The beautiful Glenorchy Wharf, New Zealand: Your full guide

Look no further for things to do in Glenorchy New Zealand, of which my favourite, picturesque sight is Glenorchy Wharf and the iconic red Glenorchy shed! You absolutely cannot miss it!

In Glenorchy, New Zealand, a place of extraordinary charm, I’ve wandered and of course photographed, discovering a compilation of the finest outdoor activities.

Glenorchy is a small, charming village down the road from Queenstown and well worth a visit if you have a spare day. It has some of the most picturesque viewpoints of the mountains and Lake Wakatipu.

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Table of Contents

Quick Mini Guide To glenorchy

Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to Glenorchy.

Where to stay

The Headwaters Eco Lodge (pictured below)
Kinloch Wilderness retreat
GY Boutique Hotel

How to get there

What to see

Iconic Wharf, the red cabin and don’t miss the quaint cafes.

Stay connected

Purchase an eSim with Airalo on your phone – Use discount code A&M3 for $3 off your first purchase.

Glenorchy town, with its quaint charm, where serene Lake Wakatipu mirrors the Southern Alps’ grandeur, to the wilderness’s adrenaline-fun activities, radiates an unparalelled beauty. Each adventure, be it the tranquil kayaking on Dart River or the crazy skydives, and the rugged trails of Routeburn Track, will add to one of the epic chapters of your New Zealand adventures.

I’m currently touring New Zealand from top to bottom (actually, from bottom up!), visiting the best places and making recommendations so you know the iconic, scenic spots and of course, Glenorchy Wharf is one of them!

Read my other Aotearoa North Island and South Island travel articles on New Zealand! Some guides for nearby locations you might be interested in:

Best activities in Glenorchy

Jet Boat & Wilderness experience – If you’re after an adrenaline experience then this is for you!
Milford Sound Cruises – The best way to see the unofficial 8th wonder of the world.
Glenorchy & Paradise half day tour – if you’re after some beautiful sight seeing this is for you!
Scenic Flights – One of the most iconic experiences in all of South Island, New Zealand.
Dinner & Cruise on High County Farm – for an authentic Kiwi experience.

Is Glenorchy worth visiting?

Yes, yes, yes! Glenorchy is a quaint and sleepy town west of Queenstown that has some of the most charming views of lakes and mountains that you will want to visit.

Don’t expect the hustle and bustle of the city; Glenorchy is a laid back and picturesque town with old buildings you’ll want to photograph.

Glenorchy is a destination to visit if you have a spare few hours and you fancy driving up the coast and spotting beautiful views along the way.

There also iconic spots to stop at and admire; for Lord of the Rings fans as you’ll find the Isenguard lookout along the way, as well as many other LOTR stops. Have a look at all the Lord of the Rings filming locations in New Zealand you might be passing by!

Glenorchy is particularly famous for being the backdrop of many movies, and the buildings date back to the early 1900s, and the old wooden homes, painted, deep, reds and peeling whites are exceedingly charming against a backdrop of vibrant blue water, and rising peaks of the mountains above.

I would however only recommend it if you have time; the town itself is fairly small, but the drive and scenery is beautiful, and as it is only 45 minutes away from Queenstown, it’s the perfect half day or full day road trip.

There are a bunch of Queenstown road trips you might want to check out, also make sure you don’t miss the Onsen hot tubs just 15 minutes away.

Famous Glenorchy timbered red cabin — Glenorchy NZ

What is Glenorchy famous for?

Glenorchy is famous for it’s dramatic, jagged mountains, it’s cerulean azure blue lakes, serene landscapes and old world timbered houses dating back to the early 1900s.

The famous red shed and Glenorchy Wharf is an iconic places for photos. A tonne of movies have been filmed in and around Glenorchy due to its beautiful settings.

What movies have been filmed at Glenorchy?

