Day Trips from Arrowtown by Campervan: Gibbston, Glenorchy and the Crown Range

Quick summary: From a campervan base in Arrowtown, some of the South Island’s best experiences are less than an hour away. Gibbston’s cellar doors are around 20 minutes’ drive or a bike ride away, Lake Hayes is just down the road, the Crown Range climbs above the village towards Cardrona and Wānaka, and Lord of the Rings locations lie along the rivers and lakes. Some places, such as Macetown and Skippers Canyon, are best reached on a tour, leaving the campervan or motorhome parked.

Day trip	Distance from Arrowtown	Best way	Guide
Gibbston Valley	Around 20 km	Bike, tour or short drive	Gibbston Valley
Lord of the Rings sites	Varies	Tour	Lord of the Rings locations
Macetown	Around 15 km up the river	4WD tour, or a long walk or ride	Macetown
Lake Hayes and Millbrook	Around 5 km	Walk, bike or short drive	Lake Hayes and Millbrook
Crown Range and Cardrona	Around 25–40 km	Drive	Crown Range and Cardrona
Skippers Canyon	Via Queenstown	Tour only	Skippers Canyon

Which day trips need a tour rather than the RV?

Macetown and Skippers Canyon. Both are reached by narrow, unsealed roads with river crossings or steep drops, and rental agreements commonly exclude them. Four-wheel-drive and jet boat tours take you there safely, with guides who know the history. Wine tasting days are also best on a tour or bike.

Which day trips are easy to drive?

Lake Hayes, the Crown Range lookout and Cardrona are all on sealed roads and easy to reach in a campervan. Glenorchy, around an hour away along Lake Wakatipu, is another scenic drive.

For the full overview, see our Arrowtown by campervan hub.

Frequently Asked Questions