En Route to Queenstown
State Highway 6 is good traveling all the way from Wanaka to Queenstown; the trip takes around 1 1/2 hours. You'll drive around the edge of Lake Dunstan, which was formed behind the Clyde Dam. Bypassing Cromwell township, you then travel through the stone fruit orchards of the Cromwell area. As an introduction to the rapidly expanding wine industry in this area, stop at the Big Picture, State Highway 6, Cromwell (tel. 03/445-4052; www.wineadventure.co.nz). It has an excellent interactive wine film and tasting auditorium, a good cafe and restaurant, and a tasty selection of goodies from the area's wineries and boutique culinary producers. It's past the Cromwell turnoff on the left and open daily from 9am until 8pm. After passing through the winding Kawarau River Gorge, you come into Gibbston Valley -- awash with vineyards -- and on into Queenstown.
You could also go to Queenstown via the Crown Range. You'll be rewarded by spectacular views and a slightly shorter travel time than on the State Highway 6 route.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
