Glenorchy Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Glenorchy showing a lake or waterhole, forests and mountains
Glenorchy
Glenorchy featuring a pebble beach, wild flowers and a lake or waterhole
Glenorchy featuring a lake or waterhole, mountains and a pebble beach
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.

The Headwaters Eco Lodge

The Headwaters Eco Lodge

5 out of 5
42 Oban Street, Glenorchy, Otago
The price is ₹37,054 per night from 19 Jul to 20 Jul
₹37,054
₹42,725 total
19 Jul - 20 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury lodge in Glenorchy. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Glenorchy Golf Club and Glenorchy Waterfront ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (26 reviews)
"Wonderful ecolodge in beautiful setting. The staff and chef are wonderful and welcoming. We loved our visit."

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2025

The Headwaters Eco Lodge
Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

4 out of 5
88 Frankton Road, Queenstown
The price is ₹13,862 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
₹13,862
₹15,941 total
21 Jul - 22 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Very convenient location on Frankton road. Rooms were spacious quiet and warm. Car parking is free."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview
Ramada by Wyndham Queenstown Central

Ramada by Wyndham Queenstown Central

4 out of 5
24 Frankton Road, Queenstown
The price is ₹11,338 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
₹11,338
₹13,039 total
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,010 reviews)
"Fantastic property with friendly staff and convenient location!"

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2025

Ramada by Wyndham Queenstown Central
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.
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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,361 reviews)
"Very nice property with everything you need close to town."

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2025

Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown
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 Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and a ski shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,251 reviews)
"Good service"

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
Wyndham Garden Remarkables Park Queenstown

Wyndham Garden Remarkables Park Queenstown

4 out of 5
32 Red Oak Drive, Remarkables Park, Queenstown
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (811 reviews)
"Stayed at the Wyndham Garden in Frankton and found it very agreeable. I originally wanted to find accommodation in Queenstown due to wanting to find parking in town but the price difference between Queenstown backpacker rooms and the Wyndham Garden would pay for 5-6 days all day parking in ..."

Reviewed on 8 Jul 2025

Wyndham Garden Remarkables Park 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

Reviews of Glenorchy

5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
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5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely little town. Good access to Routeburn track.

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