There’s something magical about the Alexandra to Mt Cook road trip. It’s a stretch of South Island road that seems made for slow travel. The lakes are a stunning turquoise blue, and every curve reveals another postcard-worthy view!
It’s a route that captures everything we love about Kombi life – the freedom, and the joy of just being on the road.
But before you reach this alpine wonderland, your adventure begins in Alexandra, Central Otago – home to NZ Kombi Hire and the perfect launch point for exploring the South Island. From here, you’ll wind your way north through the golden hills of the Lindis Pass to the glacial peaks and starry skies in the Mackenzie Country – this is pure South Island magic!
“It’s not about getting there fast. It’s about pulling over whenever the view makes you gasp out loud!”
The Route – Your Alexandra to Mt Cook Road Trip
From Alexandra, follow State Highway 8, however we highly recommend taking the short detour left into Clyde. If you carry on the main highway, you’ll miss this charming historic town entirely, and it’s well worth the stop.
Take a walk down Clyde’s main street with its stone buildings and cafés, and if you enjoy a bit of local history, take in the Clyde Dam lookout as you leave town – the view over the Clutha River is impressive.
You’ll reconnect with the state highway just as you leave Clyde.
(Tip – if it’s a particularly windy day, this sheltered detour is a great option before carrying on north.)
Main street of historic Clyde showing the iconic Olivers Cafe and Restaurant.
Carrying on, you’ll be driving along beside Lake Dunstan, a long, scenic stretch of lake framed by the Central Otago hills, which may (if you’re lucky) have a dusting of snow for just one of many postcard type views you’ll see on this trip.
On windy days, watch out for those side gusts of wind – they can catch the Kombi and give you a good shove across your lane! You’ll need those arm muscles handy to wrangle the steering wheel into place!
If it’s all a bit too much for you, there are plenty of small rest areas to pull into – perfect for taking in the beauty of Lake Dunstan.
And if you’re ready to stop for the night, there are a couple of great free camping spots right on the lake’s edge:
Champagne Gully – the first one you’ll come to when travelling from Alexandra beside Lake Dunstan in the stretch of highway before you get to Cromwell. You can stay one night here, with basic facilities and peaceful lake views. Even if it’s too early to stay the night, it’s the perfect place to pull over for a cuppa and soak up those lake views – especially on a sunny day.
Carrying on, you’ll then come to the turn-off towards Cromwell. If you fancy a fun photo stop, detour here to grab a pic with the famous Big Fruit by crossing the bridge to your left and heading into Cromwell. You’ll be able to spot the Big Fruit easily and after your photo stop, simply retrace your steps back to the highway where you turned off.
Insider Tip: it can be tricky to turn right here as it’s a busy road, so I often will go left towards the roundabout to Queenstown/Wanaka and go right around it (taking 3rd exit) to head back again towards State Highway 8.
As you’re travelling further along around the lake after the Cromwell turn-off, you’ll come across another free campsite. This one is called Bendigo and it allows you to stay up to three nights. We’ve stayed here ourselves in Rhonda, and it’s a beautiful spot – the lake right there beside you, and the sunsets!!
Here we are (Lynda and Warren) standing in front of Rhonda, at the Bendigo free campsite beside Lake Dunstan in Central Otago, New Zealand.
Carry on from here towards Tarras, a tiny rural gem with great coffee, merino wool clothing, and a few cute wee shops. It’s ideal for a short stop before you climb into the Lindis Valley.
Next you’ll be driving through the Lindis Pass, one of New Zealand’s most scenic alpine drives. The landscape shifts from Central Otago’s rocky ridges to golden tussock valleys. This is a photographer’s dream, especially in the soft light of early morning or late afternoon – you might not be travelling at either of these times so just take in the scenery anyway without stressing over the perfect shot!
The scenic golden hills of the Lindis Pass
There’s a lookout point near the top of the Lindis Pass, but if you’re travelling north from Alexandra, it’s on the opposite side of the road and can be tricky to pull into safely.
We recommend saving that stop for the return journey instead, when it’s much easier to access. If you’ve got time, take the short hike up the hill from the lookout carpark for sweeping views across the valley. Here’s where you’ll get your stunnning Insta pic!
Side Trip: The Clay Cliffs – Omarama
Once you’ve made your way down through the Lindis, it’s worth taking a short detour before you reach Omarama to explore one of the area’s most spectacular natural wonders – The Clay Cliffs.
Just out of Omarama in the Mackenzie Country, you’ll find the incredible Clay Cliffs – a maze of towering pinnacles and narrow gullies that look like something from another world!! They really do.
