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Before you go
Your trip to Glenorchy.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Glenorchy – Otago Destination Queenstown (New Zealand): Queenstown; Arrowtown; Glenorchy about 325 km from Dunedin
How to get there
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Aeroporto de Queenstown (ZQN) Frankton · 53 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
It is about 45 km from Queenstown, roughly a 45-minute drive along the lakefront road. There is transport for walkers and organized tours from Queenstown. The start of the Routeburn Track is about 25 km from the village.
How many days
Half a day to a day from Queenstown: the road, the jetty and the lagoon trail. The full Routeburn crossing takes three days; a one-day section reaches Routeburn Falls.
When to go
From December to March, for hiking and long daylight hours; the Routeburn season runs from late October to late April. In autumn, the lakeshore colours. In winter, the road is often kept open, but the high trails are subject to avalanche risk.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
It helps to plan, because transport is limited. There are buses for walkers and organized tours from Queenstown.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Glenorchy
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Morning
Glenorchy road
Drive from Queenstown along the shore of Lake Wakatipu, stopping at viewpoints such as Bennetts Bluff, with views over the lake and the islands.
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Afternoon
Routeburn Track
Go to the start of the Routeburn Track and do a section, such as the return walk through the forest to the first bridges. Check the distance and return with plenty of daylight.
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Late afternoon
Jetty and lagoon
Back in the village, see the red jetty on the lake and walk the Glenorchy lagoon trail, along wooden boardwalks with the mountains nearby.
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Evening
Return to Queenstown
Dine in the village, which has few restaurants, or return to Queenstown before dark along the winding road.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is Glenorchy worth visiting?
Yes — for the lakeside road, the mountains and the walks such as the Routeburn. It is a common day trip from Queenstown.
How long from Queenstown to Glenorchy?
About a 45-minute drive, roughly 45 km along the lakefront road.
Where were Lord of the Rings scenes filmed near Glenorchy?
At Paradise and the surrounding valleys, where scenes from The Fellowship of the Ring were filmed. There are organized tours that show the sites.
Does Glenorchy have places to stay?
Yes — some lodgings and campsites, used by people who start the tracks early. Book in summer.