After stopping for ice cream in Wanaka, we took the Crown Range Road down through Cardrona to State Route 6. The town of Cardrona was about halfway down the road with several historic buildings (http://www.historic.org.nz/TheRegister/RegisterSearch/RegisterResults.aspx?RID=2239) including the hotel and general store (the latter was formerly the post and telegraph office). The road wound through scenic alpine country before topping out at Crown Range Summit (http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/22891/crown-range-road-summit). Although it's only 1067 m (about 3500 ft) in elevation, it can have snow any time during the year. Amazingly, the road was paved just a short time ago (in 2000). The views up and down the Kawarau Gorge were spectacular; however, we were startled when we saw a jet airliner flying THROUGH the gorge as it approached the international airport near Queenstown. (Note to self: DON'T fly into Queenstown!!) We noted the location of several wineries in the Gibbston Valley, as well as an historic suspension bridge (similar to the one at Ophir) and the Roaring Meg stream.
