Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Glenorchy lies surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery on New Zealand’s South Island. It was named after a Scottish valley, Glen Orchy, and was used as a film setting for “The Fellowship of the Ring”and “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”.
Things to do in Glenorchy
Want to stretch your legs? Follow the Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway, a three-kilometre-long trail that takes in the wetlands north of Glenorchy. It offers magnificent views toward Pikirakatahi and its hanging glacier, with the snowcapped peaks of the surrounding mountains reflected in the water. Birdwatchers should keep their eyes peeled for pied oystercatchers, grey teals and swamp harriers.
Glenorchy makes a good base for hiking the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s most famous long-distance hiking trails. It takes in the majestic landscapes of Mount Aspiring and Fiordland national parks, with three huts dotted along its route. If you don’t want to hike the entire 32 kilometres, the picturesque stretch from Glenorchy to the Harris Saddle can be completed in a day.
Sweeping views across the Dart River Valley are on offer from the Scheelite Mine Battery, which was active from the late 19th century. It can be accessed via a steep hiking trail that forms part of the Mount Judah Track. At the site, learn about the hardships of mining scheelite in this remote region and the mineral’s use in alloy steel and electric light filaments.
Getting around Glenorchy
Glenorchy is around 45 minutes’ drive from Queenstown and one hour from Queenstown Airport, which has flights to destinations across New Zealand and Australia. Buses connect to Glenorchy and the town is compact enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area.