[sizzlingbadger]

Ok I know I'm probably mad :D

But I really want to do the Crown Range Road from Wanaka to Queenstown when we're down that way next year. So what I want to know is it easily doable in a 2wd people mover ? ? (please say yes, please say yes :o )

If so how long does the drive take with lots of stops along the way ?

[ourquest]

Yes Yes :nice1 and again Yes!
It is a good tar road requiring no diagnosis of insanity whatsoever.
We encountered the first snowfall of 2007 at the top of the pass...our boys built their customary snowman in falling snow, having enjoyed sunlight as we left Wanaka less than an hour earlier.
Include it in your itinerary.

[sizzlingbadger]

Excellent news, thank you :nice1

Now just got to find car hire from Dunedin finishing in Queenstown that doesn't cost the earth :uhoh

[DMcG]

The crown range road is windy and steep in places, but it's well sealed.
Be careful with the hire car agreement, some will explicitly exclude certain roads (I've heard the Crown Range Road is one of them) and you'll invalidate the insurance if you drive on them.

If you want a REAL new Zealand road, try Waikaremoana :D

Dougie

[sizzlingbadger]

Waikaremoana is next on the list :D But with our own van rather than a hire car :nice1 Like the look of the Lake there.

The car insurance will be fine with that road, think it's Skippers Canyon that will invalidate your insurance :uhoh

[ourquest]

The car insurance will be fine with that road, think it's Skippers Canyon that will invalidate your insurance :uhoh

Correct. And there is a vast difference between the two roads. The main difference is the fact that Crown Range is sealed. It really isn't anymore twisty than many New Zealand roads, so I am still not sure where any doubts about driving on it have come from. It is the highest (altitude) sealed road in NZ, so prone to snow, but otherwise in world terms it isn't high altitude at all, and most definitely not in poor condition.

[DMcG]

Waikaremoana is next on the list
Well here's a taster:

These are from my first trip to the Lake in October 2004. The road had been washed out by storms and was shut for quite a while - they'd just re-opened it.
http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/101474/108706/PA2400889182_S.jpg

http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/101474/108706/PA2400763606_S.jpg

Like the look of the Lake there.

And this is from Easter 2006 on a kayaking trip - it's quite a lake!

http://www.PhotoShare.co.nz/PhotoShareGallery1/101474/108706/DSC_7956_edited-13071_S.jpg

Dougie

[sizzlingbadger]

Wonderful pictures Dougie, thanks very much for posting them.

Like the look of the road :D We've been on quiet a few roads like that but probably not for the length of that one. Just love the location of that lake, in the middle of no where, bliss :nice1

[Potato]

Hi, as others have said it's a good road and the scenery is amazing. It's hard to believe that you are maybe only 90mins from rainforest (the Haast Pass)!

You're doing it from Wanaka to Queenstown. If memory serves, this is probably the *easiest* way!
I can't quite recall the road in its entirety, but I think the only notable stretch of windiness is at the Q'town end. Basically, when you pull off the highway, you immediately end up amongst steep, winding switchbacks which climb quite quickly, and from there it is more gradual and smooth.
So by doing it the other way around, you will have to go down the switchbacks, instead of up them! Which is probably preferable!

There's plenty of places to pull over for photos or if you think you're holding someone up. Great, sprawling views.

You can also look at the road on Google Earth, and probably Google Maps. Search for Cardrona, and you will see the road right there. If you then follow it back towards Q'town, you will eventually see the switchbacks. And Google Earth shows you the elevation, so you can see that they get you up fairly high (or down, in your case) in a fairly short distance.

Some of the gravel roads in NZ are a bit scary for sure. A memorable one for me is the road taking you to the Moria Gate and other arches near Karamea. Not pleasant after heavy rain!