Outlook from Kinloch Lodge the head of Lake Wakatipu and the mouth of the Dart River

Glenorchy

Glenorchy is the gateway to Paradise, and the jumping off point to the Routeburn Track and the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

Glenorchy is a 45 minute gob-smacking scenic drive from Queenstown, renowned as one of the top 10 scenic drives in the world. The township of Glenorchy sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and is known as the ‘Gateway to Paradise’. Not only is it close to Paradise itself, Glenorchy is the jumping off point for the Routeburn Track, one of the top 10 classic hikes in the world.

Glenorchy township is the heart of the head of the lake. This small town has a few cafes and shops, a small general store, a true country pub, and accommodation from campsites and backpackers through to the luxury of award-winning Blanket Bay.

Staying in Glenorchy is a must for those who want to immerse themselves in some of New Zealand’s best scenery. Glenorchy is a sought after location for the film industry with shoots such as The Chronicles of Narnia, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and the Lord Of The Rings trilogy.