Considering a visit to Glenorchy, NZ? It’s a wonderful idea—our day trip to Glenorchy ended up being one of the very best things we did during our four days in Queenstown.
Glenorchy is a small settlement on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, and can be reached in just 45 minutes by car from Queenstown. With a population of less than 400 people and only a handful of sights and activities, it’s a lovely little place to escape the action of Queenstown and embrace a slower pace of life.
So, what exactly is there to do in Glenorchy? Walking and hiking, horseback riding, kayaking…it’s essentially an outdoor lovers paradise, and in one of the most beautiful regions of New Zealand, no less.
Also, several iconic scenes in The Lord of the Rings trilogy were shot in and around Glenorchy; some of the most notable Middle Earth locations filmed here include Lothlorien and Isengard.
Our morning in Glenorchy was so peaceful and lovely: we walked, we looked at the water, we drank coffee, and we enjoyed an amazing, wholesome brunch. Y’all, life is GOOD in Glenorchy.
I’ve put together an outline of our day trip to Glenorchy, including all of the things we saw, did, and ate in town. At the very bottom of this post I’ve also mentioned a few other ideas for things to do in Glenorchy.
8:30AM: Depart Queenstown
Rise and shine, sleepyheads!
Glenorchy is one of the most popular day trip destinations near Queenstown, which means it’s wise to get an early start if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful experience.
We were out the door and in the car by 8:30am, which ended up being pretty perfect timing. The roads were quiet and empty throughout most of our drive, and we scored a prime parking spot when we got to town.
The drive between Queenstown and Glenorchy is SO STUNNING that it’s actually listed as the #1 attraction in Queenstown on TripAdvisor—yes, above sights like Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown Gardens.
The scenery throughout the entire 45-minute drive is spectacular, but you’ll want to plan a special stop at Bennetts Bluff Lookout for views over Lake Wakatipu.
We actually missed the official turnout for Bennetts Bluff and had to pull over at the next available turnout (literally just a stone’s throw further up the road). Still, I was pretty pleased with these sweeping views of the lake and mountains.
In seemingly no time at all, you’ll find yourself in the heart of “downtown” Glenorchy. The drive may end up taking closer to an hour, depending on the quantity and length of your stops.
9:30AM: Coffee at The Trading Post Glenorchy
We were surprised to find that none of the breakfast places we had been eying were open by the time we arrived in Glenorchy, just a bit before 9:30am. Instead, we settled for flat whites at The Trading Post Glenorchy…although “settled” doesn’t really feel like the right word choice.
This quaint little cafe is as sweet as can be, with an inviting interior and plenty of outdoor seating. The morning air was crisp, chilly and slightly damp, but the views of the mountains in the distance and the large grassy lawn were oh-so inviting that we opted to sit outside anyways.
The coffees were excellent, and helped us stay warm and cozy!
10:00AM: Glenorchy Waterfront Reserve
The Glenorchy Waterfront Reserve is a small public park and a wonderful place to enjoy Glenorchy’s waterfront scenery. Walk out to the end of the pier for panoramic views of the calm, blue-green water.
The iconic little red shed that is featured in many photos of Glenorchy is also located here at the waterfront reserve. Definitely a popular spot for photographers!
Overall, there’s not a whole lot to see at the Glenorchy Wharf. My recommendation? Soak it in and don’t rush it! Glenorchy is all about slowing down and connecting with nature, and the waterfront is a great place to do exactly that.
10:30AM: Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway
Our morning in Glenorchy had thus far been absolutely lovely, but it was about to get even more charming.
The Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway is a 1.5-hour loop trail that winds through the wetlands of Glenorchy. It’s completely flat, so doable for all levels of fitness.
We kept it slow and leisurely, walking hand-in-hand as we listened for birdcalls and admired the views of the Glenorchy lagoon and Mt. Earnslaw in the distance.
The trail begins as a compact dirt path, but after roughly 30 minutes of walking you’ll come to the boardwalk section of the trail. This is by far the most scenic and impressive part!
The boardwalk grazes the water below as it leads through dense wetlands. An occasional clearing through the trees grants views of the Glenorchy lagoon.
If you’re lucky, the bench located mid-way along the boardwalk will be empty, so you can sit and soak in the views for a while. For ten minutes or so we sat here enjoying the silence and the stillness, broken only by the sound of a bird singing, the wind rustling the trees, or a swan sending ripples through the water.
This was definitely one of my favorite views—and honestly, favorite experiences—of our 10 days in New Zealand. While we were there, I tried so hard to burn those images into my permanent memory so I could recall them later, in moments of stress and anxiety. It was that peaceful.
12:00PM: Brunch at Glenorchy Café & Bar – The GYC
By now, you’re probably starving—so let’s eat!
We didn’t have the highest of hopes in terms of dining in Queenstown (there are only a handful of restaurants, which is sometimes a red flag). In the end, we settled on brunch at Glenorchy Café & Bar – The GYC.
Y’all, this adorable little cafe blew us away.
I ordered the the scrambled eggs with salmon and sautéed veggies, and I had no idea it was going to come piled on top of a soft and flaky croissant, with all sorts of delicious toppings. Sliced avocado! Pumpkin seeds! Dipping sauces!
This was the single best breakfast we had in New Zealand…and we had no shortage of great breakfasts during this trip. Derek ordered the salmon bruschetta (from the lunch menu) and promises that it was every bit as delicious as my scramble.
There is some indoor seating, but I highly recommend sitting outside in the back garden to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and surrounding views.
1:00PM: Walk Around “Downtown” Glenorchy
By this point we had already seen the majority of what “downtown” Glenorchy had to offer (in quotations because I’m not sure a place this tiny truly qualifies as a downtown area) but it’s still worth a look around.
Mrs Woolly’s General Store is a popular place to shop for gifts and souvenirs. You can also apparently order excellent gelato and hot pies here, which I’m very sad to say we didn’t know about before visiting!
By this point we were ready to head back and enjoy a leisurely afternoon in Queenstown, but you could certainly stick around with plenty of time to enjoy another activity or two. I’ve listed some suggestions for other activities in Glenorchy below.
Other Things to Do in Glenorchy
- Glenorchy Animal Experience: Get a taste of New Zealand farm life at this bucolic farm just outside of town, on the way to Paradise. Pet and feed friendly goats, alpacas, mini horses, sheep, cows, bunnies, and other farm animals. Visit the website for more information.
- Dart River Jet Boat or Funyaks: Choose your own adventure on the Dart River: a thrilling jet boat ride, or a tranquil funyak (inflatable kayak) expedition. Visit the website for more information.
- Horse Riding: Saddle up and experience a 1- or 2-hour journey on horseback through the Dart Valley. I’m getting serious Lord of the Rings vibes from these photos! Visit the website for more information.
- Scenic helicopter ride: Heli Glenorchy provides travelers with the rare opportunity to view Glenorchy and the surrounding regions from above. Flights depart from Glenorchy, and include destinations like Mt Earnslaw Glacier, Milford Sound, and Mount Aspiring National Park. Visit the website for more information.
On our drive back to Queenstown from Glenorchy later that afternoon, we noticed a whole lot of traffic heading the opposite way from us; i.e. towards Glenorchy. We were really glad to have made the trip early in the morning to avoid the majority of the crowds—I definitely think it enhanced our experience.
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Does Glenorchy, NZ look like a place you would like to visit? Please let me know if you have any questions about planning a day trip to Glenorchy, and I’ll do my best to answer!
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