"GLENORCHY" Top 5 Page for this destination Glenorchy by kiwi

Glenorchy Travel Guide: 51 reviews and 107 photos

Looking uplake to Glenorchy. - Glenorchy

Glenorchy mystique

The mountains are gorgeous, no matter what the weather. Glenorchy is away from the rat race and a very special place. Maoris of course were here first, but the first European settlers arrived in 1862 and begun setting up farms on the river flats. There was a brief period shortly later when the population blossomed to over 3000 with the gold rush. This was shortlived because of the poor yields and Glenorchy returned to it's tiny community. I guess you could say that it's next population boom, also very short lived, was the production team and actors of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy movies by kiwi director Peter Jackson.
Some of the names you may recognise from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, that were located in this area are:

The Misty Mountains.
Isengard.
Amon Hen.
Lothl?rien.
The Wizard's Vale.
Glenorchy is the main entry point to the Mt Aspiring National Park, and you will find a DOC (Dept of Conservation) Information office here with information on the walks and the park. Just remember the weather can change with very little notice down here and what seems like a "walk in the park" is more a "climb in the mountains" so make sure you are well prepared with equipment and clothing and food of course! ELB's are almost a must down here.

Some of the activities for you to do here are walking, jetboating, horse-riding and photography.

The Wharf.

Glenorchy wharf

There is a wharf at Glenorchy, down on the lakefront. If you don't fancy the drive up the lakeside to Glenorchy why not catch the steamer ferry Earnslaw in Queenstown and steam up the lake at a relaxing pace.

The long and winding road.

Road to Glenorchy

For years this notorious stretch of road was still loose gravel, however it has now been 'sealed' and is much easier to drive.
I didn't see streams of cars, and although the traffic has increased, I doubt it is intolerable just yet.
There are one or two lodges up this road, that attract people wanting to get to remote corners.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Miles away from the rest of the world.
Cons:Can be cold and wet an inhospitable.
In a nutshell:True Lord of the Rings country.

Last visit to Glenorchy: Mar 2007
Intro Updated Jun 26, 2008
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Reviews (11)

Earnslaw steams it's way up the lake. - Glenorchy

Steamer Earnslaw to Glenorchy. Transportation (1)

For something a little different, you can catch the old steamship Earnslaw and sail up the lake to Glenorchy. It leaves... more travel advice

Remote WWI memorial Off The Beaten Path (1)

Even faraway locations such as Glenorchy have their past to remember. Here they remember the men who lost their lives... more travel advice

Heading into the Rees River Valley - Glenorchy

Further up the valley. Favorites (7)

You can go even further north than Glenorchy and find some of the locations where Lord of the Rings was filmed. Any... more travel advice

Nestled under the mountains. Favorites (7)

It's a really small town, Glenorchy. Nestled under the mountains and shrouded in cloud, often raining. Often there are... more travel advice

Shopping (1)
Yes please buy fur in NZ to help us.

Restaurants (1)
Don't miss stopping here!!

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (23)

MikeBird Nov 7, 2008 at 2:24 PM Report Abuse

Are there Lord of the Rings location tours? I think they'd be really popular. Mike
deecat Sep 1, 2007 at 5:04 PM Report Abuse

I agree that the cloudy day pictures are amazing. What a beautiful part of the world. Enjoyed the information on the fur.
northeast80 Feb 8, 2007 at 2:08 PM Report Abuse

Amazing photos. I spent 5 months living off the road to Glenorchy, but closer to Queenstown, never got to Glenorchy :-( it looks stunning.
vtveen Oct 26, 2006 at 12:52 PM Report Abuse

Adding (and googling) a Glen Orchy tip on my new Scotland page, I found your Glenorchy page with nice pics and tips (for a next visit). By the way quite a difference from the Scottish one.
iandsmith Oct 22, 2006 at 1:05 PM Report Abuse

Totally agree with you about the road, it can be amazing, as clearly shown in your opening shot.
Bwana_Brown Jun 12, 2005 at 12:35 PM Report Abuse

Definitely a beautiful and isolated part of the world! Your photos are amazing! I read 'Lord of the Rings' many years ago - one of my all-time favourites.
andrewwhite Mar 26, 2005 at 1:44 AM Report Abuse

The NZ Glenorchy lost it's population just like the original place in Scotland 200 years ago - they probably all went to NZ. Try www.loch-awe.com/history/glenorchy & see what I mean. Some day I'll get across there & see your amazing country. Great pages.
Maillekeul Feb 3, 2005 at 11:47 PM Report Abuse

Splendid pics, Pam... Hope to see the landscapes for real, as I will probably go to NZ at the end of the year !!! Cheers
Hmmmm Feb 1, 2005 at 3:09 AM Report Abuse

This brings back memories. Esp the Grass roof, and the lake front. The first time I went there I went by push bike from Cromwell.... That was a hard day... Its makes me proud to be a kiwi when I see shots like yours Pam. Cheers A
tpal Jan 30, 2005 at 6:03 PM Report Abuse

Here the war memorial respected but "Off the Beaten Track"...maybe it's a New Zealand thing but I like it. What a fabulous region. The movie makers had it easy...Tom