Glenorchy wharf, with its stunning natural landscapes, has been a popular filming location for several high-profile movies, especially those requiring dramatic and picturesque backdrops. Some of the notable movies filmed in and around Glenorchy include:

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003): The area around Glenorchy was used to depict various parts of Middle-earth in this iconic series directed by Peter Jackson. Locations such as Isengard, Lothlórien, the Misty Mountains, and Ithilien were filmed in the vicinity. Have a look at the Lord of the Rings filming locations.
The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014): Like its predecessor, The Hobbit trilogy also utilized the stunning landscapes around Glenorchy for scenes in Middle-earth.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008): The landscapes around Glenorchy were used to bring the magical world of Narnia to life in this second installment of the Narnia film series.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009): Some scenes of this superhero film were shot in the Glenorchy area, taking advantage of its rugged and unspoiled landscapes.
Vertical Limit (2000): This mountaineering thriller used the Southern Alps near Glenorchy to represent the film’s primary location, K2, the world’s second-highest mountain.

Next to Glenorchy Wharf New Zealand — Glenorchy Wharf NZ

Where to stay: Glenorchy Accomodation

Glenorchy hotels are the cutest and the quaintest. New Zealand on multiple occasions and have experienced various accommodations, here are my top picks.

Queenstown is conveniently close to Glenorchy Wharf, making it a viable option for your stay as well.

However, Glenorchy itself offers a more intimate and scenic setting, though Queenstown provides a wider array of choices.

It’s crucial to note that accommodations tend to fill up quickly. To secure your preferred spot, it’s wise to book as early as possible!

Some of the best hotels listed below:

The Headwaters Eco Lodge (pictured below)
Kinloch Wilderness retreat
GY Boutique Hotel

The Headwaters Eco Lodge Glenorchy New Zealand — The Headwaters Eco Lodge

Things to do in Glenorchy South Island, New Zealand

Have a look at the below things to do Glenorchy NZ, you wont regret a little trip here! I always compare tours on Viator and Get your Guide, have a look at some of the best Glenorchy Wharf tours here.

Glenorchy Wharf

The Glenorchy wharf is also fairly spectacular with lots of visitors driving in to view the wharf and take pictures with the vibrant shimmering lake as a backdrop.

Glenorchy is also known to have purple lupin flowers growing along the banks of the shore so if you happen to visit between November and mid-January, you might be lucky enough to spot them.

Although the location of where they bloom can change every year as these are wildflowers and the grow where the wind blows, so bear that in mind!

The famous red timbered Glenorchy Cabin

Don’t forget to take a picture by the famous red timbered Glenorchy cabin, right next to Glenorchy wharf.

It’s iconic of the traditional homes in colonial times and definitely text you back, giving you that old world feeling.

This is honestly a picture moment. It is situated just in front of the Glenorchy Wharf, walk around the corner and you’ll see it!

Glenorchy Cafes

There are some very quaint cafés with a delectable selection of pastries and home-made cakes that you want to try which are just 2-3 minutes walk from Glenorchy Wharf.

My favourite was the cinnamon buns, and carrot cakes and is a great place to park your car / tour and walk from Glenorchy Wharf to the cafes.

There are also some really lovely souvenir shops and general shops that sell traditional Kiwi green jade and you can learn about the history of the tribes that fought for the right to own and produce Jade goods.

They’re also a ton of leather wool and other animal products and traditional Kiwi souvenirs that aren’t junk so it’s well worth a visit even if you just wanna have a look around.

They also sell a number of different items of Kiwi artwork which is pretty spectacular so stop. I have a coffee and browse to your hearts delight.

Glenorchy Map

Glenorchy Wharf is a small spot located in the South Island of New Zealand. It’s situated at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, approximately 45 kilometres (about a 45-minute drive) northwest of Queenstown and the views along the way are pretty spectacular.

It sits amongst the Southern Alps, Glenorchy is known for being the perfect movie backdrop; for its stunning natural scenery, including breathtaking mountain ranges and pristine stunningly azure blue lakes that shine like diamonds in the sun.

Glenorchy Map & Location

Tours to Glenorchy

It’s worth going on a guided tour to Glenorchy Wharf to learn more about the incredible history, architecture, stories and movie trivia. You’ll love it! Have a look at some of the below tours!

