12 BEST Stops on the Drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy

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Are you driving the scenic route from Queenstown to Glenorchy but want to know the best points to stop off along the way? I’m always up for turning a drive into a road trip, so I’ve got you covered!

As a local to Queenstown, I drive the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road a lot, and over the years I’ve found stopped off at pretty much every point along the way. Some spots are so easy to miss, and I think that’s such a shame.

To help you plan your trip to Glenorchy, this blog includes the 12 best places to stop along the way in order from closest to Queenstown to furthest. The best part about this list is, you can visit all of them in a day! Of course, if you want to hike all of the trails, then you will need a little more time!

About the Drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy

Glenorchy-Queenstown Road is a 46-kilometer (29-mile) highway that follows the edge of Lake Wakatipu until it reaches the small town of Glenorchy.

It takes around 45 minutes to complete the drive without stopping if you’ve done it before. Because I know the road well, it’s easy to drive within the speed limit. However, for visitors who don’t know the highway’s sharp turns and narrow parts, it will take a little longer. That shouldn’t be a problem because you’re on holiday and you’ll likely be stopping lots along the way.

Unfortunately, there is no public bus from Queenstown to Glenorchy, only organized tours which I talk about below. So, the best way to explore is to rent a car in Queenstown (I always use Discover Cars for the best deal) and go. Make sure to check out all my tips on renting a car in New Zealand before you do!

If you choose to do all of the stops on this list and maybe hike one trail, then you’ll need around 3 to 4 hours. If you plan to leave Queenstown early in the morning then you’ll still have plenty of time to enjoy some of the best things to do in Glenorchy.

Need wheels? For rental cars, I always book with Discover Cars since the website is so easy to use with great prices. For motorhomes and campervans, I really like JUCY/Star RV because of their huge selection and multiple depot locations that make pick-up and drop-off a breeze. Plus, if you use my exclusive discount code DTRAVEL25, you’ll save 5%! You can browse JUCY and Star RV’s availability here and apply the discount code at check-out.

Queenstown to Glenorchy FAQs

12 BEST Stops on the Scenic Drive to Glenorchy

1. Sunshine Bay

Sunshine Bay is the first place to stop on the road between Queenstown and Glenorchy. The small secluded beach is really popular among locals who come to avoid the crowds of Queenstown Beach. As the name suggests, you can come here to enjoy the sunshine! Of course, the water is freezing but if it’s hot enough outside you’ll be tempted to jump in! Personally though, I just tan on the beach!

There are two ways to access Sunshine Bay with the first being the Sunshine Bay parking lot. From the parking lot, you are only seconds from the beautiful beach, and on a road trip to Glenorchy, this is likely what you’ll do. The other way involves hiking the Sunshine Bay Track. This 2-kilometer (1.2 miles) trail is one of the best easy hikes in the area and it starts just past the traffic circle (roundabout) on Lake Esplanade Road.

2. Little Thailand Rock Jump

This next stop is a quick one, but one I only really recommend it if you don’t stop at Sunshine Bay or Seven Mile Point (which is next on our list). As you drive past Sunshine Bay look to your left for a small gravel pullover bay. Here, you can park up for views of Lake Wakatipu and it’s also the location of a cliff jump in Queenstown.

In all honestly, this stop is one you can easily skip. For one, the pullover bay is dangerous (especially with the windy roads,) not to mention there is a better, and safer, viewpoint just up the road at Seven Mile Point. But, if you’re trying to minimize your time this is a quick stop with beautiful views, which Queenstown isn’t short of!

3. Seven Mile Point Track Parking Lot

Next up is one of my favorite viewpoints and hikes along the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road. Seven Mile Point is, you guessed it, around 7 miles (11 kilometers) from Queenstown. Located on your left, this small parking lot is actually the trailhead of the Seven Mile Point Track.

This short but beautiful hiking trail passes Seven Mile Point (that’s why the parking lot isn’t exactly 7 miles from Queenstown) before finishing in Wilson Bay – another stop on this list. It takes around 1 to 1.5 hours to walk the trail at a slow pace.

Even if you don’t plan on hiking the trail, this is a great place to stop to enjoy views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.

Related Read: If you’re looking for more epic places to visit from Queenstown, check out my guide of the 8 Absolute Best Day Trips from Queenstown!

4. Moke Lake

Moke Lake is my all-time favorite place to stop between Queenstown and Glenorchy. Not only are there lots of awesome things to do at Moke Lake, but the lake and surrounding landscapes are stunning!

