11 epic things to do in Glenorchy
Hike, horse ride, and enjoy the peace and quiet of this small town 45 minutes from Queenstown.
GLENORCHY ESSENTIALS
// Go for short walks and hikes
// Visit Lord of the Rings locations
// Stay at rustic accommodation at The Headwaters or Paradise Trust
At first glance, it doesn’t look like there’s much to do in Glenorchy.
This tiny town 45 minutes from Queenstown is more like a village, with a small cluster of shops, a campground, and the famous red boat shed. You could drive through Glenorchy in a matter of minutes.
Looks can be deceiving though, because there’s lots to do in Glenorchy and the surrounding area.
Glenorchy can make a much quieter base for outdoor adventures than Queenstown — in fact, I highly recommend staying several nights here so you can check out all the awesome things to do in Glenorchy.
So don’t drive on through. Pause in Glenorchy and take the time to explore this incredible corner of the South Island.
Map of Glenorchy
Glenorchy is famous for its sweeping, rugged landscapes that inspired filming for Lord of the Rings. Between the mountain peaks, glittering lake, and wide rivers of clear blue water, Glenorchy is home to some of the most stunning scenery in the South Island.
Glenorchy is well worth visiting for at least one night, so you have time to explore some of the walks in the area.
As you can see on the map above, attractions in Glenorchy are spread out, so it’s easiest to explore if you have your own rental car.
Top 10 things to do in Glenorchy
If you’re wondering what to do in Glenorchy, know that this small town is all about the outdoors.
Don your hiking boots and a warm woolly jumper to fit in with the locals — it can get chilly here — and set off to explore.
Short on time? Make sure you don’t miss:
The Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway
Funyaking the Dart River
1) Visit the Glenorchy boat shed and jetty
Photography by the talented Shellie Evans
It’s a cliche, but you have to visit the famous red boat shed in Glenorchy.
It’s a nice picture spot, and you can walk down the pier behind the shed for views across the water.
Go early in the morning or late in the evening to catch the changing sunlight on the surrounding mountains and avoid the worst of the crowds.
A note: Don’t try to swim anywhere near the jetty. It’s a dangerous spot and two people drowned here within a week of each other in summer 2023.
2) Walk the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway
Photography by Jamie Wang
The Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway is a short walk that follows a boardwalk around the lagoon and wetlands. The walk starts close to the red boatshed (see here) so you can easily combine the two on a morning or afternoon walk around Glenorchy.
The Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway takes around one-two hours, and you’ll get beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, plus spot some birds along the way.
On calm days, the mountain peaks are reflected in the water of the lagoon.
There are plenty of benches and picnic tables along the way, so it’s nice to take it slow and stop for a picnic to enjoy the scenery.
You can grab coffees to go and some homemade snacks at Mrs Woolly’s General Store before the walk, to savour along with the view.
3) Hike the Routeburn Track
// 2-4 day hike, or sections as a day walk
// See highlights of Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks
Glenorchy is a great base for day walks, or a stopover before you hike the whole Routeburn Track.
It’s a 30 minute drive from Glenorchy to the Routeburn Shelter, where the Great Walk starts, so it’s easy striking distance for day walks.
You can hike in to the first hut on the track and back in about three hours, or walk some of the shorter trails around the Routeburn Shelter.
You’ll get to experience the bright blue water of the Route Burn river, typical of Mount Aspiring National Park, and mossy beech forests.
If you want to hike the whole Routeburn you can either walk one way and pop out on the Te Anau side, or do what I did and hike as far as Lake Mackenzie Campsite, stay the night there, and then turn around and walk back.
It means covering most of the trail in two days, which might be a bit much if you’re not as keen as I am!
4) Go to Paradise
There is a town called Paradise, and it is aptly named.
Driving from Glenorchy to Paradise takes around 30 minutes. The road is narrow and unsealed for a lot of the drive, so go slowly if you’re not used to gravel roads.
Paradise itself is little more than a sign on the side of the road.
There is a short walk you can do around the valley, which starts from a historical property. Head to these historical buildings to find the start of the trail. It’s a loop track and takes around 90 minutes.
5) Stay in a rustic backcountry hut in Paradise
// Huts from $95 a night
// Book on the Paradise Trust website
Here’s a secret about Paradise — it has some of the best accommodation in Glenorchy.
The Paradise Trust manages boutique and rustic accommodation in Paradise, including a selection of backcountry huts. They are rustic in the sense that there’s no vehicle access to some of them, no electricity, and long drop toilets.
