Queenstown
- Glenorchy
46 km (29 miles)
Approximately 0.75 hour
Road Conditions: Arterial
The alpine resort of Queenstown is exciting, sophisticated and fantastically photogenic. It’s the place to source almost any kind of adventure, including bungy, jet boating, horse trekking, rafting and river surfing. It’s also a destination for luxury experiences – gourmet food and wine, spa treatments and leisurely games of golf.
You’ll be at the edge of Lake Wakatipu all the way to Glenorchy, so this drive is scenic to the extreme There are many picnic spots, and in summer you could stop for a swim. Between April and June, the autumn colours are dazzling.
Glenorchy sits at the head of the lake. It’s a picturesque little village with a museum, a golf course and a good selection of accommodation and eating places. Glenorchy is often used as a starting point for the Routeburn Track. There are many other walking and tramping opportunities in the area, including the Rees and Dart River valleys. For a shot of adrenaline, try jet boating or kayaking on the Dart River.
Scenic Highlights
Sam Summers' Hut Track
Exercise your mind as well as your legs on this three hour loop track. There's a lot to be learned about gold mining here.
Skippers Road
High above the raging Shotover River, Skippers Road creeps along the face of Skippers Canyon. Don't look down!
Scenery of Glenorchy
The only thing better than the drive to Glenorchy is the road to Paradise. How much scenery can your camera cope with?
Gibbston Valley vineyards
Raising grapes this far south is hard work, but one sip of the local pinot noir will tell you the effort is totally worthwhile.
Lake Wakatipu
Cruising across Lake Wakatipu on a restored paddlesteamer is a blissful way to appreciate the magnificent alpine scenery.
Moonlight Track
It's not a walk in the park, but this challenging day hike promises to lift your spirits as high as the Southern Alps.
Rees and Dart Track
Hike along two magnificent river valleys enclosed by towering mountains. A glacier side trip adds to the adventure.
Activities
Queenstown
Heritage Attractions (6),
Jet Boating (5),
Off Road Driving Adventure (16),
Rafting (7)
|
Print Driving Route
