20 Stunning Stops on the Drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef (via Haast Pass)
The drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef is easily one of the best road trips in the South Island.
Along this incredible drive, you’ll experience a diverse array of scenery, including alpine lakes, clear blue rivers, waterfalls, rainforests, wild beaches, and glaciers.
It’s truly a spectacular journey.
I live in Queenstown and do this drive multiple times each year—it’s one of my favourite road trips from Queenstown.
In this guide, I’m sharing the best stops along the drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef to help you experience this epic road trip to its fullest.
So get your car or campervan sorted, and let’s get to it—here are some incredible places to see between Queenstown and Franz Josef!
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Map of the drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef
Where to hire a car or campervan
🚗 Car hire: I use Discover Cars to easily compare prices and vehicle models from all of the top NZ car rental companies. I usually just go with whoever has the best prices, but can recommend Snap, Go Rentals, and Ezi, to name a few.
🚐 Campervan Hire: Motorhome Republic is my go-to comparison tool for finding campervans in NZ. I’m also a big fan of JUCY vans.
How long is the drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef?
The drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef covers about 350 km (217 miles) and according to Google Maps, it takes 5 hours from point to point.
However, this is a major underestimation on the driving time.
Believe me, you’re going to want to spend a lot more time than that if you stop anywhere along the way!
I recommend taking 2-3 days to do this road trip, breaking up the drive with an overnight stay in Wanaka along the way.
And if you’re super keen to do the drive in one day, allow at least 8 hours to include some stops along the journey (and have a second driver with you if possible so you can share the driving).
Stops along the drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef
1. Arrowtown
Arrowtown is a charming historic gold-mining town, located just 20 minutes from Queenstown.
It makes for the perfect first stop along your road trip, but if you’ve already visited as a day trip from Queenstown, you can jump ahead to the next stop.
In Arrowtown, I recommend grabbing coffee at Wolf Coffee Roasters & breakfast at Provisions Cafe.
Then take a stroll down Buckingham Street, and walk along the Arrow River. The historic Chinese village is also a neat spot to visit.
After you’re fuelled up with some coffee and food, it’s time to hit the road!
2. Crown Range Road
After Arrowtown, make your way up the winding, steep Crown Range Road, the highest main road in New Zealand.
At the summit of the Crown Range Road, you’ll find a beautiful parking area offering epic views over Queenstown. And in early summer, patches of pink and purple lupins line the roadside.
Do check the conditions online before heading up the Crown Range, as the road frequently closes during winter if the road isn’t safe to drive on. Also, if you’re hiring a campervan, check that you’re allowed to drive over this road, as some campervan companies prohibit it.
3. Cardrona Hotel
The historic Cardrona Hotel is an iconic photo-op, and it’s also a nice spot for a coffee or meal if you didn’t already eat!
4. Wanaka
The lovely lakeside town of Wanaka is such a gem, and it’s best experienced by staying for at least a night or two.
If you only have time for a quick stop, you’ll probably want to go see the famous Wanaka Tree, which hovers over the beautiful blue water of Lake Wanaka.
Wanaka also has some great places for lunch—I love the Big Fig, or the Burrito Craft food truck in the Brownston Street food truck pod.
Have more time to spend in Wanaka? Then here are more things to do!
- Go hiking on one of the epic trails around Wanaka: Roy’s Peak, Rob Roy Glacier, or the Rocky Mountain/Diamond Lake Track are all excellent day hikes.
- For a shorter hike, head up Mount Iron for incredible views of the lake, town & mountains.
- Visit Puzzling World and/or the Wanaka Lavender Farm.
- See a movie at the Cinema Paradiso, a boutique movie theatre that’s just delightful.
- Go shopping—I love the Next Chapter bookshop, and Wonder Room is a great little gift shop.
- Sip on craft beer at one of Wanaka’s excellent breweries—B.Effect, Rhyme x Reason, & Ground Up are all great.
Where to stay in Wanaka
If you decide to stay in Wanaka for a night or two (which I wholeheartedly recommend!), here are some great places to stay.
West Meadows of Wanaka
The modern rooms at this upscale motel are a delight to stay in. This property is located a short drive from the town centre, the rooms have kitchenettes, and there’s plenty of parking onsite.
Lakeside Apartments
For a luxurious stay in Wanaka, it’s hard to beat the Lakeside Apartments. These spacious apartment units include a variety of options that are perfect for couples, families or groups. You’ll be just steps away from the lake, a few minutes’ walk from town, and the onsite pool is such a treat!
