Queenstown is surely one of the world’s prettiest cities but the beauty doesn’t stop at the city limits so I highly recommend a day trip or two to escape the adrenaline rush seeking tourists. This post covers the area to the north taking in Glenorchy and surrounds.
Sunrise in Queenstown
After a couple of sunrise photos in QT sample the breakfast at Fergbaker and then head west out of town along Lake Wakatipu. You’ll lose Internet access the second you cross city limits, but who cares when the views are this good. The drive to Glenorchy should take 45 minutes but if you’re not stopping at every pullover for photographs then you’re missing the best part of the trip. Particularly look out for Wilson Bay, Bennetts Bluff Lookout and Meiklejohns Bay.
The road to Glenorchy
Wilson Bay
Bennetts Bluff Lookout
Meiklejohns Bay
Glenorchy
Glenorchy is quaint and lovely but there’s not a whole lot to do. Stop for lunch somewhere and then take a stroll to Glenorchy Wharf with its picturesque red boathouse.
Paradise
If the weather is good there’s supposed to be some excellent walks around Glenorchy but it had started to rain as we arrived. Instead we decided to drive to Paradise (actually called that) which isn’t a popular tourist attraction but was the setting for many Lord of the Rings scenes so it was guaranteed to be interesting. You’re back in unsealed road territory and while beautiful it was a little too rural for us with icy rain pelting down so we turned back halfway but not before Mum made me withstand blasting rain through the car window while she photographed some picturesque sheep.
Moke Lake
On the way back to town we thought we’d check out Moke Lake which entailed a gravel road, a herd of menacing cows, wind, rain, cold and fog, and not the picturesque, serene experience you see in all the pictures. Still, I’d be keen to visit again on a clear day and I hear it’s a great spot to photograph the stars.
Queenstown
Back in Queenstown we chose to forgo Queenstown’s most quintessential experience of eating at Fergberger and, on the recommendation of a friend, ate round the corner at Devil Burger instead with their chips and golden curry sauce. Yum. End the day with a stroll round the quaint little township and a spot of souvenir shopping.
We stayed at: Alexis Motel & Apartments
We stopped at: Wilson Bay, Bennetts Bluff Lookout, Meiklejohns Bay, Glenorchy, Paradise, Moke Lake, Queenstown
We wore (in spring): Long pants, tee, scarf and jacket. It was a freezing evening so a full length puffer jacket helped.
Distance: Queenstown to Glenorchy is approximately 45 minutes drive without all the scenic stops.