-day walks in Mount Aspiring National Park. A number of shorter walks begin at the highway’s edge between Makarora to Haast. Favourites include walks to the Blue Pools, Fantail Falls, Thunder Creek Falls and Roaring Billy.

How long does it take to drive from Wanaka to Mount Cook?

At 199 kilometres this drive takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. However, we recommend taking at least half a day to make the most of the many photos stops and walks on offer.

How often is Milford Sound road closed? How many days a year is the Milford Road closed and why? On average about eight days a year, mainly in winter, when treacherous weather and the high avalanche risk make driving on the road unsafe.

Do 4WD need snow chains NZ?

There is still rubber (slippery) against snow or ice (slippery) and at times you’ll still need to fit chains. So, even 4WD owners need to always carry chains, always.

Is it safe to drive in the South Island in winter? Driving the South Island During Winter

The road is prone to snow, ice and avalanches, and it is mandatory to carry chains in the winter. Have a stopover – It is a long drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound at around four hours. A good idea to make the drive less challenging is to have a night in Te Anau.

Where should I eat between Queenstown and Te Anau?

Five Rivers Café is a rural café, art gallery and farmyard, located halfway between Queenstown and Te Anau on the tourist route to Milford Sound. The café’s friendly staff serve some of the best coffee and food in the South.

What is there to see between Fox Glacier and Wanaka? 15 Best Stops on the Drive from Wanaka to Franz Josef

  1. Lake Hawea. Lake Hawea is beautiful! …
  2. Lake Wanaka Lookout (just after “The Neck”) This is one windy road and the views of the lake are magnificent! …
  3. The Blue Pools. …
  4. Haast Pass Lookout. …
  5. Fantail Falls. …
  6. Thunder Creek Falls. …
  7. Haast River Lookout. …
  8. Roaring Billy Falls.

What is between Queenstown and Te Anau? The first stop on your road trip from Queenstown to Te Anau has to be Jacks Point, just a 20-minute drive from Queenstown. Jacks Point is a gorgeous neighborhood with views of the Remarkables mountain range. There are also lovely walks and cycling tracks as well as Jacks Point Restaurant at the golf course.

What is the Haast Pass road like? Is the Haast Pass dangerous? It’s a difficult road, with uncountable curves and bends making passing quite difficult. The road features a few one-lane bridges along the way, with speed limit for heavy vehicles. And there’s slip hazard which can have terribly fatal consequences.

Is Franz Josef or Fox Glacier better?

Fox has a gradual decent, whereas Franz Josef drops steeply from the Southern Alps to near sea-level. The steeper incline forces dramatic movement of ice, making Franz Josef Glacier the fastest commercially guided glacier in the world, with ice moving up to 5m per day!

Can you walk to Fox Glacier?

The walk will take you to within about 500m of the glacier terminal face. Even on a cloudy day, Fox Glacier valley looks like it’s from another world. The final section of track to the safety barriers includes a short climb up to the viewing area.

Is Mount Cook worth visiting? Is it Mount Cook worth visiting? Absolutely! Mount Cook is the tallest mountain in New Zealand, and as such, is seriously impressive. There are tons of beautiful walks and hikes to do in Mount Cook National Park that lead to stunning viewpoints of Mount Cook and nearby glaciers.

Is it worth driving to Milford Sound? Regarding concerns about time, you have to realize that although the drive to Milford Sound is a lengthy one, it is also an extremely scenic drive. Really, the drive out to Milford Sound is half the appeal. If you have a rental car, there are many opportunities to stop along the way and you definitely should.

Is Twizel worth visiting?

Twizel is just a wee place (population around 1,300), and is definitely known more for its stunning surrounds and activities close by than as a destination itself. There’s still a bit going on in the town centre, though, so it’s worth hanging out to enjoy for a while.

Can you drive to Milford Sound in July? Transit New Zealand looks after the Milford Road which provides the only road access to Milford Sound. It is therefore essential for Transit to keep this road safe and open all year round. In winter season (May to September) snow, ice and risk of avalanches make safe driving critical.

Can you drive campervan to Milford Sound?

Want to self drive to Milford Sound along one of the world’s most scenic routes? You can get there in a car or campervan – but make sure you read our guide on driving to Milford Sound to make sure you’ve planned well and avoided some common mistakes.

Can you do Milford Sound in a day? While you can spend more than one day in Milford Sound, a one-day itinerary is enough to see all the beautiful views along the way, take a scenic cruise around the fiord, and get back to Queenstown or Te Anau in time for dinner. There is a wide range of Milford Sound day tours on offer through many local companies.

How fast is icy roads?

Slowing down is the most important thing to do when driving on ice and snow. High speeds make it both easy to lose control and difficult to stop. You should never be driving faster than 45mph in any vehicle when roads are icy – not even on highways! In many cases, much slower speeds are necessary.

Are tire chains as good as AWD? The advantage of having chains on all four tires, when permissible, is that this will ensure that both the front and rear of the vehicle will maintain equivalent traction, not just when accelerating but also when braking and turning. This set up provides maximum stability for an AWD vehicle.

Are tire chains as good as 4 wheel drive?

Yes, 4-wheel drives will require snow chain tires if the snow requirement stipulates that. … So now we know, depending on the requirement level for road safety in your area, even a 4 wheel drive will need to fit snow chains if driving conditions get bad enough that not even snow tires on all 4 wheels will suffice.

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