An Australian tourist is seriously injured following a crash near Queenstown.

Police said the man went down a steep bank at Gibbston.

They believe he spent a number of hours in the car, before climbing up to the roadside around six this morning.

He hasn't yet been able to tell police what occurred in the crash.

Sergeant Keith Newell said, the 32-year-old is severely injured.

"The man in question he's been taken first to Queenstown Hospital and I understand because of his injuries he was flown to Dunedin."