Welcome to winter in Queenstown! It's a magical time of the year here, but if you're planning to drive yourself around this stunning region, and are unfamiliar with alpine roads, you might be feeling a little nervous. We've pulled together some driving tips to ensure your winter adventure is as safe as it is delightful.

Rent the right vehicle

Hire a vehicle through a reputable agency and you can be confident it is well maintained and set up for winter conditions. Use our rental car booking tool to compare companies and choose the vehicle best suited to your needs and budget. Many of the companies have service desks in the ZQN terminal and others are based nearby, making it easy to fly into Queenstown and drive away.

Keep left

Familiarise yourself with the official New Zealand Road Code. The most important thing to remember is to keep to the left side of the road when driving in New Zealand. 

Most roads in New Zealand have lanes marked with a painted centre line or raised studs. When driving on a multi-laned road, keep your vehicle within your lane to avoid a head-on crash with an oncoming vehicle.

Be especially careful to enter the left lane when pulling back on to the road after a scenic stop.

Check the road conditions

Our friends at the Queenstown Lakes District Council write a daily Winter Road Report. Follow the council on Facebook or sign up for email. You'll receive real-time updates on road conditions and closures in your inbox early each morning.

The New Zealand Transport Authority offers a great free Journey Planner. Type in your location and destination, and it will show you potential routes, estimated travel times, and sites of roadworks or hazards.

Drive cautiously

Winter driving demands a gentler approach. Slow down and enjoy our beautiful scenery. If other vehicles are building up behind you, pull off the road and let them past.

New Zealand roads might be narrower or windier than you are used to, so allow plenty of time to reach your destination without stress.

Avoid sudden braking, accelerating, or turning. Smooth, gradual movements help maintain traction. This is especially important if you are driving on gravel, ice, or snow.

Have a sleep-in

Don't be in too much of a rush to get out of bed. The greatest risk of ice is early in the morning and late at night, so give the roads a chance to thaw and roading crews time to treat known danger spots.

However, ice can form at any time of the day and may be invisible. Take particular care when roads are damp, or on bridges and shaded areas.

Use chains when necessary

It is wise to carry chains in your vehicle in this region during winter. However, chains need to be the right size for your tyres and should only be fitted if there is snow on the road and their use is advised by police, ski field operators, or roading crews.

Stay an extra day

If it's really snowy or icy, consider changing your plans and staying where you are for an extra day. Make a snowman or snuggle up beside a fire, rather than taking unnecessary risks on the road. If you need to book accommodation, here's a handy list of hotels near Queenstown Airport.

We want you to have a wonderful experience. Buckle up and safe driving!