Hotels near Glenorchy and Paradise Valley

Glenorchy is a tiny settlement at the northern head of Lake Wakatipu, and the 45-minute drive from Queenstown along the lake's western shore is one of the most scenic road trips in New Zealand. The road hugs the lakeshore beneath towering bluffs, with frequent pulloffs for photos. Glenorchy itself is the gateway to three of New Zealand's Great Walks - the Routeburn Track, Greenstone-Caples Track, and Rees-Dart Track - and the access point for Paradise Valley, a remote river flat surrounded by beech forest that served as a filming location for [Isengard and Lothlórien in the Lord of the Rings trilogy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings_(film_series)).

Even if you are not a Tolkien fan, the landscape is extraordinary - the Diamond Lake walk (2.5 hours return) behind Glenorchy offers views that rival anything in the region. The Dart River jet boat safari combines jet boating with short bush walks through moss-draped beech forest for NZD 299 (167 EUR). Glenorchy has a few cafes and a general store, but no petrol station - fill up before leaving Queenstown.

Pro Tip: Drive to Glenorchy early morning and do the Diamond Lake walk first (the track starts 15 km past Glenorchy on the road to Paradise). Have lunch at the Glenorchy Cafe, then explore Paradise Valley in the afternoon. The gravel road to Paradise is usually passable in a regular car but check conditions locally after heavy rain.