To reach Moke Lake you’ll need to turn right onto Moke Lake Road right at the 7 Mile Point parking lot. From there, it’s a 15-minute drive to the lake with part of that being on a gravel road. Once there, you can simply enjoy the views, and hike the Moke Lake loop or Moke Lake Viewpoint Trail. On top of that, you can go fishing, kayaking, and even spend the night at the DOC campsite!

If you want to make a day of visiting Moke Lake (which I highly suggest you do), you can book a kayak tour from Queenstown. This tour is so fun because it gets you onto the water for even more incredible views.

While seeing Moke Lake from the shore is gorgeous, it’s even more so from the middle of the lake! There’s nothing quite better than a beautiful day on the lake, so you can check out the details and book this tour here!

For more, be sure to read my complete guide to visiting Moke Lake. It includes all the best things to do and tips for visiting!

5. Wilson Bay

If you decided not to hike the Seven Mile Point Track the good news is you can still visit Wilson Bay. As you drive past Moke Lake Road continue for a few kilometers before you see Wilson Bay on your left. The bay is huge and there is a large parking lot right on the edge of the lake.

I love stopping at Wilson Bay to skip some rocks, watch the ducks, and even get some great snaps. This is one of the best things to do in Queenstown in December, which is the start of summer so the weather is perfect! Stopping here doesn’t take long, but is a must on any Queenstown to Glenorchy road trip.

6. Lake Dispute Walkway

Starting near Wilson Bay on the other side of the highway is the Lake Dispute Walkway. To reach the lake it only takes about 45 minutes of walking each way, but you can also link the Lake Dispute Walkway with the Mt Crichton loop (which I mention below).

This trail is considered easy and doesn’t have much elevation gain, and it can be a good mountain biking spot! I’ve personally not yet hiked the Lake Dispute Walkway but plan to one day.

It’s best to park at Wilson Bay and walk to the trailhead along the road. This is because there is no parking lot at the actual trailhead and people often park on the side of the road, which is very dangerous.

7. Twelve Mile Delta Campground

Only a few minutes up the road from Wilson Bay is Twelve Mile Delta Campground. Located on the edge of the lake, this is a gorgeous place to explore, even just for a few minutes. If you drive down and keep left towards the boat launch area, you can park up and look back at Queenstown enjoying spectacular views of The Remarkables Mountain Range.  

Another interesting attraction here is Ithilien Camp, which is where a famous scene from the Lord of the Rings was filmed. The scene shows Frodo and Sam with Gollum cooking a rabbit on a small fire. The fire pit was left behind (I don’t know if it’s the exact one used in the films, though) and remains today.

If you are looking for a place to camp for the night then Twelve Mile Delta Campground is a great option. It’s located close to Queenstown and camp fees are standard just DOC rates which are $15 NZD for adults and $7.50 for kids.

Related Read: If you’re looking for another cute town to explore, check out Cromwell! There are some great stops on the road from Queenstown to Cromwell, so you can have another lovely mini-road trip.

8. Mt Crichton Loop Track

The Mt Crichton Loop is a super unique hike in Queenstown. The trail, although not the most beautiful, visits a few historical attractions including an old mining tunnel (that you can safely explore) and a mining hut called Sam Summers Hut.

The hut itself was built in the 1930s, and you actually used to be able to stay there for free, I think they stopped allowing it because it’s pretty run down.

The full Mt Crichton Loop is 8 kilometers (5 miles) long and takes around 2 hours to walk. If you walk clockwise, the trail is pretty easy with a gradual climb. There is a beautiful viewpoint of Lake Wakatipu along the trail as well as a waterfall. Kids love the trail and it’s an activity suitable for the entire family.

9. Bob’s Cove

Bob’s Cove is one place every visitor doing a road trip from Queenstown to Glenorchy should visit. Not only is it absolutely stunning, but it’s also one of my favorite easy hikes!

Bob’s Cove Track is a short but rewarding hike that leads to a viewpoint over Lake Wakatipu. It’s the easiest hike with the most rewarding view in Queenstown. In fact, it only takes 30 minutes to hike the entire Bob’s Cove Lookout Track. The picture above shows the view from the top of the track at Picnic Point.

If you do choose not to do the hike, then at least stop at Bob’s Cove and take a look around. You can relax on the beach, walk around the jetty, or just take a few pictures before moving on!

10. Bennetts Bluff Lookout

For the best views of Lake Wakatipu, you need to make the short but sweet stop at Bennetts Bluff Lookout. This lookout used to be a small pullover bay, however, due to its popularity, the DOC has turned it into a large parking lot with a small walking track to the lookout.

