Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AROUND QUEENSTOWN
TOP OF CHAPTER
Glenorchy & Around
POP 360
Set in achingly beautiful surroundings, postage-stamp-sized Glenorchy is the perfect low-
key antidote to Queenstown. An expanding range of adventure operators will get you active
on the lake and in nearby mountain valleys by kayak, horse or jetboat, and if you prefer to
strike out on two legs, the mountainous region at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu is the
setting for some of the South Island's finest tramps.
Those with sturdy wheels can explore the superb valleys north of Glenorchy.
Paradise
lies
15km northwest of town, just before the start of the Dart Track (
Click here
)
. Keep your ex-
pectations low: Paradise is just a paddock, but the gravel road there runs through beautiful
farmland fringed by majestic mountains. You might recognise it from
The Lord of the
Rings (LOTR)
movies as the approach to both Isengard and Lothlorien.
Activities
Almost all organised activities offer shuttles to and from Queenstown for a small surcharge.
Other activities on offer include farm tours, fly-fishing, guided photography tours and
cookery classes; enquire at the Queenstown i-SITE (
Click here
)
.
Tramping
DOC's
Head of Lake Wakatipu
and
Wakatipu Walks
brochures (both $5) detail day walks
taking in the Routeburn Valley, Lake Sylvan, Dart River and Lake Rere. Two of the best
short tracks are the
Routeburn Nature Walk
(one hour), at the start of the Routeburn Track, and
the
Lake Sylvan tramp
(one hour 40 minutes).
Before setting out on any of the longer tramps, call into DOC in Queenstown (
Click
here
)
or
Te Anau
( 03-249 7924;
www.doc.govt.nz
; cnr Lakefront Dr & Te Anau-Manapouri Rd;
8.30am-4.30pm, to 6pm 9 Dec-16 Mar)
for the latest track conditions and to purchase detailed maps.
Another good resource is Lonely Planet's
Tramping in New Zealand
.
