Glenorchy is a rural little town located at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, about a 45 minute drive from Queenstown. It’s seriously cute and worth a visit.
With a population of just over 300 people, it offers a peaceful escape from the buzz of downtown Queenstown with snow capped mountains framing rolling green hills. It’s a little slice of paradise on earth.
If you’re wondering what there is to do in this tiny town, I’ve got you covered with the top things to do in Glenorchy featured right here.
You may be surprised at how many incredible things there are to do in Glenorchy. And because of its remote location you’ll get to do them without the crowds!
I’ve lived in New Zealand for many years and visit Glenorchy often. I’m excited to share everything I’ve discovered to do there. This way, you too, can experience all the wonderful things this beautiful town has to offer.
As a bonus, the journey from Queenstown to Glenorchy is one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand with plenty of great stops along the way.
This roughly 45km (28 mile) stretch of road snakes along Lake Wakatipu, and as you crest over hills and around the bends you’ll be awed by the draw dropping scenery.
There are a few short hikes along the way such as Bob’s Cove, and look out points with stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
If you don’t want to drive, there are plenty of guided tours you can take from Queenstown to Glenorchy, ranging from half-day to a full day. They cover most of the highlights and some visit Lord of the Rings filming locations.
Plus, Glenorchy is a great town to visit any time of the year. Summer and winter are popular times to visit which means it will be busier. Summer more so than winter, although nearby Queenstown draws a crowd for ski season. Whereas spring and fall are shoulder seasons and tend to be less busy.
The good thing is that most tours and activities are open all year round. Although some may depend on weather conditions more than others.
Regardless of when you visit, you’ll quickly see why Glenorchy is one of the most charming small towns in New Zealand.
The Best Things to Do in Glenorchy
1. Visit the Glenorchy Waterfront Reserve
You’ll find the Glenorchy Wharf and the iconic little red shed along the beautiful lakefront. It’s a popular place to visit in Glenorchy and I recommend getting there early for less crowds. On a clear day you can see the Humboldt Mountains in the background.
The Glenorchy red shed was originally built in the 1860s to store goods that were carried on the steamships between Queenstown and Glenorchy. It was rebuilt in 1999 after floods damaged the original structure. Today it’s a well known landmark and popular photo stop.
Take a walk along the jetty to enjoy sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu on one side and the head of the Dart River valley on the other. The views are truly breathtaking and provide a sense of peace and tranquility.
2. Walk Around the Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway
The Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway is an easy 3.2 km (2 mile) loop walk that will take you around the lagoon.
From the Glenorchy Boat Shed, turn right and keep on walking until you see DOC signs for the trailhead near Lake Wakatipu on Mull Street. You’ll make your way through wetlands and over boardwalks on a well maintained track, with views of the lake and mountain ranges in the background.
There are several vantage points to stop and take it all in. The snow-capped mountains make for spectacular photos, especially on a calm day when the mountains are reflected in the lake.
Keep an eye out for New Zealand birds as you stroll on the boardwalk over the wetlands. Black swans, South Island pied oystercatcher, scaup, Australasian bittern, New Zealand shoveller, and the grey duck are some of the wading birds known to inhabit the area.
3. Pick Up Souvenirs in Mrs Woolly’s General Store
Being a small town there aren’t too many shops or restaurants in Glenorchy. Mrs Woolly’s General Store is a quaint shop featuring a selection of handmade New Zealand items. You can find unique gifts to take back for friends and family or as a memento of your time in Glenorchy.
They also have good coffee and the best meat pies! They’re located on Oban Street, a couple of blocks back from the waterfront, and open daily from 8:30am until 5pm.
Another option for good coffee is The Trading Post. It’s located near the jetty on the corner of Mull Street. I like to stop here for a coffee before heading off on the Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway.
4. See Lord of The Rings Filming Locations
A visit to the beautiful landscapes of Mount Aspiring and LOTR filming locations is a must-do for LOTR fans. Even non-fans will appreciate the incredible scenery.
