Queenstown to Mt Cook One Way Tour

Itinerary:

1.   Queenstown – Your tour starts in the stunning city of Queenstown. As we drive out of the city, your guide will not only set the scene for your adventurous day but also point out and guide you past some of the area's top highlights.

2.   Kawarau Suspension Bridge – Departing Queenstown, we then make our way through the stunning Kawarau Gorge, passing stunning views, the Kawarau Suspension Bridge, and the famous Roaring Meg Lookout. Time and light permitting, we will stop for that first great shot of the tour.

3.   Cromwell – Exiting the Kawarau Gorge, we enter the fruit and wine growing region of Cromwell. Passing huge fields of vines, we cross Lake Dunstan and follow this beautiful lake towards Lindis Pass.

4.   Lindis Pass – Climbing in altitude, Lindis Pass has amazing views down through the valleys. Being one of only three alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps, we stop at the famous lookout at the top of the pass for an essential photo.  

5.   Omarama – While driving through the endless plains of the Mackenzie district, we will spot several of the famous Merino breed of sheep before stopping at the quaint township of Omarama. While in Omaram, we have time for a break or even to try the best creamy chicken pie in NZ (in our opinion)!

6.   Lake Pukaki – Turning west, we begin to enter the Aoraki National Park, and Lake Pukaki begins to emerge in front of us. Lake Pukaki is one of the bluest lakes you will ever see and is stunningly framed by the backdrop of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. We stop for some amazing photos and to just marvel at the sight that we are beholding. It’s not hard to see why many Lord of the Rings scenes were filmed nearby, and we will point them out for you.

7.   Mt Cook Information Centre – Arriving at Mt Cook Village, weather depending, we should get some amazing shots of the mountain itself.  At 3724m, Aoraki/Mt Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak; however, the mountain can be viewed without any acclimatisation whatsoever from the village, which is just 750m above sea level. Your guided transfer ends here, but your adventure to explore Mt Cook is only just beginning.