Glenorchy Scenic Tour

Meet your guide in central Queenstown and set off on a half-day journey towards Glenorchy. The tour starts simply, but the scenery arrives quickly, and with a small group on board the day feels easy and personal from the beginning.

The drive along Lake Wakatipu is one of the highlights of the tour. Following the lake edge north, the road opens to mountain views, changing light, and a series of well-chosen photo stops along the way. Your guide shares local stories and legends that bring this stretch of road to life.

Once in Glenorchy, you will have time to explore the township and its lakefront setting. Home to around 400 permanent residents, Glenorchy has a quiet, local feel, with the red boat shed and surrounding mountain backdrop giving it a character that is easy to remember. It also serves as the gateway to Paradise Valley and Mt Aspiring National Park.

Beyond Glenorchy, the road turns to gravel and continues into Paradise. This part of the tour passes farmland, native beech forest, and braided riverbeds, with the landscape becoming broader and more remote as you go. It is also where many well-known filming locations can be found, including scenes associated with The Lord of the Rings, with costumes and props available for a fun photo opportunity on tour.

Partway through the tour, your guide prepares a Kiwi morning or afternoon tea in a scenic outdoor setting. It is a simple but memorable part of the experience, with local favourites such as cheese rolls, ginger slice, L&P, and Whittaker’s chocolate adding a warm South Island touch to the day.

After Paradise, the tour returns through Glenorchy before heading back along the lake to Queenstown. It is a relaxed finish to the day, with more time to take in the scenery on the way back and a stronger sense of just how much beauty sits so close to town. For those wanting more, the morning Glenorchy tour can also be combined with the Dart River Jet Boat experience for a full day in the region.

The Glenorchy Tour operates in all weather conditions, wet days can set the scene for moody, misty Lord of the Rings (LOTR) style movie locations. 

We pick up and drop off from the Station Information Centre, Cnr Camp and Shotover Streets. Which is right downtown Queenstown – very central.

Although we have never seen Frodo, we have had a number of people on tour that attest to seeing Frodo in and around the Glenorchy pub. Keep your eyes out and if you can please snap a photo.

The minimum numbers we need to confirm a tour is 3, the maximum we will take is 16 people in one vehicle.

There is no minimum age for the tour, yes it is a family-friendly tour great for people of all ages.

You need to bring a good attitude and fun adventurous spirit. We will be exploring some of the most beautiful scenery. Comfortable shoes and a couple of top layers is advised. If the day looks like it would rain, a rain coat would be a good idea. We have umbrellas on board. 

To drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy takes 45 minutes, however on our Altitude Glenorchy Tour it will be over an hour as we stop at key locations so you can take in the ultimate views and learn about the area – it’s a fascinating part of New Zealand and well worth being guided.

Yes we have a few optional short walks throughout the tour. These are very easy on flat land and no longer than 1km each. 

Yes, you can dress in Lord of the Rings costumes on tour, we have a few locations which will make your look like you are in the movie. We carry costumes and props on tour.

Your guide will set up a New Zealand (Kiwi) inspired morning tea in a picturesque outdoor location. You will be able to taste local delicacies such as cheese rolls, kiwi-fruit, L&P, tea, coffee and Whittakers chocolate.

We do not have any facilities to lift you into our vans, please get in touch to discuss your requirements, we will do our best to accommodate you.