Thing to do
Kawarau Bridge Bungy
AJ Hackett's original 43-metre bungy from the 1880 Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, where the world's first commercial bungy jump took place in 1988.
Glenorchy Day Trip
A 45 km trip along the lake to the small settlement of Glenorchy, gateway to the Routeburn Track, film locations at Paradise and a certified Dark Sky Sanctuary.
At a glance
- Type
- Scenic drive and village
- Area
- Glenorchy, Queenstown, New Zealand
Good to know
- Lagoon boardwalk
- Dark Sky Sanctuary
- Walking track access
Why we recommend it
Glenorchy is a small settlement at the northern head of Lake Wakatipu, about 45 kilometres from Queenstown by road or boat, and the trip there is one of the classic half-day or full-day outings from town. The road follows the northern shore of the lake, passing the turn-off to Moke Lake, before arriving at a village of around 360 people, surrounded by mountains where the Dart River, Te Awa Whakatipu, and the Rees River flow into the lake.
The settlement was surveyed in 1864 and named after Glen Orchy, a valley in Argyll in Scotland. Ngāi Tahu are the local iwi, and the area receives far less rain than Fiordland to the west, with average annual rainfall of about 1,185 millimetres recorded in the past. It remains small: a couple of pubs, a café and a few shops serve visitors and locals, and a small airstrip at Blanket Bay, just south of town, is used by light planes and helicopters. For a short walk, the Glenorchy Lagoon boardwalk is a 3.2-kilometre loop around wetlands at the edge of town.
Glenorchy is also the gateway to some of New Zealand's best-known walking country. The Routeburn Track, one of the Great Walks, is reached through Glenorchy, as are the Greenstone and Caples Tracks and the Rees and Dart Tracks.
Film fans come for nearby Paradise, where parts of The Fellowship of the Ring were shot, including scenes set in Lothlórien and at Orthanc and the death of Boromir. The area also appeared in Vertical Limit, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and in the BBC series Top of the Lake, Glenorchy doubled as the town of Laketop. Several Queenstown operators run guided tours to these locations.
At night the area has another draw. In February 2025 Tāhuna Glenorchy was certified as a DarkSky International Dark Sky Sanctuary, one of few land-based locations with this status, and the core of the Milky Way can be seen on clear nights. Staying overnight in Glenorchy is the best way to make the most of it.
Allow at least half a day for the return drive with stops, or a full day if you plan to walk or join a jet boat or 4WD tour.
Glenorchy Day Trip FAQs
How far is Glenorchy from Queenstown?
Glenorchy is about 45 km from Queenstown by road or boat, at the northern head of Lake Wakatipu.
What is there to do in Glenorchy?
You can walk the 3.2 km Glenorchy Lagoon boardwalk, visit nearby film locations at Paradise, start hikes such as the Routeburn Track, or stay for stargazing.
Which films were made near Glenorchy?
Parts of The Fellowship of the Ring were filmed at nearby Paradise, and the area appears in Vertical Limit, Prince Caspian, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Top of the Lake.
Is Glenorchy good for stargazing?
Yes. Tāhuna Glenorchy was certified as a DarkSky International Dark Sky Sanctuary in February 2025.
Which walking tracks start near Glenorchy?
The Routeburn Track is reached through Glenorchy, as are the Greenstone, Caples, Rees and Dart Tracks.
Where does the name Glenorchy come from?
The settlement was surveyed in 1864 and named after Glen Orchy, a valley in Argyll, Scotland.
Are there places to eat in Glenorchy?
Yes. The village has two pubs, a café and a few small shops.