Camping in Wanaka
The Wanaka Top 10 Holiday Park is my top choice, or head to Albert Town Campground for budget-friendly (albeit basic) camping near Wanaka.
5. Pembroke Patisserie
The Pembroke Patisserie is a wonderful French bakery located in Albert Town, which you’ll pass by after you leave Wanaka and head towards Lake Hawea.
If you like croissants, I highly recommend swinging by this bakery to pick up one of their almond croissants or other delicious pastries.
6. Lake Hawea & the Neck
Lake Hawea is another gorgeous Otago lake, and you’ll get great views of it as you drive along Highway 6 on the way to Haast Pass.
There are a few lookout points you can pull over at, if you’d like to snap some photos.
And if you’re after a place to camp along this road trip, I love the Kidds Bush DOC Campsite, which is located down an unpaved road in a tucked-away spot right on the shores of Lake Hawea (it’s one of my favourite camping spots in the South Island!).
After you drive past Lake Hawea, you’ll reach the Neck, a strip of land that divides Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. You’ll soon get gorgeous views of Lake Wanaka on your left, and there are some scenic viewpoints along the road here, too.
7. The Blue Pools
After skirting along Lake Wanaka under wide-open skies, you’ll soon start to enter the densely-forested Haast Pass, a mountain pass that connects the Otago region to the West Coast.
If you make just one stop along Haast Pass, make it the Blue Pools. This place is a must-see on the South Island!
After an easy, pleasant walk through beech forest and over a couple of swing bridges, you’ll reach the Blue Pools.
These glacier-fed pools of water are a sight to behold: the electric-blue color of the water is simply unreal. You have to see it to believe it.
The Blue Pools are best visited on a sunny day, as that’s when the water looks the most vibrant.
On any day, though, you’ll probably hear lots of birdsong in the forest, and spot trout in the clear water. It’s just a really pretty and peaceful place.
Give yourself some time to spend at the Blue Pools as you’ll want to take lots of photos. If it’s a hot day, you also may be tempted to swim—just be warned that the water is icy-cold (and sandflies will be awaiting when you emerge from the water with exposed skin, so have repellent at-the-ready!).
8. Wilson Creek Slot Canyon
Now, I don’t recommend this stop for everyone, because it requires some scrambling (and getting your feet and legs wet).
But the Wilson Creek Chasm is such a secret gem of a spot (although it’s getting less and less secret), and if you’re feeling adventurous, it’s a great stop.
The sign for Wilson Creek is about 2 km before Fantail Falls, and you’ll find a spot to pull over on the side of the road (here are the rough coordinates).
After parking your car, you’ll need to walk beyond the metal safety barrier (on the left hand side of the road, coming from Wanaka) and scramble down to the creek. Please take care, as the rocky path can be slippery.
Once you reach the river, you’ll need to walk through the river to enter the start of the slot canyon. You can walk for about 150m before you’ll reach the fairly obvious turnaround point (beyond that should only be left to experienced canyoneers).
This slot canyon itself is simply stunning, with crystal-clear blue water and light that filters down through the canyon walls.
I recommend wearing water shoes for this adventure, since you’ll need to walk through the river. And have a dry change of pants ready at the car, because the water is icy cold!
A safety warning is warranted here: please don’t visit this spot if it’s been raining or if there’s rain in the forecast, due to the risk of flash flooding. I’d also recommend doing this with another person and not solo, just to be safe.
Please also make sure you carry out any rubbish you have with you, and note that there are no facilities here at all.
9. Fantail Falls
This fan-shaped waterfall is named after an adorable New Zealand bird: the fantail (which, as you might’ve guessed, has a fanned tail).
Accessing Fantail Falls couldn’t be easier; it takes all of five minutes to walk from your car to the waterfall and back.
That being said, you could easily spend more time exploring around the area if you’re keen to stretch your legs for a bit.
10. Thunder Creek Falls
Thunder Creek Falls is a 28-metre waterfall that drops right out of a rock face.
It’s an epic waterfall that’s so accessible from the road—it takes about one minute to walk from your car to the viewing platform for the falls.
11. Roaring Billy Falls
Take a 10-minute walk through the rainforest to view Roaring Billy Falls from afar across the Haast River.
12. Depot Creek Falls
This tall, cascading waterfall is a hidden gem along Haast Pass.
