The idyllic settlement of Glenorchy is always a delightful place to visit. A small town set amidst spectacular surroundings bordering Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand’s South Island, Glenorchy is easily accessible from the closest major town, Queenstown.
Glenorchy is truly a paradise for lovers of the outdoors, offering an array of delights and recreational opportunities. It is located amongst some of the most beautiful and evocative landscapes in this picturesque nation, framed by a backdrop so alluring that it seems unreal. Soaring mountains and pristine beech forests surround this settlement which has acquired a strong reputation as a visitor attraction.
The breathtaking environs of the Dart River and Lake Wakatipu provide sensational opportunities for kayaking and jet boating. This area will also delight the avid hiker, as you will find some of the finest hiking routes in the entirety of New Zealand here.
For hiking and trekking few locations in the world can compare with this picturesque region of New Zealand. Some of the acclaimed Great Walks of the nation may be found here. The captivating Routeburn Track will normally take three to four days to complete taking the visitor across scenic pathways framed by picture perfect lakes and majestic mountains. More extensive is the Rees and Dart path which can usually be completed in four or five days.
Another interesting option is the Greenstone/Caples route. On these treks hikers may make arrangements to rest in a number of huts offering basic facilities. However if you would prefer to undertake a less demanding excursion there is the option of selecting a shorter walk, such as a twenty minute stroll or a single day’s adventure.
The picturesque landscape surrounding Glenorchy has been featured in a number of well-known Hollywood films, including a number of scenes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Parts of the Chronicles of Narnia have also been filmed here. Many of these filming locations are accessible to visitors by foot or via jet boat. With so many attractions on offer no visitor will leave Glenorchy disappointed.
Travellers visiting the area seeking Queenstown hotel accommodation will be able to find an attractive choice in the Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront. This wonderful Queenstown resort offers convenient accommodation with an array of modern amenities.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.