Wanaka Senior Sergeant Miriam Reddington said the crash occurred when a Toyota SUV travelling from Wanaka turned in to the Stack Conservation Area parking bay, right in front of a Chevrolet ute travelling in the opposite direction at around 9.20am.
The crash occurred around 7km from Wanaka.
Both vehicles were severely damaged, while they also ricocheted into a parked Britz campervan in the parking bay.
It is understood the ute caught fire after the impact, but it was out by the time emergency services arrived, Snr Sgt Reddington said.
Two Wanaka fire crews, three police vehicles and one St John ambulance attended the scene.
St John spokesman Gerard Campbell said two patients had been taken to Lakes District Hospital.
One had moderate injuries, while the other had minor injuries, he said.
The road remained open in both directions.
