Day Trips from Arrowtown by Rental Car

Quick summary: With a rental car, Arrowtown sits at the centre of some of New Zealand’s finest short drives. Lake Hayes is a few minutes away, Gibbston’s cellar doors around 20 km, and the Crown Range road climbs to Cardrona and down to Wānaka in about an hour. Glenorchy’s lakeside road, Cromwell’s orchards and, in winter, Coronet Peak are all easy outings, while Milford Sound is a long day best broken with a night in Te Anau.

At a glance
Lake Hayes and Millbrook	A few minutes’ drive
Gibbston Valley	Around 20 km
Coronet Peak	Around 15 km, in the ski season
Cardrona and Wānaka	Around 60 km over the Crown Range
Cromwell	Around 55 km
Glenorchy	Around 65 km via Queenstown

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Which drive suits you?

Drive	Highlights	Tours
Gibbston Valley	Pinot Noir cellar doors in the Kawarau Gorge	Gibbston Valley tours
Crown Range to Wānaka	High-country views, Cardrona’s historic hotel, Lake Wānaka	Featured tours
Glenorchy	The road along Lake Wakatipu and film-location scenery	Lord of the Rings tours
Cromwell and Bannockburn	Orchards, the heritage precinct and more vineyards	Wine tours
Lake Hayes	A lakeside walk and reflections on still mornings	Photography tours

How should you handle wine tasting with a car?

Choose a designated driver who doesn’t drink, or leave the car and take a tour. New Zealand has a strict alcohol limit, and many wine tours and bike and wine tours collect from Arrowtown. See Gibbston Valley.

Is the Crown Range road suitable for a rental car?

Yes. It’s sealed but steep and winding, and one of the highest main roads in New Zealand. In winter it can be icy or snowy, and chains may be required, so check road conditions and your rental terms. See Crown Range and Cardrona.

Can you reach Milford Sound for the day?

From Arrowtown, it’s a very long return drive via Te Anau. Most visitors either stay a night in Te Anau or book a coach, cruise or scenic flight from Queenstown. Browse tours from Queenstown.

Which places are better reached by tour?

Skippers Canyon and Macetown, as rental agreements commonly exclude their roads. Guided 4WD trips, jet boats and walks cover both. See Skippers Canyon and Macetown.

What should you know about driving in the area?

Keep left, watch for cyclists on the trails and roads, and take care on single-lane bridges. Fuel up before long drives. In winter, frost lingers in shaded valleys well into the day.

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Frequently Asked Questions