The trail only takes a few minutes and at the viewpoint, you can stare into the distance at Glenorchy and the surrounding mountain peaks.

For me, though, it’s the views of the road and lake that make me stop here literally every time I make the trip from Queenstown to Glenorchy!

11. Little Paradise Wharf

The last stop before Glenorchy is a small freedom camping site called Little Paradise Wharf. This place is famous among photographers who come to the lake to photograph an old wooden jetty that’s completely fallen apart. Aside from that, it’s a beautiful place to visit and in the spring you’ll often find colorful lupins (flowers) growing near the lake.

You can find Little Paradise Wharf just near the Little Paradise Lodge. It’s on your left-hand side. This is another really short stop unless, of course, you choose to spend the night!

UPDATE: Unfortunately the small gravel road that was used to access this area has been closed down by the DOC. You can still visit by parking on the road but it’s not always safe so I’d recommend skipping it.

12. Glenorchy

The number one reason to drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is to explore Glenorchy. This small town is so cute and with the gorgeous surrounding landscape, you’ll never want to leave!

Of course, there are lots of amazing things to do in Glenorchy, and a few of the best include the Glenorchy Walkway, joining a tour at the Glenorchy Animal Experience, hiking the Routeburn track for the day, and the famous jet boating tour.

You can also head off a little further and explore the beautiful region of Paradise. That’s right, there is a place in New Zealand that’s actually called Paradise! Many of the best hikes in Glenorchy are located in Paradise including one of my all-time favorite South Island hikes, the Earnslaw Burn Track.

This completely free overnight hike has you camping right below the Earnslaw Glacier! You can read about this and more amazing hikes in Glenorchy here.

Queenstown to Glenorchy Tours

If you don’t have your own car and don’t want to rent one in Queenstown then you can join a huge range of organized tours from Queenstown to Glenorchy! Here are some of my favorites below.

Lord of the Rings Tour

As you probably know, Lord of the Rings was filmed right near Glenorchy, so there are ample Lord of the Rings tours. I went on this Lord of the Rings Tour and had a blast, and I’m not even the biggest LOTR fan! You get to visit three filming locations, wear a LOTR costume, and play with a sword, plus get some epic sightseeing throughout the day!

This tour departs from Queenstown, so it’s a great day trip and a fantastic Lord of the Rings experience! You can reserve this half-day tour for $189 NZD per person.

Half-Day Scenic Tour

I love this half-day tour because it takes the highlights of this blog, and combines it with the convenience of taking a tour, so it’s a win-win! Departing from Queenstown, you will get to explore all of the gorgeous scenery between Queenstown and Glenorchy. It’s led by a local guide who will take care of the driving and provide a ton of information about the history and hidden gems of the area. You will make stops at a few Lord of the Rings film locations, learn about Maori history, and have multiple scenic lookouts along the way.

This 5-hour tour can depart in the morning or afternoon, and can be booked in advance for $179 NZD per person!

Highlights of Glenorchy Tour

This tour focuses on exploring Glenorchy itself! I love Glenorchy because it has that small-town charm, so spending a few hours exploring it will be a nice break from the lively Queenstown atmosphere. This tour includes one of my favorite Glenorchy activities, the Glenorchy Animal Experience where you can get up close with some adorable farm animals! It also makes stops at LOTR film locations, old historic buildings, like the Glenorchy Wharf Shed, and Paradise.

This 4-hour Glenorchy tour departs at 8 am or 1 pm. It can be reserved in advance for $194 NZD per person.

Essential Things to Know Before You Go

• Driving in the winter or during heavy rain is dangerous on Glenorchy-Queenstown Road. Heavy rain can cause landslides so be sure to check the weather and only travel when safe to do so.

• There is a fuel station in Glenorchy, however, it is pricey. To save money, fill up in Queenstown beforehand.

• There are a few cafes and restaurants in Glenorchy, so if you don’t bring food, don’t worry. A favorite of mine is The Trading Post Café.

Where to Stay in Glenorchy

Glenorchy is a beautiful place to spend a night or two. Honestly, the atmosphere is so peaceful and nothing like Queenstown. It’s the perfect place to take a break and unwind! That said, the majority of hotels in Glenorchy are for mid-range budgets and above, as there aren’t many super budget-friendly places to stay here (I’d recommend staying in Queenstown for more options on a budget).