You’ll need to bring your own food and bedding, but if you’re up for it you’ll be in for an unforgettable night. This is a chance to reconnect with nature in one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
It’s real off grid wilderness accommodation. But in gorgeous huts with unbeatable views.
As well as being a place to stay, these huts are one of the best experiences in Glenorchy.
6) Feel the magic of Middle Earth at Lord of the Rings filming locations
Glenorchy is famously surrounded by locations from the Lord of the Rings films.
The vast mountains and braided rivers do feel wild and magical — you can see why Peter Jackson chose to bring the stories to life in Glenorchy.
It’s easy enough to DIY a Lord of the Rings location tour.
Here’s where you can find the locations of some famous Lord of the Rings filming spots around Glenorchy:
Isengard Lookout: Glenorchy's Paradise area was chosen as the filming location for Isengard, the once-beautiful Elven stronghold that became the dark realm of Saruman. The impressive backdrop of soaring mountains and the serene waters of Diamond Lake perfectly captured the ominous atmosphere of this pivotal location.
Lothlorien: The magical forest of Lothlorien, home to the wise Galadriel and the Elves, was beautifully represented in the forests surrounding Glenorchy. The ethereal beech trees and tranquil atmosphere helped create the enchanting setting for this Elven realm.
Ithilien Lookout: The lush native forests and rugged terrain near Glenorchy stood in for the region of Ithilien, where Frodo, Sam, and Gollum journeyed on their way to Mount Doom. The untamed beauty of the area added depth to the characters' emotional and physical journey.
Battle of Amon Hen: Close to Glenorchy, the area around Twelve Mile Delta was used to film the dramatic Battle of Amon Hen, where the Fellowship's unity shattered.
Beorn's House (The Hobbit): Although technically not in the Lord of the Rings trilogy but featured in The Hobbit films, the Beorn's House scenes were filmed in the Dart River Valley, near Glenorchy. This area's rugged beauty perfectly matched the home of the skin-changer Beorn.
If you’d prefer to make sure you’re not missing anything crucial, a Lord of the Rings location tour from Glenorchy is a must do.
Lord of the Rings tours will help you see what you might otherwise miss, and put into context the landscapes.
“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door. You step into the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to ”
7) Hike the Earnslaw Burn
// 8.3 kilometres one way
// 5 hours one way
// See hike details on the DOC website
The Earnslaw Burn Track is a solid full day hike, or an overnight trip from Glenorchy.
The track follows the Earnslaw Burn (a small river) through a valley until it reaches a viewpoint with views of icefall on Mount Earnslaw. The tussock basin surrounded by snowy mountain peaks is a striking scene.
It takes around 4-5 hours one way to hike Earnslaw Burn, so a lot of people take tents and camp at the head of the valley. You can find shelter under an overhanging rock near where the trail ends.
It’s a challenging hike through rough terrain, with lots of mud and occasionally fallen trees, but the view at the end make this one of the best things to do in Glenorchy for outdoor adventure lovers.
Helicopter flights to Earnslaw Burn
If you would love to see the Earnslaw Burn but don’t fancy the difficult two day hike, you can also hitch a ride on a helicopter.
Heli Glenorchy operates scenic flights up to the Earnslaw Burn, which swoop over the spectacular hanging Earnslaw glacier.
This is a truly epic way to get to experience the beauty of this remote spot, and you have the option of adding on a glacier landing, or a hiking section to the trip.
8) Go horse riding in exquisite landscapes
// Half day rides start at $110
// Options for beginners to experienced riders
Hopping on a horse is an adventurous way of seeing the sweeping landscapes around Glenorchy.
Plunging through the braided rivers that thread across the valley floor, and weaving through trails at the feet of mountains feels like a taste of both New Zealand’s high country culture and the fantasy world of Lord of the Rings.
When I visited with my mum and sister — both of whom are horse mad — we went with High Country Horses and had a great time.
They let us go for a little gallop since we know how to ride, but their horses were wonderfully steady and patient, perfect for beginner riders as well.
The other option to look at is Lighthorse Adventures.
9) Stop at Frank’s Corner Glenorchy to buy some wool socks
Frank’s Corner is a cute little shop in Glenorchy where you can stock up on wool socks. Frank’s merino socks are thick and warm — perfect for cool Glenorchy nights.
These merino socks make wonderful souvenirs from the South Island.
