Get ready for the mountain weather
Glenorchy sits at the head of an alpine valley, and its weather has a mind of its own — often quite different from Queenstown, and prone to changing quickly. A still, sunny morning can turn windy by afternoon, so come prepared with layers for wind and shifting temperatures.
As night falls, that same alpine air turns to your advantage: the clearer the sky, the deeper the stars. A moonless night over open sky is when the Dart Valley truly shows off — the Milky Way at its brightest, the mountains just silhouettes against it.
HOW DO I GET TO THE HILLOCKS?
The journey to The Hillocks is part of the experience. The drive from Queenstown along the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road is one of the most scenic in New Zealand — 45 km along the eastern shoreline of Lake Wakatipu, roughly 45 minutes, arriving in Glenorchy at the "Top of the Lake."
From there, it's no more than 15 minutes further, following the signs toward Routeburn and Kinloch. Our visitor centre — and the start of your experience — sits right at the Dart River Bridge, impossible to miss.
What you need to know before you go:
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The road: It is a fully sealed, yet narrow and winding road with sections close to the water. We recommend allowing extra time, especially if you are a first-time visitor or driving after dark. If a local is behind you, using the passing lanes to let them through is a small courtesy that goes a long way here.
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No fuel on route: There are no petrol stations between Queenstown and Glenorchy, though Glenorchy itself does have one — just make sure you've got enough in the tank to get there.
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Road status: Conditions can change, particularly in winter — this is an alpine road, so drive to the conditions rather than the speed limit. To ensure accuracy without constant updates, please check live road statuses through the NZTA Journey Planner.
Skip the Drive, Take the Sky
There's no public transport to Glenorchy — but you can skip the drive altogether and arrive by helicopter with Heli Glenorchy. Departing from Heliworks Queenstown (64 Grant Road, Frankton), combine your transfer with one of their scenic flights — Milford Sound, the Dart River, Earnslaw Burn, and more — for an unforgettable start to your visit.
Book your helicopter transfer directly with Heli Glenorchy (0800 435 449 · info@heliglenorchy.co.nz), or ask us to arrange it as part of your booking for "The Future is Wild™ @ The Hillocks."
Glenorchy - Remote by Nature, Wild by Choice
Long before the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road existed, Glenorchy was about as remote as New Zealand tourism got — and travellers came anyway.
The town's name is a piece of transplanted Scotland, brought by the settlers who arrived in the 1860s. Apart from a rough bridle track cut around 1870, there was no road out. For nearly a century, the only way in or out was by water — a flotilla of steamships crossing Lake Wakatipu.
In 1912, with the TSS Earnslaw, Glenorchy became something unexpected for such a remote outpost: an early eco-tourism destination. "The Lady of the Lake" steamed up from Queenstown three times a week, connecting on to Kinloch, where the Bryant family had turned their 1868 sawmillers' hotel into a base for travellers bound for the Routeburn — shuttling guests onward by horse, then car, then bus, to reach what's now one of New Zealand's Great Walks.
That instinct — that this wild place was worth the journey, and worth protecting — hasn't faded. It lives on in the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust's predator control work, in Tāhuna Glenorchy's status as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, and now in "The Future is Wild™ @ The Hillocks," where 18% of net profits go directly into environmental restoration and education. With the opening of the Dart Bridge in 1974, travel got easier — but the reason people keep making the journey stays the same.
Things to Do in Glenorchy
To help you plan your time, here are the main activities available in the area. These are kept as general categories so you can explore the variety of experiences the region offers:
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Hiking: Close access to the iconic Routeburn and Greenstone trailheads.
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Horse trekking: Equestrian tours across breathtaking natural landscapes.
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Jet boating: High-speed thrills navigating local rivers and waterways.
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Kayaking: Peaceful or adventurous experiences exploring the lake waters.
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Scenic flights: Unmissable aerial views of alpine peaks and valleys.
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Mountain biking: Trails and routes perfect for exploring on two wheels.
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Stargazing: Nighttime spectacles under clear, open skies.
Where to Stay
The Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp
49 Oban Street, Glenorchy village · Cedar-lined alpine huts, restaurant & bar
"Ask anyone who has stayed at The Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp and you will hear some version of the same thing: you arrive as a guest and leave as a friend. Hosts Doug and Liz, together with their close-knit team, bring an easy, unforced warmth to this cluster of cedar-lined alpine huts right in the heart of Glenorchy village. Each evening ends around a long, candlelit table, where Liz's wood-fired kitchen turns honest, local ingredients into generous, unpretentious meals, exactly what's needed after a day on the trails, the lake, or further afield. Between the fire pit, the sauna and the mountain-view cabins, it is Kiwi hospitality at its most genuine. An easy, friendly stay for visitors heading to The Hillocks and exploring the wider Glenorchy basin."
Kinloch Wilderness Retreat
862 Kinloch Road, Kinloch · Family-run, eco-certified lakeside retreat
"On the quieter, northern shore of Lake Wakatipu, Kinloch Wilderness Retreat is a family-run, Qualmark Gold™ certified escape where the water laps almost at the door. Owners Toni and John Glover have built their reputation on genuine warmth and local know-how; guests often mention the two of them pointing out a hidden swimming hole, a lesser-known lookout or the best time to catch the light on the lake, the kind of local secrets you won't find in a guidebook. Days here begin with coffee looking out over the water and end soaking in the garden spa tub beneath a sky thick with stars. Cosy rooms and cottages, the much-loved Fernery restaurant, and an unhurried, homely rhythm make Kinloch a natural base for travellers heading for the Routeburn and Greenstone trailheads, and for anyone who wants Glenorchy's stories as much as its scenery. A short, scenic drive from The Hillocks."
Blanket Bay
4191 Glenorchy–Queenstown Road, Lake Wakatipu · Luxury lodge · Two MICHELIN Keys
"At the meeting point of the Humboldt Mountains and Lake Wakatipu, Blanket Bay has spent nearly a quarter of a century as one of New Zealand's most celebrated luxury lodges, and today holds Two MICHELIN Keys for an exceptional stay. Under General Manager Tom Butler and his team, the tradition of quietly exceptional hospitality continues: soaring timber ceilings and roaring fires beneath the Great Room's thirty-foot beams, dinner in the intimate Wine Cave or out on the terrace facing the lake, and private balconies that frame the Humboldts at every hour of the day. Guests often describe it less as a hotel stay than as being welcomed into someone's finest mountain retreat. Twenty minutes from The Hillocks, Blanket Bay remains the benchmark for Glenorchy hospitality.“
TIPs for your visit
Mobile Coverage
Limited signal in the valley — but we've got you covered on site
Mobile coverage drops out in parts of the valley on your way in, so download your maps and directions before you set off — you don't want to be searching for signal on a winding alpine road. Once you're with us, though, you're covered: free WiFi is available on site, so there's no need to have your tickets saved offline in advance.
What to Bring & Site Guidelines
Preparing for your visit
Clothing and footwear:
Mountain weather changes fast here, so a layer for warmth is a good idea. Underfoot, the tracks are compacted gravel and easy walking — comfortable shoes are all you need, and even sandals or jandals work just fine, if you don't mind the local sandflies taking a passing interest in your ankles. (They will. Bring repellent — your future self will thank you.)
Guidlines forThe Hillocks
Being onsite:
Please make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before your designated time slot. The experience is designed for all ages, and the main trail is easily wheelchair accessible. The one exception is the viewing platform, which may require a helping hand to navigate — so if you're using a wheelchair and planning to visit it, we'd suggest bringing someone along who can assist.