The best places to stay in Glenorchy are:

Kinloch Wilderness Retreat – $/$$

The Kinloch Retreat is a fantastic mid-range hotel located a short drive out of Glenorchy in an even quieter location on the other side of Lake Wakatipu. It’s also the most budget-friendly of the options available, with dorm rooms available all the way up to cozy six-bedroom houses.

Next to Kinloch Retreat is a DOC-owned (but operated by the retreat) campground with non-powered sites for $15 NZD per person per night. Of course, if you want something a little more luxurious, stay at the retreat and enjoy access to the kitchen lounge, as well as an on-site restaurant.

A bed in a dorm here at the Kinloch Retreat starts from $65 NZD per night, while you can enjoy a one-night stay in a twin room from $170 NZD per night. With just 19 rooms available, make sure to check availability early and book your stay here to avoid missing out.

The Headwaters Eco Lodge – $$$

This place has it all! The Headwaters Eco Lodge is a holiday park and offers luxury accommodation with stellar views. Not only are breakfast and a 3-course dinner included daily, but as their name suggests, the hotel focuses on being environmentally conscious, which I love. All rooms also enjoy free Wi-Fi, heated floors, and you get free parking with your room.

A one-night stay here at The Headwaters Eco Lodge starts at $790 NZD, and you can check availability and reserve your room online here.

Ecoscapes – $$$

EcoScapes is a luxury hotel with the most amazing views. Each room has a large glass wall, so you don’t miss a single sunset or sunrise if you don’t want to. Family-owned, all room reservations also include a fantastic breakfast, and their cooked meals are highly rated.

With some of the friendliest and helpful staff you could ask for, I’d recommend staying at EcoScapes if you’re looking for plenty of luxury with some of the best views you could ask for.

Rooms here aren’t cheap, starting from $595 NZD per night, but if you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply want to enjoy a seamless stay with extra luxury, it’s one of the best. You can check availability and book online here on Booking.com.

Renting a Car, Campervan, or Motorhome in New Zealand

Let’s face it, you’re going to need wheels to get around New Zealand. Although a small country, buses between destinations are infrequent and expensive. Plus, some of the best experiences you can have in NZ are on road trips!

You have three options when it comes to getting wheels in New Zealand; a car, a campervan, or a motorhome. Here’s what you need to know about each and where to get them:

• Car – A normal car is the cheapest rental vehicle you can get in New Zealand. It’ll get you around to all of the best destinations with ease. The only downside to a car is that you will need to stay in hotels or Airbnbs during your travels (no camping.) The easiest place to rent a car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare cars, companies, prices, features, and more very easily.

• Campervan – A Campervan is a large van that has a bed and a small kitchen in the back. It’s what most budget travelers use for traveling around New Zealand since it allows you to camp comfortably and for free (most) nights. Campervans are best for couples or solo travelers who are happy to live in a small space. You should also love the outdoors and camping…and be prepared for an adventure of a lifetime! My favorite campervan rental company is JUCY because they have a huge selection of campervans to choose from, plus multiple pick-up/drop-off locations. You can browse JUCY’s campervan selection online here. Alternatively, you can easily compare all campervans available in NZ on Motorhome Republic here.

• Motorhome – A motorhome is larger and more comfortable than a campervan. Many motorhomes will comfortably sleep 6 or more people – perfect for a family visiting New Zealand. Motorhomes are the most expensive option, but with one you won’t ever need to stay in a hotel and you’ll save money that way. My top choice for a motorhome company is Star RV because they have beautiful motorhomes at affordable prices. You can check prices and availability for Star RV motorhomes online here. Alternatively, you can use Motorhome Republic to search all motorhomes in NZ. For more detailed info, read my complete guide to renting a motorhome in New Zealand!

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE: I’ve managed to snag a discount code for 5% off for my readers if you book your campervan or motorhome through JUCY or Star RV! Simply click here to select your JUCY campervan, or click here to select your Star RV motorhome, and then use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off – it’s that easy!

Thanks for reading!

A road trip from Queenstown to Glenorchy is a bucket-list experience in New Zealand. It is one of the best road trips on the South Island and one you should definitely consider. With the above stops, the journey is sure to be one to remember.

Thanks so much for reading! If you found this guide helpful then browse around My Queenstown Diary. This blog is filled with lots of amazing guides from Queenstown and the surrounding area! Or check out so of these guides below:

7 BEST Milford Sound Tours from Queenstown (2024 Review & Guide!)

55 Awesome Things to do in New Zealand

Tiki Trail, Queenstown – A Steep Climb to Bob’s Peak