Constable Hugh O'Reilly, of Queenstown, said the couple, believed to be from Singapore, were driving on the Glenorchy-Paradise road when the car crashed, about 4km out of Glenorchy about 2pm.
''It appears that they have come round a moderate right-hand bend and ended up crossing the centre line,'' Const O'Reilly said.
The car then left the sealed road, crashed through a fence and hit a tree.
The 29-year-old woman, who was the driver, was pulled from the car by emergency services, while the 28-year-old man got himself out.
St John Central Otago territory manager Kelvin Perriman said the woman was flown to Southland Hospital in Invercargill with possible spinal injuries and the man to Lakes District Hospital. Both were in a moderate condition.
The Glenorchy St John first response 4WD vehicle attended, as did St John crews from Queenstown, two rescue helicopters, police and fire crews.
