A tiny, peaceful town at the head of Lake Wakatipu, Glenorchy is all about wild landscapes, epic mountain views, and easy access to some of New Zealand’s best hikes. The 45-minute drive from Queenstown alone is worth the trip — it’s often called one of the most scenic roads in the country.
The town itself is very very small. We had breakfast and took in the views.
The Road to Paradise is the rustic backcountry road that continues past Glenorchy into the beautiful Paradise Valley — and despite the name, it truly feels like you’re driving into another world. This is one of the most scenic short drives in New Zealand and a favorite for photographers and movie fans. There are several stops along the way where movies were filmed. We did see some people dressed up and re-enacting scenes from the Lord of the Rings.
