Glenorchy Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Glenorchy which includes mountains, a pebble beach and forests
Glenorchy
Glenorchy featuring a lake or waterhole, mountains and a pebble beach
Glenorchy featuring a pebble beach, a lake or waterhole and mountains
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 WakatipuOpens in a new window 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 ParkOpens in a new window 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 QueenstownOpens in a new window 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
The price is AU$222 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
AU$222
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this 4-star ski aparthotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a ski shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,151 reviews)
"We enjoyed the location, except for the lack of parking spaces. The rooms were good, but the coffee bags provided should probably be at least two for a room for two. It was a quick five minute walk to the Kawarau River track which is great."

Reviewed on 23 Mar. 2025

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
Holiday Inn Express And Suites Queenstown by IHG
Holiday Inn Express And Suites Queenstown by IHG
4 out of 5
CNR STANLEY AND SYDNEY STREET, Queenstown
The price is AU$229 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
AU$229
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
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! (1,004 reviews)
"Close to the CBD, good breakfast and friendly staff."

Reviewed on 21 Mar. 2025

Holiday Inn Express And Suites Queenstown by IHG
Rendezvous Heritage Hotel Queenstown
Rendezvous Heritage Hotel Queenstown
4.5 out of 5
91 Fernhill Road, Queenstown
The price is AU$356 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$356
includes taxes & fees
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"The Lakeside rooms have a beautiful view of the lake. Offerings at the restaurant/bar were enjoyable and creative. Somewhat limited selection for lunch/dinner but we had four different mains and all were excellent. We parked in the underground garage which has limited parking although not a problem ..."

Reviewed on 23 Mar. 2025

Rendezvous Heritage Hotel 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.
Toddy’s crib
Toddy’s crib
Glenorchy
Book a stay at this golf cabin in Glenorchy. Enjoy a garden. Popular attractions Glenorchy Golf Club and Glenorchy Waterfront Reserve are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (7 reviews)
2 nights stay
"Great place for a short stay. Clifton was a good host. Handy walking distance to Mrs Woolies for brunch and other items. Love Glenorchy."

Reviewed on 6 Mar. 2025

Toddy’s crib
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 (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,151 reviews)
"We enjoyed the location, except for the lack of parking spaces. The rooms were good, but the coffee bags provided should probably be at least two for a room for two. It was a quick five minute walk to the Kawarau River track which is great."

Reviewed on 23 Mar. 2025

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
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, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,309 reviews)
"Great location easily walkable to the downtown and wharfs areas. Room was small but comfortable. Carpets appeared quite dirty."

Reviewed on 15 Mar. 2025

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 61%
4 - Good
8
4 - Good 35%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

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

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

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

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Quiet little town

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