If you prefer, you can take a tour which I highly recommend. This Lord of The Rings Scenic Half Day Tour will provide transport from Queenstown and get you access to some of the most stunning and exclusive locations. You can even dress up in costumes and play with replica swords.
Some of the main scenes filmed around Glenorchy include Isengard and Forest of Fangorn (Glenorchy and Paradise), Lothlorien (Paradise), Misty Mountains (Mountains around Glenorchy), Ithilien Camp (Twelve Mile Delta) and Amon Hen (Closeburn). There are many other smaller scenes that were also filmed in the area.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Water Horse and Vertical Limits are a few other productions filmed in the rugged and picturesque landscapes around Glenorchy.
The best thing about Glenorchy is that despite its claim to fame in Hollywood it remains one of the most down to earth and charming places to visit in New Zealand.
5. Routeburn Track
Being one of the most remote towns in New Zealand, with one road in and one road out, there is only so far you can get on four wheels making Glenorchy a hikers paradise. From easy nature walks and multi-day Great Walks to advanced hiking trails there is a trail to suit most.
The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand’s 10 Great Walks and will need some preparation. It’s a 32-kilometer (20-mile) point-to-point track that, on the Glenorchy side, starts at Routeburn Shelter in Mount Aspiring National Park and finishes at The Divide in Fiordland National Park.
It’s generally hiked over 2-3 days and you’ll need to arrange transport at the finish point. The best time to walk the track is from November until April. You’ll need to book your spot in the huts well in advance.
It’s an incredible journey, and the scenery and friends you’ll make along the way is an unforgettable experience.
6. Routeburn Nature Walk
The Routeburn Nature Walk is a great alternative to the full Routeburn Track that you can do as a day walk. Starting at Routeburn Shelter, just outside Glenorchy, there are a few different tracks you can choose to make it anything between a 2-hour walk to a full day walk.
We walked to the Routeburn Falls Hut and back as a day walk and were blown away by the scenery. It took us around 6 hours all up on a dry sunny day, including stops for photos and lunch.
Whichever walk you choose you’ll be treated to stunning views of the rivers and valleys the area is known for.
7. Earnslaw Burn Hike
The Earnslaw Burn Track is for experienced hikers with river crossing and navigation experience. It’s an out and back trail, and a little off the beaten path. Just be aware, the sign says 8.3km but that doesn’t include the private land that the last half of the track runs through. In total, it’s about a 28km (17-mile) round trip. Although pretty grueling, it is possible to complete this hike in a day which should take you around 10-12 hours in total.
I personally think it’s best if you can stay overnight under the stars in the back country. The open valley is private land but there is a 10m public easement either side of the river where you can camp. Just be sure to bring everything you need for a night in a completely remote wilderness location, check the weather and plan accordingly.
Most importantly, camp responsibly and take everything with you when you leave, including any waste, to help keep this incredible location as beautiful as you found it.
The trail starts on Lovers Leap Road just off Glenorchy-Paradise Road. You’ll hike along Earnslaw Burn through bush and tussock, with LOTS of scrambling over trees and around landslides, to the viewpoint. Here you’ll be rewarded with impressive views of Mt Earnslaw and the Earnslaw Glacier.
Although not for the faint hearted, it’s one of the best hikes in Glenorchy.
9. Diamond Creek Track
The Diamond Creek track is a short but beautiful trail that takes you to Lake Reid. You’ll find the start of the trail on Routeburn Road, just after the bridge that crosses the Rees River.
It’s an easy trail that follows Diamond Creek with beautiful views of the Dart Valley and Paradise at the end of the trail. The best thing is it only takes 35-40 minutes to reach Lake Reid, leaving plenty of time for other activities.
8. Invincible Gold Mine Track
The Invincible Gold Mine Track was built by miners in the 1880s when, as the name suggests, gold mining really took off in the area. It’s a 4.5km (3-mile) return trail that starts on Rees Valley Road, a 30-minute drive from Glenorchy.
