Queenstown to Glenorchy road trip: South Island scenic

For many campers hitting the South Island of New Zealand, Queenstown is a highlight of their road trip. What’s not to love? There are mountains for skiing and snowboarding, the beautiful lake with scenic walks and boat trips and an abundance of shopping, restaurants and nightlife for travellers to live it up.

We’ve got a big tip for anyone thinking of hitting the slopes or visiting Queenstown in a motorhome this winter: take the drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy. You won’t regret it.

As a holidaymaker, Camplify helps you find an RV that is perfect for you so you can experience the joys of caravanning - without having to own one yourself.

Interested? Learn more about Camplify here.

Image credit: Rebecca Cook & Jono Boyd

This road is a short roughly 40-minute drive and has the most spectacular mountain views that the Southern Alps have to offer. Not only that, but there are multiple DOC campsites and camping spots between Queenstown and the historical, glacial valley of Paradise just past Glenorchy.

It’s difficult to camp in the beautiful but crowded Queenstown unless you want to pay megabucks. But take this short drive to Glenorchy and you will find there is an abundance of gorgeous lakeside camping spots with 360-degree mountain views that won’t cost you a dollar.

Image credit: Rebecca Cook & Jono Boyd

But that’s not all. The road takes you through some spectacular scenery, from majestic mountain tops fringed with white and reflected in the lake below, to verdant green farmland petering out to thick and wild forest and bush.

Glenorchy itself is a peaceful spot to stop for lunch, a drink or a stroll along the misty and serene Glenorchy Walkway track, which takes you on a boardwalk through marshlands. The wetland walk is maintained by the Department of Conservation and is a perfect opportunity to do some wildlife spotting, birdwatching or just marvel at the spectacle of the mountains.

Image credit: Rebecca Cook & Jono Boyd

Nestled on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, Glenorchy town has a number of dining options, the charming Glenorchy Cafe offers delicious homemade scones for road trippers looking to stop for lunch, and a picturesque picnic area for outdoor dining or even just a spot to sit, brew some coffee in the camper and admire the view.

Once back on the road, a further 20 kilometres away is the isolated township of Paradise. Breathtakingly beautiful, the area is surrounded by beech forests, paradise ducks and up-close mountain views. On a rainy day, rainbows are abundant over the lake creating a picture-perfect postcard image. Paradise has a Department of Conservation maintained campsite with toilet facilities for campers costing $13 per person, per night.

Check out some more of the best Glenorchy camping grounds!

For campers looking to spend some time in the wilderness, there are several tramping tracks and hiking trails starting in Paradise. The area was used for location filming for The Lord of The Rings trilogy, so unspoiled natural beauty is guaranteed.

After spending a day on the road to Paradise, head back after nightfall for some of the best stargazing and views of the Milky Way that the South Island has to offer on this remote stretch of road.

So what is Camplify?

We are Australia’s largest & New Zealand's newest caravan hire and RV sharing community, helping connect thousands of holidaymakers with RV owners.

What does that mean?

Essentially, we provide a unique sharing service where owners of caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes, and campervans list their RV for hire while not in use. As an owner, this enables you to earn over $10,000 each year instead of having your RV just sitting around while you’re not using it.

As a holidaymaker, Camplify helps you find an RV that is perfect for you so you can experience the joys of caravanning - without having to own one yourself.

Interested? Learn more about Camplify here.

Feature Image credit: Rebecca Cook & Jono Boyd