Back
Lake Dunstan: Cromwell to Wanaka, Lake Dunstan, Otago
Photo: TheKiwiAbroad · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives Otago, New Zealand Queenstown, Central Otago and Dunedin

Lake Dunstan: Cromwell to Wanaka

SH 6, SH 8B, SH 84 · Cromwell → Wanaka

Leisurely32 mi45 min1,200 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,200 ftOne way
Scan to drive it in CarvePoint a phone's camera here. It opens ready to drive.
Drive it in Carve, free

Opens this route in the app, or where to get it.

Drive this road
in the appOpen

The drive

This drive runs 52 km (32 mi) from Cromwell north to Wānaka beside Lake Dunstan. State Highway 6 follows the western shore of the lake, while State Highway 8 runs along the eastern shore, and SH8B connects the two near Cromwell. The route then continues through Luggate and joins the Wānaka-Luggate Highway, SH84, to reach Wānaka.

Dry schist hills rise above the lake, and the road runs along the water with wide views. Curves are mostly gentle, moderate rather than tight, and the drive takes about 45 minutes. It is a connecting road between the Kawarau Gorge and the Wānaka basin, and between Queenstown, Cromwell and Wānaka.

The drive ends in Wānaka on SH84.

Along the way

  1. Cromwell
  2. Wanaka
Elevation
1,200 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,200 ft
CromwellWanaka
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
CromwellWanaka
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • SH6 and SH8 run on opposite sides of the lake, so signs at the junctions matter: this drive uses SH6 on the western shore.
  • The bends are moderate rather than tight, and the route joins SH84 at Luggate on the way into Wānaka.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check NZTA Journey Planner: highway conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long does Cromwell to Wanaka take?

Cromwell to Wānaka via SH6 beside Lake Dunstan is 52 km (32 mi) and takes about 45 minutes.

Which side of Lake Dunstan does SH6 run?

SH6 runs along the western shore of Lake Dunstan, while SH8 runs along the eastern shore.

Is the Lake Dunstan road twisty?

Not very. It has mostly gentle curves, moderate bends and wide views over the lake.

Which highways does the Cromwell to Wanaka drive use?

It uses SH6 on the western shore of Lake Dunstan, then the Wānaka-Luggate Highway, SH84, into Wānaka.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
Record your drivesAPEXRecord a drive and turn it into a route to drive again or share.

Free on iPhone and Android. CarPlay and Android Auto come with Apex.

Download on theApp StoreEarly access onGoogle Play

More drives near here

All 10 drives in Otago, New Zealand ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

+ Plan a new route
Map of Lake Dunstan: Cromwell to Wanaka, from Cromwell to Wanaka