It is rated as an easy walking track, although expect a steady uphill climb through beech forest. The views of the Rees Valley and Mt Earnslaw from the top are beautiful.
The return trip should take about 2 to 3 hours to complete and you’ll even see some of the historic mining equipment that still remains there along the way.
10. Lunch at The Glenorchy Hotel Restaurant
The Glenorchy Hotel Pub & Restaurant is a good place to have lunch for that quintessential kiwi pub experience. They offer a range of food options with local and international beer, including craft beer on tap.
It’s a cozy atmosphere with a stone fireplace in winter and a garden terrace in summer. We’ve stopped here on several occasions and always enjoy chatting with the locals.
It’s located on Mull Street in the center of town and open every day until late.
11. Take a Thrilling Ride with Paradise Ziplines
If you’re after some adventure, ziplining is a must-do experience in Glenorchy. A zip-line, or flying fox as it’s also known, is a pulley suspended on a cable mounted on a slope. The steeper the angle the faster you’ll go. Once harnessed in you’ll be zipping your way through some of the most spectacular scenery New Zealand has to offer.
Paradise Ziplines is one of the best places to go ziplining in New Zealand. They have 8 ziplines in varying lengths that will have you flying through stunning mountain views out to Mt Aspiring National Park and Paradise on the high lines.
Then, as you wind your way down the gorge on the lower lines, you’ll zip through a tree-tunnelled canyon, over a waterfall and just meters above the rapids.
Prices start at $199 NZD per person and you can choose from a morning or afternoon tour. Tours last for about 3.5 hours from start to finish. Book your Paradise Ziplines Adventure Tour here.
It’s a fun and exhilarating experience that offers unique viewpoints of this incredibly scenic area on one of the best ziplines near Queenstown.
12. Go Jet boating
How often do you get the chance to jet boat through the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Area? Well, Dart River Adventures can help you tick that off the bucketlist. In fact, they are the only company allowed to operate in the Dart River.
The Dart River Jet Boat Tour not only takes you through insanely beautiful landscapes few people get to see, but it’s also the longest scenic jet boat ride in the region.
It has a mixed pace compared to the jet boat rides in Queenstown that I’ve been on, which was a nice point of difference. It gives you the chance to really take in the scenery and hear the stories and legends of the areas you’ll be traveling through.
Plus, about halfway through the tour you’ll get out of the boat in a relatively untouched part of the region to see the flora and fauna up close. Then you’ll zoom through the rest of the Dart River to Paradise (yep that’s actually the name of the town!).
Tickets for this half-day jet boating experience cost $299 per person. You can check availability and book your spot here.
13. Try Funyaks
For a unique experience, you can try this Funyak Canoe and Jet Boat Combo Tour, and I highly recommend that you do!
A Funyak is basically an inflatable canoe that you can sit or stand on and paddle along the Dart River. After a boat ride up stream, you’ll switch to the Funyaks to travel back down stream.
You’ll get to paddle into inlets and side streams the boats can’t reach, and get so close to the untouched landscapes it feels surreal. As we were guided through the ancient chasm, all I can say is WOW! Pretty sure I swallowed a few bugs while my jaw hung open in complete awe of my surroundings.
The only way to experience Funyaks is on a guided tour. Prices start from $429 per adult and last for about 8 hours. You even have the option to include transport from Queenstown when you book.
Tours are limited to small groups so you’ll need to book in advance. You can check availability and book your spot here. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss!
14. Visit Paradise
A trip to Glenorchy wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Paradise. That’s right! A short drive from Glenorchy is the tiny rural settlement that is actually named Paradise.
Travel down the 13-kilometer (8-mile) gravel road and take in the sights of endless lush green landscapes and mountain views. You’ll likely see lots of farm animals along the ride. And don’t forget to grab a photo with the Paradise sign.
