Glenorchy and surrounds
Glenorchy is the gateway to Te Wāhipounamu, the Southwest NZ UNESCO World Heritage Area, 26,000 km2 of wild mountainous terrain and fiords covered in ancient forests, with some trees over 800 years old. Named for Te Wāi Pounamu, which means the greenstone waters in Te Reo Māori, the Te Wāhipounamu region encompasses four national parks: Westland Tai Poutini, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring, and Fiordland. Not only is it globally recognised as being of outstanding natural value. The region is also a playground for adventurers, with four of New Zealand’s Great Walks passing through the area.
Glencorchy is the Gateway to Paradise and for many the jumping-off point before the start of one of New Zealand’s most famous treks - The Routeburn Track. This great walk links Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks in Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Weaving through meadows, reflective tarns, and alpine gardens, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular vistas over vast mountain ranges and valleys.
An easy 50-minute drive from Queenstown, but a drive that’s widely regarded as one of, if not the most scenic of any in New Zealand. Hugging the Lake Wakatipu shoreline you’ll drive almost to its head, where the Rees and Dart Rivers feed their glacial waters into the 84km Glacial Lake. Glenorchy is located on the South Island of New Zealand at the head of Lake Wakatipu, 48 kilometers northwest of Queenstown. Glenorchy itself is surrounded by mountains, with gorgeous views in every direction, and sits beside the lake, the Humboldt range to the West, and the Richardson range to the East. North of the town is solitary Mt Alfred between the Dart and Rees valleys and rivers. The hamlet of Kinloch is on the lakefront and directly across from Glenorchy – a mere 1.7 nautical miles as the crow flies or a scenic 26-kilometer drive away. Mt. Aspiring National Park begins close by and can be accessed from the Routeburn Road and the Paradise Road.
Distances are as follows:
Queenstown – Glenorchy – 48 kilometres
Glenorchy – Kinloch – 26 kilometres
Glenorchy – Paradise – 20 kilometres
Glenorchy – Routeburn – 28 kilometres
Kinloch – Routeburn – 18 kilometres