The Crown Range Road is the highest sealed main road in New Zealand, crossing the mountains between Queenstown and Wānaka at about 1,120 metres. It climbs out of the Wakatipu basin from Arrowtown in a series of switchbacks, with views of the Remarkables, the Shotover valley and the blue of Lake Wakatipu far below. At the summit a lookout lets you see the Cardrona valley opening to the north, with tussock grass in gold and green, and on a clear day the mountains stand in layers.
This country has a gold-rush history. In the 1860s, prospectors flooded into the area after gold was found in the Arrow River, and towns appeared overnight. Arrowtown, at the foot of the climb, still has its miners' cottages and a Chinese settlement, where workers who arrived later lived in small stone huts. On the other side, the Cardrona Hotel, dating from the same era, still serves drinks and food in its old timber rooms, a landmark beside the road. The area is also a ski region, with the Cardrona ski field nearby.
The road itself is a joy. The Queenstown side has a run of tight bends and steep gradients, with a good surface and barriers at the edge of the drops. Once over the crest, the road runs more freely across open tussock country, with long visibility and fast sweeps. In winter, snow and ice can close the road or require chains, and fog and wind are common on the top, so check conditions before you set out. In summer, the road is busy with campervans and tourists, so be ready to ride behind slower traffic.
Fuel is available in Queenstown and Wānaka, but not on the pass, and prices are higher in small settlements. Arrowtown has a few cafés and shops for a coffee before the climb. The nearest big town in the data is Queenstown, about twenty kilometres away, with every service you might need. Remember that New Zealand drives on the left, and that distances between fuel stops can be longer than they look on the map.
The light on the Crown Range is distinctive, with high clear air and long shadows. Late afternoon in summer or autumn, when the tussock glows, is the moment to be at the summit.