"The Crown Range Road" Cardrona Travelogue by kiwi

Cardrona Travel Guide: 13 reviews and 55 photos

Sometimes Gorgeous, Sometimes Treacherous!

The "extreme" end of the Crown Range road provides something of a challenge to negotiate, especially in the winter months. During this time, however, the road is often closed because of dangerous conditions.
This windy section is located at the south end of the road, closest to Queenstown/Arrowtown.
The road's reputation preceded my visit, however I have to say it wasn't as bad as I believed it to be. I doubt I'd even try to attempt this road in the slightest cool temperatures for fear of meeting with ice on the road. So I was happy, still in warm conditions , to be able to at last drive the road.
In previous years this was one of two stated roads where rental car companies refused to insure their cars. But not so long ago, this windy section was finally sealed and is now much better.

History: - It was back in 1860 when the first European pioneers crossed the pass in their efforts to find more pasture for their sheep.
1863 brought the gold diggers and by 1877 the tourism route was beginning to take off, using horse-drawn coaches.

The South end of the Road.

Overlooking Arrowtown

Travelling South to North, Queenstown to Wanaka, after you have negotiated the windy part, you then can stop at the lookout and view the lovely vista.
Here in the photo you can see Arrowtown just sitting nicely under the mountains.

Some Local residents.

Merino mountain sheep

I stopped the car, and walked a small track, and found these local resident Merino Sheep. They were very precariously perched high on a ridge seemingly happy with life until I came along. I didn't move closer than this, just enough for a photo then I left them to continue their sparse grazing. Soon this area would be covered in snow and the sheep will be moved to lower ground until next summer.

Self portrait

kiwi on the Crown Range

The wind up on the top was bitterly cold and taking off my glove to take the photo was almost painful. But it was worth it, to capture me up there!
I was feeling happy about finally being here, but also somewhat proud that i'd driven the road myself. Certainly one of those memorable adventures for me.

Terrain and fauna.

Amazing terrain.

I really do love the colours of the terrain and the texture of the fauna up here in the high hills.
The golden tussock and occassional matagouri, the thorny almost roselike mountains shrub, make for gorgeous photos and lovely views.

The summit

Up at the top

At the summit of the road, the feeling was very eerie!
The wind was strong and bitterly cold, but the clouds were menacing and bound to be full of snow. This road was covered in it's first snow of the season, the very next day!! I was lucky the weather allowed me through this day.
That is my trusty McDonalds Rental Car in the summit carpark. It was a great little car that allowed me to easily make u-turns to go back and take that photo i'd just seen, and was still strong enough to easily make the climb to the summit. However I would not recommend such a small car if there were more than one of you.

Highest sealed road.

Summit

At 1076metres this is the highest sealed road in New Zealand. Year 2000 saw the road sealed right through to finally connect the missing link between Wanaka and Queenstown with a better road.
Weather conditions are extreme here so it is not always open due to ice and snow.

Road obstacles

Cattle stop

Here in New Zealand we occassionally have these things called "Cattle Stops". It is a pit in the ground with grating over the top so vehicles can pass over. But theoretically they can stop animals from crossing. This means the farmer can contain the animals, without there being a gate across the highway.
View more photos from the Crown Range here.

Page Updated Sep 1, 2004
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Written Sep 4, 2004

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Local Customs (1)
Hang your Bra on the Fence!

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Comments (6)

craic Aug 12, 2009 at 9:41 PM Report Abuse

snorkle!
Darby2 Jul 8, 2006 at 1:28 PM Report Abuse

I don't think we have any bra fences in Alberta or BC...but I'll keep looking! ;o)))
BerniShand Feb 16, 2006 at 12:53 PM Report Abuse

let us know how it develops Pam, we like to keep abreast of local news events
FletteMette Feb 16, 2006 at 12:50 PM Report Abuse

That's kinda cool... :o)
Beach_dog Feb 16, 2006 at 12:40 PM Report Abuse

Is one of them yours, Pam?
littlesam1 Feb 16, 2006 at 12:38 PM Report Abuse

We were talking about the bra fence in the forums and someone said you had a picture. Thats really wild!