Queenstown & Wanaka - New Zealand - page 1132

Adventure Rentals (

03-443 6050; www.adventurerentals.co.nz ; 20 Ardmore St) Hires cars

and 4WDs.
Yello (

03-443 5555; www.yello.co.nz ) Taxis and shuttles.

AROUND WANAKA

TOP OF CHAPTER

Cardrona

The cute hamlet of Cardrona reached its zenith in the 1870s at the height of the gold
rush, when its population numbered over a thousand. Now it's a sleepy little place which
wakes up with a jolt for the ski season.
With views of foothills and countless snowy peaks, the Crown Range Road from
Cardrona to Queenstown is one of the South Island's most scenic drives. At 1076m, it's
the highest sealed road in NZ. It passes through tall, swaying tussock grass in the Pisa
Conservation Area OFFLINE MAP , which has several short walking trails. There are
some great places to stop and drink in the view, particularly at the Queenstown end of the
road before you start the switchback down towards Arrowtown. However, the road is
narrow and winding, and needs to be tackled with care in poor weather. In winter it's
sometimes closed after heavy snows, and you'll often need snow chains for your wheels.

Activities

Cardrona Alpine Resort SKIING
OFFLINE MAP
( 03-443 7341; www.cardrona.com ; off Cardrona Valley Rd; day pass adult/child $99/51;
9am-4pm Jul-Sep) Well-organised and professional, this 345-hectare ski field offers runs to
suit all abilities (25% beginners, 50% intermediate, 25% advanced) at elevations ranging
from 1670m to 1860m. In season it operates a booking office ( 03-443 7411; 18 Dun-
more St) in Wanaka where you can buy ski passes and book Yello shuttles (return adult/
child $35/28).

Snow Farm New Zealand SKIING
OFFLINE MAP