They also make great hiking socks, and I love wearing mine when I reach huts at night. Their thickness is nice and pillowy for sore feet after a day of hiking.
They also have possum fur options, which are even warmer and a nice novelty gift.
The store is full of other New Zealand made goods too, so you might walk out with more than just socks.
10) Discover the stunning beauty of the Dart River in a funyak
// $399 for a full day funyak experience
// Book with Dart River Adventures
The Dart River is a blue, braided river in Mount Aspiring National Park, close to Glenorchy.
The pebbled river bed weaves through a mesmerising river valley, with glacial water sluicing through a network of channels and pools until it finally reaches Lake Wakatipu.
Dart River Adventures is a tour company that helps people get out and explore the beauty of the river. You can choose their wilderness river jet experience, which is a classic jet boat tour.
Or, you can try something more unique — exploring the Dart River in funyaks.
This tour includes a jet boat ride from Glenorchy up the Dart River, so you still get the adrenaline kick of whooshing up the water in a speedy boat.
For the return trip though, you can travel in funyaks, which are a type of inflatable canoe.
This is a very cool option for enjoying more of the river. It’s quieter, slower, and just a little more special than being in a jet boat.
11) Experience a wild canyon from the air with Paradise Ziplines
Image courtesy of Paradise Ziplines
Paradise Ziplines offers one of the most exciting things to do in Glenorchy.
Eight ziplines cover a total of 8 kilometres of adventure, sending you whizzing above alpine streams, waterfalls, rapids, and turquoise pools.
You’ll get to experience Glenorchy’s incredible landscapes, with stunning views out to Mt Aspiring National Park and Paradise. The ziplines swoop through the forest canopy and stretch only metres above the water.
One of the lines passes above a pool dubbed the Blue Lagoon — this is a very cool way to experience the incredibly beautiful blue water typical of the this part of the South Island.
Getting to Glenorchy
The easiest way to get to Glenorchy is to drive in your own rental car or campervan.
There are shuttles that can take you to Glenorchy if you’re hiking the Routeburn track, or tours that will take you to the Lord of the Rings locations.
However, having your own wheels means you can do more activities in Glenorchy and stay overnight to get the most out of your experience.
Queenstown to Glenorchy
Driving from Queenstown to Glenorchy takes about 45 minutes. There are a couple of places to stop off along the way if you want to savour the scenic drive, including Bob’s Cove and Bennett’s Bluff View Point, where you can go for a short 15 minute walk.
You can easily visit Glenorchy as a day trip from Queenstown, enjoying a couple of short walks and the scenery. Or, for a quieter stay, you can spend a night or two.
Wanaka to Glenorchy
Driving from Wanaka to Glenorchy takes approximately two hours.
Where to stay in Glenorchy
Glenorchy is a small town and you won’t find a huge range of accommodation here.
The Headwaters Eco Lodge at Camp Glenorchy (highly recommended!)
If you feel like splurging, I highly recommend The Headwaters Eco Lodge at Camp Glenorchy. It is a truly spectacular place to stay, so much so TIME Magazine named it one of the World's 100 Greatest Places of 2019.
I count a stay at the Headwaters Eco Lodge as an experience in itself, like the Paradise huts. In some ways, it feels like the lodge encapsulates everything that’s special about Glenorchy.
Its sustainability credentials are impeccable, and the grounds are a celebration of the natural environment, with native grasses and a lot of thick wooden beams. Inside you’ll find work from local and national craftspeople.
I stayed here before and after walking the Routeburn (I walked in and back) and loved every detail. From the gardens to the art works inside and the luxurious facilities, it’s a unique stay that feels completely in tune with the landscape surrounding it.
Mrs Woolly’s Campground
Mrs Woolly’s campground is the best option for adventurous travellers. You can book tent or campervan sites on the scenic grounds.
How long should you stay in Glenorchy?
Two nights in Glenorchy will give you plenty of time to explore the surrounding area. Although the town of Glenorchy itself is small and easily explored in an afternoon, there are many outdoors activities in Glenorchy to keep you busy.
If you have more time, staying three or four nights would give you time to explore Paradise, the Routeburn track, and the Dart River — some highlights of the Queenstown region.
Glenorchy is an awesome base for adventure, and if you don’t mind a smaller selection of places to eat it’s a great alternative to staying in Queenstown.
Thanks for reading this far! I hope you found some ideas for things to do around Glenorchy.
If you’re planning a trip around the South Island, you might also find these articles useful:
