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Glenorchy is a small town that is situated at the head of Lake Wakatipu in the South Island of New Zealand. Glenorchy is a 45 minute drive from Queenstown and is nestled between the Richardson (east) and Humboltd (west) Mountain Ranges and overlooked by the mighty snow-capped Mount Earnslaw in the North. From Glenorchy you can travel on to the Rees Valley, Paradise and the Dart Valley, Kinloch township, Routeburn Valley and Greenstone/Caples Valleys which boarder both Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks.

It is a small town and is home to about 200 residents. It is a welcoming and vibrant town offering a range of accommodation options, cafes, restaurants, bars, shopping, activities, hiking, fishing and a lot more. In fact it’s more than likely you have some of Glenorchy even though you did not know what you were looking at.

The local scenery received worldwide attention when it was used as one of the settings in the first of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films. The scene where Boromir was slain and leant near a tree, Lothlórien and Orthanc were a few that were shot in Paradise. Vertical Limit and X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian were also filmed in the area.

You might ask yourself what I can do in Glenorchy. Well there is a lot of your into the outdoors and keen to get out there.

One of the highlights each year is the infamous Glenorchy Race Day. Glenorchy Race Day is a real southern kiwi experience and one of the premier events on Glenorchy’s social calendar. It has been organised by the Glenorchy Rugby Club for over 40 years and the event is held on the first Saturday after New Year. Races include: Walk Trot Gallop; Trotting Cup; Relay Race; Stockmans Race; Saddling Race; Double Banking; Ladies Gallop; Open Gallop; Locals Gallop; Quarter Mile Sprint.

Although anyone with a horse can register (only rule is that you wear a helmet), this is not riding for the faint hearted or inexperienced. Many of the Glenorchy horse trekking staff and local stockmen/women are keen to take the Race Cups home and as such the competition is high. It is not a televised race meet and betting is confined to the course and is not of the high stakes variety.

Or if you are so inclined you could take advantage of the lake and rivers nearby and go on a bit of a safari. Departing from either Queenstown of Glenorchy the Dart River Jet ‘Wilderness Safari’ is a combination trip exploring the spectacular wilderness within Mt Aspiring National Park through a combination of exhilarating wilderness jet boating, informative guided ancient forest walk and back-country four wheel driving.  The guides will tell you all about the area including the history, the geography and stories about the native plants and animals. Just a note if you choose to depart from Queenstown then you had better set aside a whole day so you are not rushing as it will take 5 hours all up but well worth it if you want to see Paradise.

And finally what trip to the Southern Alps would be complete without taking in some of the awesome skiing and snowboarding that is on offer at the many ski fields in the region. Ah there is that small matter of the big ski fields like Cardrona, Remarkables and Coronet Peak for example being absolutely chocker full of people and generally being irritating for the more skilfully inclined. Solution, find a private ski field like Invincible Snowfield.

Invincible Snowfield is a privately owned mountain recreation area within the Rees Valley offering some of the best backcountry skiing and riding in New Zealand.

Designed for small groups of adventurous snow seekers this field is accessed only by helicopter and equipped with a 700m long nutcracker rope tow, giving you 300m of vertical lift every run.

Invincible has a snug alpine hut which sleeps up to ten people on a mezzanine floor in sleeping bags. The hut is heated by a roaring potbelly and has gas cooking. Use of the hut is exclusive to the group that books it and it is available as a venue in its own right for anyone who would like the experience of winter alpine conditions amongst frozen peaks. A warning though Invincible is not for the inexperienced skier or the fainthearted. But if you are up to the challenge then get a group of friends together and get ready for a back country adventure.

Getting to Glenorchy is easy. Glenorchy is 40km from Queenstown and is an easy drive on a tar sealed road. Early morning or early evening are the best times to drive as the sun catches the mountains and lake and gives the place a beautiful light. It does get tight in places so patience is the key if you get stuck behind a campervan or truck. There are also places to pull over to take pictures safely.

Regular Shuttle services operate from Queenstown that can take you to Glenorchy. Buckley Transport can pick you up from anywhere in the Queenstown CBD and can take you to and from Glenorchy for $20 per adult.

You can cycle from Queenstown to Glenorchy but the constant up and down of the road could prove to be a bit of a killer if you are not prepared.

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