How to get to Glenorchy, New Zealand?

There aren’t a lot of options for public transport to Glenorchy Wharf, so you’ll either need to drive yourself using a car hire, or opt for a private tour.

If you are staying at a hotel in Glenorchy, they may be able to organise transport for you.

Queenstown to Glenorchy Wharf

Glenorchy to Queenstown is only around a 45 minute drive, but we stopped every 10 minutes to admire the views from the roadside stops, it’s worth it!

Is there a Queenstown to Glenorchy Bus?

There is no public bus that runs from Queenstown to Glenorchy. You’re either going to have to hire a car, or get going with a tour! There are some great half day tours on Viator and Get your Guide.

Have a look at the tour below for inspo:

Glenorchy & Paradise half day tour – perfect if you’re after some beautiful sight seeing!

When to visit Glenorchy Wharf?

Any time’s a good time to visit Glenorchy, Wharf but there’s something extra special in summer when the days are long and warm, the sun sets around 9-10pm and the lake dazzles like diamonds in the sunlight.

Glenorchy is fairly quiet year round, there are definitely visitors during the day but it’s a somewhat small town, with chilled, laid back vibes.

Think cosy cafes and quaint brunch spots.

Glenorchy Weather year round

Glenorchy New Zealand, experiences a variety of weather conditions throughout the year, influenced by its location near the southern end of the South Island.

Below is a general guide to the weather in Glenorchy for each month, including average temperature, rainy days, daylight hours, and average sunrise and sunset times.

Glenorchy Weather in January

Average temperature: 15°C (59°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 15
Average sunrise time: 6:15 AM
Average sunset time: 9:30 PM

Glenorchy Weather in February

Average temperature: 14°C (57°F)
Average rainy days: 7
Average daylight hours: 14
Average sunrise time: 6:45 AM
Average sunset time: 9:00 PM

Glenorchy Weather in March

Average temperature: 12°C (54°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 12
Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
Average sunset time: 8:15 PM

Glenorchy Weather in April

Average temperature: 9°C (48°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 11
Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:45 PM

Glenorchy Weather in May

Average temperature: 6°C (43°F)
Average rainy days: 10
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:15 AM
Average sunset time: 5:30 PM

Glenorchy Weather in June

Average temperature: 4°C (39°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:30 AM
Average sunset time: 5:15 PM

Glenorchy Weather in July

Average temperature: 3°C (37°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 9
Average sunrise time: 8:30 AM
Average sunset time: 5:30 PM

Glenorchy Weather in August

Average temperature: 5°C (41°F)
Average rainy days: 11
Average daylight hours: 10
Average sunrise time: 7:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:00 PM

Glenorchy Weather in September

Average temperature: 7°C (45°F)
Average rainy days: 10
Average daylight hours: 12
Average sunrise time: 6:45 AM
Average sunset time: 6:30 PM

Glenorchy Weather in October

Average temperature: 9°C (48°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 13
Average sunrise time: 7:15 AM
Average sunset time: 7:45 PM

Glenorchy Weather in November

Average temperature: 11°C (52°F)
Average rainy days: 8
Average daylight hours: 14
Average sunrise time: 6:00 AM
Average sunset time: 8:30 PM

Glenorchy Weather in December

Average temperature: 13°C (55°F)
Average rainy days: 9
Average daylight hours: 15
Average sunrise time: 5:45 AM
Average sunset time: 9:15 PM

That’s it! I hope this visit to Glenorchy Wharf has been everything you dreamed it would be!

Quick links

Here’s everything I use when I travel abroad:
Tours – Compare tour prices on Viator and Get Your Guide
Hotels – I always use Booking as the more hotels I book, I get a higher Genius discount. I also compare prices on Expedia.
E-Sims – purchase an e-sim with Airalo on your phone so you can make calls and have mobile data abroad! There’s no need to remove your current sim card!
Travel insurance – don’t ever go on vacation without travel insurance, you never know when you might need it!
Travel essentials – have a look at a full list of travel essentials that I use, including the best power bank!

Read my other Aotearoa North Island and South Island New Zealand travel guides!