After the Paradise sign you’ll see a small driveway that leads to a collection of old buildings. There’s a walk that starts from here that takes you through the forest and then opens up to views of the valley and mountains.
This is some of the scenery that appeared in LOTR (Isengard). The walk continues in a loop with old huts along the way and takes around 90 minutes all up.
15. Glenorchy Animal Experience
The Glenorchy Animal Experience is a family farm where you can walk around and interact with friendly animals including lambs, llamas, pigs and even a Clydesdale.
Although it’s a real farm, the animals are more like pets, free roaming on expansive paddocks with ponds for the birds and ducks.
They have bags of feed you can purchase and the owners will show you how to feed the animals and tell you which animals you cannot feed. You’ll also get a run down of the rules to keep you and the animals safe and comfortable.
Then you’re free to walk around on your own and visit the animals. Even if you don’t want to feed them, just petting them and watching them live their best lives in these incredible surroundings is truly calming.
It’s one of the best activities you can do in Glenorchy for an authentic experience in a rural part of New Zealand. Perfect for families and animal lovers alike.
The Glenorchy Animal Experience is located on the Glenorchy-Paradise road a few minutes drive past the town. They are open from 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday and the admission fee is $25 NZD per adult (16+) and $15 NZD per child (5-15). You can see more details on their website.
If you plan on taking a tour to Glenorchy but don’t want to miss the animal experience, you’re in luck! This Glenorchy & Paradise Valley Tour from Queenstown includes a visit to the Glenorchy Animal Experience as well as all the other Glenorchy highlights.
16. Horse Trek through the Backcountry
If you love horses, a trek through the pristinely beautiful Glenorchy backcountry is a pretty special experience. Lighthorse Trekking (formerly Dart River Stables) and High Country Horses are the two main companies offering a range of horse treks in the Glenorchy and Paradise region.
Both companies provide a range of guided tours through the Dart Valley and river systems with the longer treks getting deeper into the backcountry.
High Country Horses has been around for over 35 years and offers a range of rides from 1 hour to multi-day treks. They cater for a range of abilities from beginner to experienced riders. Prices start from $110 NZD for a one hour ride which is perfect for beginners. You can find all their experiences on the High Country website.
Lighthorse Adventures is owned and operated by a Licensed Parelli Professional with a strong focus on the welfare of their horses. They offer riders the opportunity to connect with the horses on a deeper level and share insights into the way horses communicate with each other.
They have a range of rides starting from 1.5 hours to full day and multi-day treks. Prices start from $189 NZD for a 1.5 hour ride. You can find more information about their ethos and treks on the Lighthorse Adventures website.
17. Take a Heli Flight
A scenic flight is an exhilarating way to get a birds-eye view of the pristine landscapes around Glenorchy. You’ll fly high above snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear lakes, lush forests, and meandering rivers that are so beautiful it doesn’t seem real!
Heli Glenorchy specializes in helicopter flights. They have a range of experiences, including one that stops at Mt Earnslaw. In fact, they are the only operator (along with sister company Heliworks Queenstown) who can land in Earnslaw Burn. You can check out all the different tour options on the Heli Glenorchy website.
If you prefer to be in a small plane, Glenorchy Air offers a range of scenic flight options out of Queenstown. Some of their Milford Sound and Mt Aspiring tours fly over the Glenorchy area.
I particularly like their Half-Day Milford Sound Flight and Cruise because you get to fly over Glenorchy, including the Dart and Rees Rivers, as well as the Routeburn Track and Fiordland National Park. Plus a cruise along Milford Sound. Prices start from around $640 NZD and you get to see all the best sights.
18. Watch sunset at Bennetts Bluff
On your way back to Queenstown, stop at Bennetts Bluff Lookout for beautiful views of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountain ranges.
You’ll see the turnoff to the parking lot on your right hand side, about 20 minutes driving from Glenorchy as you head toward Queenstown.
Sunset can be magic if you are lucky and time it right with beautiful pink hues reflecting in the water of Lake Wakatipu framed by the surrounding mountains with Earnslaw Glacier in the distance.