You won’t find any signage for this waterfall, but there’s a gravel parking area just off the main road (coordinates here).
From the carpark, it’s just a quick walk through the forest to see this beautiful waterfall.
13. Ship Creek
Ship Creek is a great place to see a West Coast beach after the dense forest and alpine scenery of Haast Pass.
The beach here is strewn with driftwood and surrounded by lush forest, including Kahikatea trees, New Zealand’s tallest endemic tree. The northern end of the beach looks particularly jungly and gorgeous.
This spot is also home to two awesome little walks—one to a dune lake, and the other to a forest swamp. Ship Creek is an awesome place to stretch your legs if you’ve been in the car for too long!
At Ship Creek, you’ll also have an opportunity to potentially spot Hector’s dolphins, the world’s smallest dolphin (they are so cute).
There’s a nice picnic area at Ship Creek, but I must warn you: the sandflies are often bad here.
If you do stop to enjoy a picnic, make sure you’re covered up with repellent and clothes!
14. Knight’s Point Lookout
Make a short stop at this scenic lookout for sweeping views over the Tasman sea.
15. Monro Beach
As an off-the-beaten-path adventure along the drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef, Monro Beach is quite a special spot.
It’s one of the best places to spot a Fiordland Crested Penguin (tawaki), a rare breed of penguin.
This hike-in beach is accessed via a 30-minute walk through luxuriant rainforest. The forest teems with birdlife and you’ll be serenaded with birdsong as you walk along the easy track.
Once you get to Monro Beach, be prepared for jaw-dropping beauty: it’s stunning!
Also be prepared for sandflies, as they are out in full force at this beach.
If you’re keen to spot a penguin, you’ll want to visit between July to November, although they can sometimes also be spotted during the moulting season between mid-January to early March. Make sure to bring binoculars for penguin-viewing, as you’ll need to keep your distance from them (they are timid and don’t like being approached). The best time of day to spot them is around sunrise and late afternoon/early evening.
Try to time your visit to Monro Beach within 2 hours either side of low tide; check this tide chart before planning your visit.
Even if you aren’t in the area during penguin season, I still recommend the walk to Monro Beach. It’s just a nice walk and you usually won’t find it very busy.
16. Bruce Bay Viewpoint
Bruce Bay is a rugged, windswept beach right off the main Haast Highway.
While this isn’t a beach for swimming or lounging (the ocean is too wild; the sandflies are too prolific), it’s a beautiful spot for a leg stretch and photo op.
At the north end of the bay, a rimu forest meets the sand, providing a gorgeous backdrop for this wild beach.
I like to pull over here for a quick seaside stop for one last ocean view before heading inland.
17. Fox Glacier
The town of Fox Glacier is located about 30 minutes south of Franz Josef, and out of these two towns in Glacier Country, Fox Glacier is the quieter one.
Some visitors prefer staying in Fox Glacier since it’s not as packed with people and tourist shops, and it also makes a great base for easily visiting Lake Matheson.
Walks in Fox Glacier include the Minnehaha Glow Worm walk (best done at night to look for glow worms), and the Fox Glacier South Side Walkway, which leads to viewpoints where you can see Fox Glacier from afar.
You can also take a glacier helicopter tour to view Fox Glacier up close.
And for food in Fox Glacier, go to Betsey Jane.
18. Fox Glacier Viewpoint (Te Kopikopiko o te Waka)
For the best (free!) views of Fox Glacier and the Southern Alps, head to the Fox Glacier Viewpoint, a lookout area just a few minutes’ drive from the Lake Matheson carpark.
You’ll get the best views around sunrise and sunset, on a clear day. During the middle of the day, clouds will often obstruct your view of the glacier, but they seem to dissipate early and late in the day.
The views here, while awesome, are from afar, so If you’re planning to take photos, I recommend bringing a zoom lens.
19. Lake Matheson
When the conditions line up on a clear, calm day, the views from Lake Matheson are some of the most spectacular in the country.
This mirror-like lake reflects the surrounding mountains—the Southern Alps—in one of the most picturesque settings you can imagine.
Fringed in rainforest and dotted with ducks (and lots of birdsong!), Lake Matheson is like something out of a dream.
The thing is, you really do need to time your visit with the right conditions in order to see the reflective action on the water’s surface. You want a clear day with little to no wind.
For your best bet, try to be there right after sunrise or just before sunset, as this is when the water is usually the calmest.
There are two viewing decks along the lake. For the best photo-op, head to the Reflection Island viewing deck.
