How to get to Cardrona from Queenstown & Wanaka – all your winter transport options here...
Getting to Cardrona is easy, no matter where you’re staying! Located in the heart of the Southern Alps, we’re a short drive from Wanaka, Queenstown & Arrowtown. Let us drive you – with regular daily buses from Queenstown, Wanaka, & Arrowtown, we can get you right to the front door & onto the snow faster!
Please note: There will be no Pine Trees, Queenstown or Wanaka bus services running during the final week of the season (December 12 - 18, 2020).
Cardrona is just a short hop over the Crown Range from Queenstown Airport, so it’s super easy to pick up your rental carand drive straight here!
Cardrona is located in a high alpine environment, with weather that can change quickly. We are located at the top of a 14km long, unsealed access road, so please take care and keep to the left to maintain 2-way traffic the whole way.
Both the Crown Range road and the Cardrona mountain road can be affected by snowfall, so it’s best to always carry chains and know how to use them.
If you don't want to drive the whole way up the mountain road, we offer free mountain shuttles from the Pine Trees carpark, located at the 1km mark on the access road.
Cardrona
Cardrona is an easy drive from NZ’s most famous resort towns – Queenstown & Wanaka. These 2 lakeside destinations are surrounded by breath-taking alpine scenery & offer a dizzying array of activities, sights & sounds. If you’re looking for the ultimate holiday destination, this is it!
The Cardrona mountain road is 14km long & unsealed. Please take care on the drive up as conditions can change in different spots on the mountain. Keep to the left & maintain 2-way traffic the whole way. Turn your headlights on so traffic coming the other way can see you!
If you're not comfortable driving yourself all the way to the top, we offer a shuttle service from the Pine Trees (the big carpark 1km from the bottom of the road that has no Pine Trees in it).
When does the Pine Trees Shuttle run?
Our FREE Pine Trees shuttle runs from the big carpark 1km from the bottom of the access road. Jump on the bus at the carpark, and when you get to the top of the mountain you'll be directed to the ticket office to pay for your ticket. Shuttle times are approximate and are subject to change.
Shuttle UP
Shuttle DOWN
8am
8.30am
8.30am
9am
9.30am
10am
12.30pm
1pm
2.30pm
3pm
3.30pm
4.15pm
Where & how do I fit chains?
As a start point, it always pays to check before you pack your car if chains are required on our Snow Report. It's updated from around 6am daily, and it'll let you know whether you're fine to put all your gear in the boot on top of your chains, or whether you'll need to have them handy. It'll also let you know if chains are required on all vehicles, or just on 2WDs.
Our friendly road crew will be positioned at the spot on the access road where you'll need to fit chains. Pull over to the side of the road where they are – even if you think the road looks sweet to drive, always put chains on where directed because they know where the safest spot to do it is, and also what the road conditions are like further ahead.
If you've never fitted chains before, check out this super helpful video we made to show you a few different types:
We don't hire chains, so please double check with your rental car company that you have them in the boot, and have a practice in town in the dry the night before you come up so you are confident with putting them on and taking them off. If you don't want to fit chains, you can always jump on the Pine Trees shuttle!
Do you have a drop off zone?
We sure do! If you're coming all the way to the top of the mountain road, you’re most welcome to use our drop-off zone to drop the rest of the family & all your gear right at the front door – just let our awesome Carpark Crew know you’re heading up to use that zone. If you’re parked at one of our lower carparks, we offer a free shuttle service to get you back up to the Base Area.
Where do I park?
If you’re driving yourself & you’ve already picked up your rental gear (or you have your own), head to our offices in either Queenstown or Wanaka to suss your lift passes so you can park at the bottom of Valley View Quad. It saves 10mins driving time & theLittle Meg Caféis right there for your early morning caffeine hit! Please note thatValley View Quadis best for intermediate & above skiers & snowboarders – if you’re just learning, or need to pick up passes & rental gear, head right up to Base.
Once you get to the top of the mountain road, our legendary Carpark team will show you where to park. Please follow their instructions – we offer a free shuttle up to the Base Area so don't worry if you're parked in one of our lower carparks!
Buses From Queenstown
We offer a Cardrona bus service from Queenstown, with heaps of pickup points throughout town to get you up the mountain. You can pick up passes & rental gear from Cardrona Queenstown (37 Camp St) and head straight to the lifts when you arrive on the mountain!
Queenstown Bus Service*
Adult
Child
Return Transport
$35
$30
*Queenstown bus service runs until October 10 and will not be running in the last week of the 2021 winter season. **Can be added on to any lift pass or package at the time of purchase
Please book at least 24-48 hours in advance to ensure availability.
Queenstown Bus Timetable
Pickup
Early
Late*
Kamana Lake House
7:20
8:20
Mercure Resort
7:18
8:18
Heritage Hotel
7:21
8:21
YHA Lakefront
7:24
8:24
Rydges
7:25
8:25
St Moritz
7:28
8:28
Butterfli Lodge
7:29
8:29
Crowne Plaza
7:30
8:30
Base Backpackers
7:37
8:37
Pinewood Lodge
7:40
8:40
Creeksyde Holiday Park
7:45
8:45
Cardrona Shop (37 Camp Street)
7:47
8:47
Novotel
7:49
8:49
Nomads Backpackers
7:50
8:50
Blue Peaks (Upper Stanley St)
7:56
8:56
Millennium Hotel
7:57
8:57
Copthorne Lakeview
8:00
9:00
Colonial Village/ Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu
8:01
9:01
Oaks Shores / The Rees
8:03
9:03
Holiday Inn / Sherwood
8:04
9:04
Mantra Marina / Z Station
8:05
9:05
Frankton Bus Shelter
8:07
9:07
Crown Range turn off
8:15
9:15
Pinetrees
9:00
10:00
*Please note that with reduced capacity due to Covid-19, the Late bus service from Queenstown will not be running in Winter 2020
Cardrona’s Wanaka Bus Service
The Wanaka bus service has a four pickup points around town – pick up all your gear & passes from Cardrona Corner (20 Helwick St) the day before so you can get off the bus & go straight to the lifts! Please check the timetable below the map for departure information.
Wanaka Bus Service
Adult
Child
Return Transport
$35
$30
Bus service runs until October 10th
Please book at least 24-48 hours in advance to ensure availability.
Wanaka Bus Timetable
MAC
7.45am
Distinction
7.50am
Cardrona Corner
8am
Edgewater
8.12am
Ramada
8.14am
Oakridge
8.15am
WANAKA private transfers
Let Yello! help you with your private transfers from Wanaka and Queenstown for the day to Cardrona and Treble Cone. With Apartment and airport transfers also available, make your stay stress-free and book your Yello! transfers here. BOOK NOW
Hassle-free private transfers from your Wanaka accommodation to Cardrona. Let Wanaka Ski Concierge take care of the little things so you don't have to. BOOK NOW
Black Van Luxury Transfers(by Wanaka Trike Tours) - offer private door to mountain transport from Wanaka & Queenstown CBD or Airport to Cardrona mountain or bottom of the mountain car park. No hassle schedule to suit you, subject to availability. BOOK NOW.