19. Stargazing & Astrophotography
If you’re staying the night, Glenorchy is a great spot for stargazing due to its remote location and low light pollution. In the winter months you can practically see the Milky Way core with the naked eye!
We enjoyed shooting some astrophotography at the red shed and had the whole place ourselves. Another great spot for astrophotography is the Little Paradise Wharf.
It’s an old jetty that is falling apart but it creates a nice composition for night photography. The Southern lights have even been photographed from this very spot, but I haven’t been lucky enough to catch them yet.
You’ll find it next to the Little Paradise Lodge, a 15 minute drive from Glenorchy town on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to see and do in Glenorchy. You can mix and match options to suit your desire, budget and level of fitness to create an absolutely memorable day trip to this special little town.
If you have the time, an overnight stay in Glenorchy is highly recommended. You’ll be able to experience even more of what this town has to offer and really soak in the peace and tranquility of being off the beaten path.
Where to Stay in Glenorchy
There are several options for accommodation in and around Glenorchy ranging from tenting to luxury villas.
Mrs Woolley’s Campground is a great Budget option located right in the center of Glenorchy. It has 33 unpowered sites for tents and 5 powered sites. All have access to the shared facilities. There are a few other campsites heading out toward Mt Aspiring National Park including Diamond Lake and the Sylvan Campsite.
The Headwaters Eco Lodge has a range of lodging options to suit every budget from simple dorms & cabins to private chalets offering eco luxe accommodation. The lodge and chalets are designed to be net positive in energy output, without sacrificing the modern comforts. The property has a modern yet rustic charm making guests feel at home in a welcoming and cozy environment.
For a truly off the grid experience, The Paradise Trust has rustic cabins and historic cottages dating back to the late 1800s. It’s located on the fringe of Mt Aspiring National Park in the rural town of Paradise just outside Glenorchy. A great option to truly disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.
EcoScape pods is a unique lakeside eco retreat located at the top of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand’s smallest township of Kinloch, about a 25 minute drive from Glenorchy. Their two guest pods are environmentally friendly, cleverly combining sustainability with luxury comforts. You’ll feel a million miles from civilization and truly immersed in nature.
Next door is Kinloch Wilderness Retreat which offers a range of accommodation to suit different budgets. They have a restaurant on site offering home cooked meals made from local and sustainable ingredients.
The Glenorchy Lake House is part of Kinloch Wilderness Retreat and one of the best accommodation options based on the waterfront in the heart of Glenorchy. It’s a Lake House B&B complete with its own spa for a truly indulgent accommodation experience.
If you’re coming to Glenorchy for adventure then The Great Glenorchy Alpine base Camp may be just the place for you. It’s located in the heart of Glenorchy on Oban Street and has a range of different huts to choose from. On site facilities include a licensed restaurant, sauna, BBQ area, drying room, laundry facilities and most importantly…a sense of community! They offer a range of wilderness adventures from day trips to multi-night survival treks, all organized by locals keen to share their spectacular backyard.
Airbnbs are another great accommodation option that come in a variety of sizes, styles and prices. You can find great properties to suit a range of budgets in and around Glenorchy. We recently stayed at a wonderful Airbnb in Glenorchy. It was new and clean with a little kitchenette, a huge bathroom and friendly hosts.
Final Thoughts
Whether you visit as a day trip from Queenstown, stay for several days, Glenorchy’s charming and humble nature will steal your heart while the draw dropping scenery will leave you in awe. It’s a special place, a little slice of Paradise on earth. I hope you get to try some of these wonderful things to do in Glenorchy and create lasting memories on your next visit.
If you are heading back to Queenstown you might find my Queenstown accommodation guide useful in helping you choose where to stay for the next leg of your adventure.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Pin for later!
Heather is a travel enthusiast living in New Zealand with her family. She writes about living in and enjoying travel to New Zealand.