Glenorchy Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Glenorchy
Hike amid breathtaking mountain scenery, kayak on a glistening lake, try river fishing and go on an exhilarating jet boat ride at this lakeside town.

Positioned on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and in the shadow of a dramatic mountain range, Glenorchy is deserving of its “Gateway to Paradise” moniker. Visit the small town to enjoy year-round outdoor and adventure activities suitable for all ages. Bring your camera to capture shots of some of New Zealand’s most idyllic landscapes, magnificent settings that have been used as filming locations for films such as The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia.

Visit the Glenorchy Information Centre, situated in the heart of town, to pick up information about the town’s activities. Stroll to the Glenorchy Waterfront Reserve and then to the edge of the pier for lovely views over Lake Wakatipu. See imposing mountain peaks, including the Centaur Peaks, Mount Bonpland and Tooth Peaks. Go for a swim in the calm lake water on a warm summer’s day.

Traverse the lake by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Either explore at your own pace with rented equipment or take a guided tour. Travel along the lake and rivers at exhilarating speeds on a jet boat ride or enjoy a slower pace fishing for salmon and trout on the Dart River and Rees River. Ride on horseback through pristine beech forests to spectacular viewpoints.

Discover more of the town’s natural beauty via short and multiday walking tracks. Walk to Glenorchy Lagoon or hike the zigzagging trail to Mount Alfred. Multiday hikes starting from the town include the Routeburn Track, Rees and Dart Track and Greenstone/Caples Track. These tracks cross sections of the Fiordland National Park and Mount Aspiring National Park, both part of the UNESCO-protected Te Wahipounamu heritage area.

Play nine holes while admiring picture-perfect panoramas at Glenorchy Golf Club. Eat and drink at the handful of cafés and restaurants or purchase food for picnics at Glenorchy’s small supermarket.

Glenorchy is a 45-minute drive from Queenstown via a scenic, lakefront road. Get here via bike, rented car or shuttle bus. The town’s tour operators make discovering this paradisiacal destination easy and stress free.

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
4 out of 5
16 - 18 Mountain Ash Drive, Remarkables Park, Queenstown
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$166 per night from 13 May to 14 May
NZ$166
per night
13 May - 14 May
Stay at this 4-star ski aparthotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a ski shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (673 reviews)
"Very convenient express place to stay"

Reviewed on 14 Apr. 2024

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
Holiday Inn Express And Suites Queenstown, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express And Suites Queenstown, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
CNR STANLEY AND SYDNEY STREET, Queenstown
The price is NZ$242 per night from 12 May to 13 May
NZ$242
per night
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (744 reviews)
Amazing
"Staff were exceptionally polite, helpful and caring."

Reviewed on 14 Apr. 2024

Holiday Inn Express And Suites Queenstown, an IHG Hotel
Kamana Lakehouse
Kamana Lakehouse
4.5 out of 5
139 Fernhill Road, Queenstown
The price is NZ$290 per night from 12 May to 13 May
NZ$290
per night
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 spa tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (296 reviews)
Worth the stay.
"Beautiful and comfortable room. Staff was awesome, they even helped thread a needle. Breakfast was included in our package but the second day we had to leave before breakfast was served. We requested a boxed breakfast and it was amazing. Juice, apple, banana, yogurt, small sandwich, granola bar and ..."

Reviewed on 12 Apr. 2024

Kamana Lakehouse
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
4 out of 5
16 - 18 Mountain Ash Drive, Remarkables Park, Queenstown
Stay at this 4-star ski aparthotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a ski shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (673 reviews)
"Very convenient express place to stay"

Reviewed on 14 Apr. 2024

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
Unique Modern Log Home - Stunning Mountain Views, Designed for Comfort
Unique Modern Log Home - Stunning Mountain Views, Designed for Comfort
Glenorchy
Stay at this vacation home in Glenorchy. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Glenorchy Golf Club and Glenorchy Waterfront Reserve ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (29 reviews)
Awesome Family Fun
"This modern Log House was beautiful and would recommend it to all travelers, excellent facilities and within walking distance to all Glenorchy activities. Glenorchy is a beautiful place with a lot of outdoor activities to partake in."

Reviewed on 1 Apr. 2024

Unique Modern Log Home - Stunning Mountain Views, Designed for Comfort
Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown
Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown
5 out of 5
110 Frankton Road, Queenstown
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient parking ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,063 reviews)
"great location, clean and quiet. I would stay here again."

Reviewed on 9 Apr. 2024

Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Glenorchy

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
14
" "5 - Excellent 60.869565217391305%
4 - Good
8
" "4 - Good 34.78260869565217%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 4.3478260869565215%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
25 Feb 2020

A great place to get away from the tourists and crowds in Queenstown. The scenery is beautiful and the hiking tracks were in good condition and easy to get to from town. It’s easiest to get there and to get around if you have your own car.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
27 Jan 2020

It's a great place for a getaway weekend and to just relax and take in the scenery. Only downside was no airconditoning in the room

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
27 Dec 2019

Quiet and beautiful scenic town with snow capped mountains and walking tracks around.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
14 Nov 2019

There's not much in Glenorchy itself, although the Glenorchy General Store has a great variety of locally produced goods and souvenirs of good quality. They have everything from merino products to skin creams, biscuits, cups & unique kitchen items.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
9 Oct 2019

A beautiful location. The most stunning environment. We loved it!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
16 Jun 2019

Quiet little town

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