It is a fact that Queenstown is truly an amazing place with beauty beyond words. But you will be surprised at how the beauty tends to increase manifolds as one drives beyond the city walls. The scenic drive from Queenstown to Wanka is one such example, but if you are looking for a comparatively shorter drive, the road trip from Queenstown to Glenorchy would be an opt choice. This blog post covers the route from Queenstown to Glenorchy and the stops on the way that are worth stopping at. The road, Glenorchy-Queenstown Road as they aptly call it, is a bit windy with backdrops of cliff edges, mountains and forests and don’t be surprised if you fall in love with it.
Road trips are all about freedom & since you will be stopping numerous times on the way, it is impossible to do the drive without a vehicle. Tourists prefer renting cars in Queenstown for this drive. Without a car hire, you will not be able to have the freedom to explore the places and attractions located on the way that are totally worth your time.
Checkout the places where you can stop on the way Little Thailand Viewpoint
You will encounter a lot of viewpoints while driving from Queenstown to Glenorchy, and the very first one you will come across is the Little Thailand Viewpoint.
From here, you get the beautiful views over Wakatipu Lake. Drive slowly and indicate early on about the turn. Bask in the beauty and do take pictures. If you are a swimmer, take your swimwear along as there is a little path that takes you down the cliff, a place where you can jump off into the lake. It is just about 6-7meters jump, perfectly doable, moreover there are ropes and strings that you can use to climb up again and do it all over again.
Second stop is the lovely Moke Lake
It is actually not on the road from Queenstown to Glenorchy, but Moke Lake is definitely worth the detour. After leaving the Little Thailand viewpoint, the right turn takes you onto Moke Lake Road. From there, you just have to drive for 15 to 20 minutes to reach the lake.
Surrounded by Ben Lomond and Mount Crichton, Moke Lake is a great place to have a picnic in a peaceful setting, so make sure to get something packed before leaving Queenstown in the morning.
Next in the line is the magical Wilson Bay
Wilson Bay is a beautiful little beach, a peaceful place where you can spend an hour or more on your way to Glenorchy. This place has perfect bike tracks, so if you are into biking, or visiting with kids, this might be a great way to make memories.
Even if nothing else, it is considered the best photo stop along Queenstown-Glenorchy road. The water here is heavenly blue and with its postcard perfect views, it is definitely a great place to click some instagram-worthy pictures. The place also has a public toilet that you may want to use before heading towards the next stop.
Head towards Bob’s Cove
Bob’s Cove is the next must visit stop along the drive; this place has a designated parking area, which is located right next to the road; here you can park your rental car for free.
Bob Cove’s Track is quite popular and consists of a 20 minutes track which leads you to another bunch of beautiful beaches with exceptional views over Lake Wakatipu. The track starts at the car park and descends to Bob’s Cove through woods which are full of bird life and is a good place for birdwatching.
On reaching Bob’s Cove, look around, there is a jetty, it is quite beautiful but if you want to have more mesmerising views, Bob’s Cove lookout is a must. From the jetty, follow the path that is going up, walk for 15 to 20 minutes to reach the lookout. It provides some great views over the peninsula that separates Lake Wakatipu and Bob’s Cove.
If you love mountain biking, you can easily spend 1 to 2 hours here. The Twelve Mile to Bob’s Cove Track is a great way to spend time exploring the whole shoreline of Lake Wakatipu. It is also a great place for budding geologists and flower-lovers.
Bennetts Bluff Lookout
After Bob’s Cove, the road gets really steep, so drive carefully; on reaching the top, there is another lookout viewpoint where you should stop. It is known as Bennetts Bluff Lookout, a gravel stopping bay right next to the road. Since the looking point is really high, from there you will be able to see properly the mountains located on the North and the west side of Lake Wakatipu. From this vantage point you will also have a good look at the Pig and the Pigeon Island located on the northern end of the lake. It also gives great views of the mouth of the Dart River, located at a distance from the islands.
Glenorchy
After such a beautiful drive, on reaching the charming town of Glenorchy, first get something to eat. After that spend the day exploring this magical little town best known for adventure sports. Here you can indulge in different activities like jet boating and flights over the surrounding mountains. In case you want to see Milford Sound, the companies in Glenorchy also provide scenic flights for the same.
Jet boating is a must; though Dart River is shallow and normal boats can’t navigate it, Jet Boats can. Funyaking, which combines Jet boat ride with kayaking, is also quite popular in Glenorchy.
Here is a small list of things that you can do in Glenorchy in half a day:
- Glenorchy Lagoon
- Glenorchy Animal Experience
- Paradise Ziplines
- Dart Stables
- Glenorchy Waterfront Reserve
- Mount Alfred
- Diamond Lake
- Glenorchy War Memorial
- Glenorchy Wharf
Where to eat in Glenorchy?
For lunch and dinner, consider these restaurants; they have great menus and excellent reviews:
- Glenorchy Café & Bar – The GYC
- Queenie’s Dumplings Glenorchy
- The Sugar Loaf Cafe
Where to stay the night in Glenorchy?
- Kinloch Wilderness Retreat
- Bold Peak Lodge
- Camp Glenorchy Eco Retreat
Have more time?
If you have more time, visit Kinloch. It is located on the other side of Dart River and is not much, yet the beauty of it will make your morning special and rejuvenating. Kinloch is a small town, a holiday destination that many people cover after completing the Routeburn Track.