Scenic Drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy
The Glenorchy-Queenstown Road is a stunning scenic drive in New Zealand, tracing the edge of Lake Wakatipu. This 44 km route is a captivating road trip that takes approximately 46 minutes to drive, excluding the stops to capture the lake and steep surrounding mountains. It is particularly attractive on a calm early morning in Winter and early Spring with snow on the mountains.
Amazing Views to the South
Setting off from Queenstown, you look across the lake to the south, with Cecil Peak and Walter Peak providing striking backdrops, while the Remarkables loom behind you. Seven Mile Point is a notable location for photos before you turn north, but other notable stops include 12 Mile Delta and Bobs Cove, each with its own perspective of the lake and mountains.
Breathtaking Mountain Vistas
Beyond Bobs Cove, the road veers from west to north, climbing to about 100 metres above Lake Wakatipu. This elevation provides expansive views with steep drops and open vistas. To the west, the Thomson Mountains rise up to 2,007 metres, while the Humboldt Mountains, featuring Mt Bonpland at 2,343 metres, dominate the northwestern horizon. To the far north, Mt Earnslaw/Pikirakataki stands at 2,830 metres, capped by a large glacier. Within the lake, you will also see two islands, Pigeon Island / Wāwāhi Waka and Pig Island / Mātau.
Bennetts Bluff is the prime viewpoint, about halfway along the route, but the entire drive is filled with stunning sights, especially on a clear Winter or Spring morning when the mountains are capped with snow. After Bennetts Bluff, the road descends back towards the lake with several access points, including Meiklejohns Bay, Twenty-Five Mile Stream, and Lake Face Creek Falls.
Access Points and Nearby Tracks
The road also provides access to several popular tracks, including Moke Lake, Bobs Cove Track, Mt Crichton Track and Lake Dispute Track, each providing opportunities for further exploration and adventure.
How to Get There
The drive starts on Lake Esplanade Road in Queenstown and becomes Glenorchy-Queenstown Road, heading west towards Glenorchy.
At the northern end, you can explore the charming town of Glenorchy, including the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway, then head to Paradise and the Dart Valley, Routeburn Falls for a day walk and Kinloch, with more walking and hiking options.
