Paradise

Glenorchy, New Zealand is a small settlement located at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu in the South Island region of Otago. It is approximately 45 km (28 mi) by road or boat from Queenstown, the nearest large town.

Glenorchy is a popular tourist spot, close to many tramping tracks, and lies near the borders of Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park. The Routeburn Track, one of the New Zealand Great Walks, can be accessed by passing through Glenorchy.

Glenorchy’s spectacular landscapes have become a prime location for film scouts, depicting many scenes from The Lord of the Rings trilogy as well as featuring in the Narnia movies. Twenty kilometres away from Glenorchy, as bucolic farmland gives way to beech forests, lies Paradise. Some say it was christened for its natural charms, others for the paradise ducks that live in the area. Nobody can say for sure how it got its name, but the one thing people agree on is its breathtaking beauty. "This is the Middle-earth™ I had always pictured," Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf) said of Paradise.

Paradise is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful retreat. It is a place of stunning natural beauty, with snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear rivers, and lush green forests. There are many walking tracks in the area, ranging from easy to challenging. The Routeburn Track is a popular option, but it is designed for relatively avid hikers and is considered intermediate in difficulty. Beginners might want to sit this one out or take things very slowly. Regardless of how you plan your journey through this glorious natural area, you’re bound to agree that it’s among the best things to do in Glenorchy!

Glenorchy is a welcoming and vibrant place famous for its southern kiwi hospitality. There’s an assortment of accommodation, cafes, restaurants, and bars. It’s a good idea to buy hiking supplies in nearby Queenstown. If you’re travelling to Glenorchy, we suggest adding a few of New Zealand’s famous film locations to your list of things to do. The best way to cover them quickly and in detail is by heading on a specialist guided tour. We recommend joining our friends at Pure Glenorchy on their guided tour – what’s more, they even give our readers a discount. These tours take you right into the heart of Middle Earth and through most of the film locations that are in Queenstown and Glenorchy.