To get there, turn off State Highway 8 and follow the corrugated gravel road slowly (trust us – slowly!) until you reach the farm gate. It’s private land, so there’s a small $5 donation per vehicle, paid into an honesty box at the gate. Please do pop some coins in – it helps maintain the road, and sadly we saw more than a few cars drive straight through without stopping.
From the carpark, it’s about a 15-minute walk up to the cliffs. The track can be loose and a little slippery in places, so wear good walking shoes – jandals definitely won’t cut the mustard here!
Standing among the cliffs themselves is quite surreal. The scale of them is so immense and the way the light hits the stone is out of this world. The views on the walk back down are worth lingering over – we spent quite a while at this spot.
Find directions and visitor info to the Clay Cliffs here.
After visiting the cliffs, continue into Omarama, a small, lively town known for gliding, cafés, and its famous outdoor hot tubs under the stars. It’s a popular stop to stretch your legs, grab a coffee, and make use of the restrooms – especially if you’ve still got a few hours’ drive ahead of you!
Next you’ll continue on towards Twizel. If you need supplies, this is the town we head towards before we head to our chosen camping spot. Follow the signpost to turn off the main highway into Twizel.
After you’ve stocked up and are back on the highway, you’ll soon glimpse the turquoise shimmer of Lake Pukaki. We never get tired of this view. Stop a while here at the lookout point to see Mt Cook in the distance – an epic photo and well worth they hype. It’s always very busy here – be super careful entering and exiting the car park, as you’re pulling onto a 100km highway here.
Follow the lakeside road to Tekapo or carry on toward Aoraki / Mt Cook Village, where glacier-fed rivers and snow-capped peaks complete the picture, and that drive towards Mt Cook – there are no words!!
Suggested trip highlights
Clyde – a historic detour worth taking for coffee and cobblestone charm.
Cromwell Big Fruit – a classic Kiwi photo stop if you’re up for a quick detour.
Tarras – a classic Central Otago pit stop with great local produce and a cosy café.
Lindis Pass – sweeping golden hills and epic views at every turn.
Lake Pukaki – stop at the viewpoint for that iconic turquoise water shot.
Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve – one of the clearest night skies in the world.
Hooker Valley Track – an easy, breathtaking walk with swing bridges and glacier views.
Lake Tekapo – famous for its colour and lupins in early summer.
Why Kombi Pace Is Perfect Here
This is a route that definitely rewards unhurried travel. The drive from Alexandra to Mt Cook could absolutely be done in a single day but why would you? It’s far better stretched over two or three, trust us!
Pull over for roadside photo ops, picnic lunches by a river, or a slow wander through small-town main streets. A Kombi isn’t built for speed, and that’s its magic. It gives you permission to breathe, explore, and connect with the landscape.
“The best moments are the unplanned ones – like watching the sky turn pink over Lake Pukaki with a cup of tea in hand.”
Where to Stay on your Alexandra to Mt Cook Road Trip
For Kombi travellers, simplicity wins. The DOC (Department of Conservation) campsites around Lake Pukaki and White Horse Hill (Mt Cook Village) are unbeatable. The facilities are basic, but the views are truly million-star!
If you’d like a powered site, both Twizel and Tekapo have welcoming holiday parks with hot showers and easy access to shops and cafés.
Here’s a handy PDF download to all of the South Island’s DOC campsites (we have a laminated copy of this inside each van) (DOC Campsite Guide – South Island)
A Few Insider Tips
- The lakes glow their bluest on sunny days – glacial rock flour reflects the light.
- Stay up late and stargaze – the Milky Way here is unforgettable.
- Stop at the Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Café beside the highway – the view alone is worth it, and you can even pick up a chilled pack of fresh salmon to take with you.
- Treat yourself to a simple picnic at your campsite. You can’t go wrong with crackers and salmon plus a glass of something bubbly as you watch the sunset – pure magic.
- Even in summer, pack warm layers – alpine nights can get chilly.
Tekapo Dark Sky Reserve
This deserves its own mention because it is one of the best places in the world for stargazing. This is because there is hardly any light pollution. The reserve protects the night sky so you can see stunning, vibrant views of the stars here.
Find all about the Dark Sky Reserve in Tekapo here
The Spirit of Kombi Travel
If there’s one road trip that captures the spirit of Kombi travel, it’s the journey from Alexandra to Aoraki / Mt Cook.
Wide skies with scenery that feels straight out of a dream – it’s best enjoyed at the kombi sweet spot of 80 km and the windows down.
Pick up your kombi in Alexandra
We’ve travelled this route ourselves, and we’d love for you to experience it too. Pick up your Kombi in Alexandra and discover the Mackenzie Country magic for yourself.
Adventure awaits — at Kombi pace.
View comments
+ Leave a comment