Glenorchy Half Day Adventure

HALF DAY

Up to 4.5 hours

Glenorchy, Bennetts Bluff, the wharf, Paradise and the Dart.

Time at the locations that matter for stills — Wakatipu shoreline, the high-country approach, Glenorchy township and wharf, Paradise and the Dart River flats. Film country if you want it: Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Wolverine, Narnia, Willow.

On the day we talk through what you want to shoot and go where the light and the time allow.

Includes morning or afternoon tea.

This tour  includes

• Glenorchy Road
• Bennetts Bluff
• Glenorchy township and wharf
• Paradise and the Dart River
• Chinaman’s Bluff
• Views of Mt Earnslaw and the Southern Alps
• Mt Aspiring National Park
• Film locations — Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Wolverine, Narnia, Willow

Please note, this tour is mostly on-road. 

- This tour is PRIVATE, no other passengers

- Maximum 4 passengers

- Includes picnic lunch and morning  tea

- Duration up to 8 hours

- Includes 15% NZ Goods & Services Tax

Payment can be made direct on the day with Visa, Mastercard, eftpos or cash.

Different start times can be arranged by request where possible. Pick-ups at local accommodation by prior arrangement.

Glenorchy Full Day Adventure

Up to 8 hours

The same country, then further.

Kinloch, Chinaman’s Bluff, the Rees Valley if you want it, and an optional stop at Moke Lake.

Moke is the still-water option. On a calm day the lake holds the mountains. Most of the best frames are within a few minutes of the vehicle. A short walk or the full loop if you would rather be on your feet.

Picnic lunch and morning tea included.

This tour  includes

• Glenorchy Road
• Moke Lake option
• Bennetts Bluff
• Glenorchy township and wharf
• Paradise and the Dart River
• Kinloch
• Chinaman’s Bluff
• Views of Mt Earnslaw and the Southern Alps
• Mt Aspiring National Park
• Film locations — Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Wolverine, Narnia, Willow
• Rees Valley (on request)

Optional  

• 2 ½ hour walk at Moke Lake
• Kinloch
• Rees Valley

Please note, this tour is mostly on-road. 

- This tour is PRIVATE, no other passengers

- Maximum 4 passengers

- Includes picnic lunch and morning  tea

- Duration up to 8 hours

- Includes 15% NZ Goods & Services Tax

Payment can be made direct on the day with Visa, Mastercard, eftpos or cash.

Different start times can be arranged by request where possible. Pick-ups at local accommodation by prior arrangement.

My family of four with two teenage sons took the half-day private tour of Glenorchy and Paradise with Del. This was the only tour we took in our short stay at Queenstown and we were really glad we made the right choice. Although the weather on that day was rather cold-windy and cloudy (in summer) but interspersed with occasional bursts of sunshine, the tour was really fun and lively. Del was warm and friendly and shared with us many interesting insights of the places we visited; and despite the less than sunny summer weather on that day, the views were still amazing and magnificent in a different way. My two boys and wife also really enjoyed chatting with Del and had a lot of fun on the comfortable drive in Del’s 4WD and capable hands. All in all, it was a fantastic trip for us and a memorable experience of Queenstown. Look forward to taking a different tour the next time we are back in town. Thanks Del!

Rob, Singapore

Do it!

Highlight of our holiday so far. This time in NZ we wanted to get off the beaten track. Absolutely amazing! So completely different from the Queenstown side of the mountains. We are coming back in June 2020 to do it all again in the snow. Can't wait. Highly recommended. If you want a tour without sharing in a group this is perfect.

Rosemary, Australia

- This tour is  PRIVATE, flexible and personalised to meet your needs.

- We are a local, family run business who make time for you, take pride in what we do and aspire to give you the best experience possible.

- Del has been guiding tourists locally for over 35 years and has a wealth of knowledge about the area.

- We are professional, safety conscious and pay attention to detail.

- You will travel in a modern vehicle with comfortable seats, great leg room, large windows and all mod cons (no buses or vans).

Moke Lake is the still-water stop. A small alpine valley off the Glenorchy Road, about 20 minutes from Queenstown, tucked between Ben Lomond and Mt Crichton.

On a calm day the lake holds the mountains. Shoreline, wetland and the far peaks line up from a few metres off the vehicle — you do not need the full loop to fill a card.

Walk the 6.5–7 km circuit if you want it (1½–2½ hours, easy, a little over 100 m of climb). Most of the frames are closer than that.

Good shoes, a jacket, and time for the light.

On a still day the lake holds incredible reflections of the mountains. In wind it feels properly alpine.

Walk as much or as little as you want. Most of the best photographic spots are within five minutes of the vehicle. Do the full loop, wander the shore, or stay near the park-up — then meet back at the vehicle. After the walk we put on picnic morning or afternoon tea by the lake.

Please note

• This is an unguided walk. Del stays with the vehicle unless arranged in advance.
• A small map and handheld radios are supplied so you can reach the guide.
• The walk is weather dependent and may be cancelled or shortened on the day.
• Sturdy footwear and suitable clothing are required.
• Optional — skip it if the weather or the legs say no.

Medical fitness. 

• You must be able to walk 6.5–7 km on an uneven alpine track for up to 2½ hours, with short climbs.
• This walk is not suitable if you have an injury, heart or breathing issue, or any condition that makes that distance unsafe.
• Tell us before the day if you have a medical condition that could affect the walk. We don’t need your history — we need to know if the loop is sensible.
• You walk at your own pace and at your own risk. Radios are for contact, not a rescue team on the track

A medical waiver will be required before beginning the walking.