Bonus hike: The forest around Lake Matheson is super pleasant to walk in—you might not want your walk to end. If that’s the case, consider hiking up to Lake Gault, which takes about 3 hours round-trip. The track to Lake Gault starts from the Lake Matheson hike. You’ll likely find it much less crowded than Lake Matheson—it’s a hidden gem.
20. Franz Josef
And now we’ve reached your destination: Franz Josef!
As the tourist hub of Glacier Country, there’s a lot to do around Franz Josef, and you’ll find no shortage of places to eat and stay at.
Here are some things to do in Franz Josef:
- Walk along the Franz Josef Glacier Valley walk. You won’t be able to see much of the retreating glacier, but you can see the beautiful glacially-carved landscape and waterfalls pouring down from the surrounding mountains.
- Take a helicopter tour to see the Franz Josef Glacier up close (or do a heli-hike combo).
- Go hiking—Robert’s Point is a difficult but beautiful day hike option.
- Other lovely, short walks include Callery Gorge, the Tatare Tunnels Walk, and Peter’s Pool.
- Visit nearby Okarito, a birdwatcher’s paradise. Hire a kayak to take out on the Okarito Lagoon, or hike up to the Okarito Trig on a clear day.
- Soak in the Waiho Hot Tubs.
- Alice May is a great spot for dinner.
Where to stay in Franz Josef
Aspen Court Motel
This cosy motel is my top choice for accommodation in Franz Josef. Their rooms are clean, modern, and comfortable, and the town centre location couldn’t be better.
Rainforest Retreat
Choose from hostel rooms, cosy log cabins, and luxury treehouses at this special property, which is surrounded by lush forest but happens to be right in the heart of Franz Josef village.
Camping in Franz Josef
- Rainforest Retreat: this is a high-end campground within the Rainforest Retreat property that offers greenery-lined campsites and fantastic amenities, including a sauna and spa pool.
- Orange Sheep Campervan park: a great budget-friendly option for campervanners.
- Otto/MacDonald’s Campsite: If you’re after a DOC campsite, head to this beautiful spot just outside of town.
Tips for your Queenstown to Franz Josef drive
- Cell service and data are unreliable on parts of this drive. I recommend downloading an offline map on Google Maps, and then you can access directions even if you don’t have service. That being said, it’s also a very well-signed drive, and to be honest, it’s hard to get too lost.
- Bring snacks and plenty of drinking water for the section after Wanaka, as there aren’t many places to pick up supplies on the drive from Wanaka to Franz Josef. The New World Three Parks in Wanaka is a great supermarket to stock up at.
- Ensure you’ve filled up your car or campervan with plenty of petrol before starting on your road trip.
- While you can technically do this drive year-round, Haast Pass can close if there’s a big storm. Make sure to check the road conditions before embarking on your journey. Also, if you’re driving in the winter months (June to September), don’t drive early in the morning or after dark—this will help you avoid black ice on the roads.
- The West Coast is unfortunately home to TONS of sandflies. You’re going to need to deal with sandflies at most of the stops along this drive, after Wanaka. Make sure to have insect repellent handy, and cover up with full-length pants and long sleeves.
- You’ll want to be prepared for potentially rainy conditions—the West Coast gets lots of rain. Make sure you pack a raincoat (and layers in general, as the weather can change quickly!)
- You might not have time to stop at all of the places on this list, and that’s okay! Pick and choose from what appeals to you the most, and plan your drive from there.
More South Island itineraries for you
- After Franz Josef, you could head up the West Coast to Hokitika and Punakaiki, then make your way to Abel Tasman National Park. I detail this route in my Picton to Queenstown road trip (follow it in reverse!).
- The drive from Christchurch to Queenstown is another amazing South Island road trip.
- Or, for a different route to Franz Josef, drive from Christchurch to Franz Josef via Arthur’s Pass.
Thanks for reading my guide to the drive from Queenstown to Franz Josef!
I truly hope it’s helped you plan your trip.
As always, please leave me a comment if you have any questions or feedback about this road trip. I always love hearing from you!
Jac,
I am planning on a week long drive-around of the South Island and found your suggestions very helpful.
Thanks,
Hi J!
Thanks so much for letting me know – I’m so happy to hear you’ve found the info helpful.
Hope you have a great road trip!
Cheers,
Jac
Beautiful post. Very helpful. Thank you so much!
Thanks so much for reading, Pam – I’m so happy you found it helpful!
Cheers,
Jac