Canterbury Trails · Private Queenstown tours
Glenorchy & Paradise
The road to the head of the lake, and the valley beyond it.
The experience
Some of the finest scenery in the country lies at the end of a short, unforgettable road.
The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy follows the shore of Lake Wakatipu beneath the Humboldt Mountains, one of the most beautiful short journeys in New Zealand, the kind people remember long after the jet boats and the bungy have blurred together. At the head of the lake sits Glenorchy, a tiny settlement framed by peaks, and beyond it a valley known simply as Paradise.
The day
Along the lake to Glenorchy
This is a half day of pure scenery, taken slowly. Your private guide drives the winding lakeside road so you can watch the views unfold, climbing to Bennetts Bluff for the classic panorama across the Wakatipu to the mountains, then on to Glenorchy with its red-roofed jetty and old railway shed standing against the Humboldt and Richardson ranges, and a gentle walk on the lagoon boardwalk beneath the peaks.
Conditions permitting, we carry on into Paradise, a valley at the edge of Mount Aspiring National Park and the backdrop to many well-known films. There is time for a cafe lunch in Glenorchy if you wish, then the unhurried return along the lake.
Along the way
The day in pictures
The Glenorchy shed
The lakeside road
Bennetts Bluffthe classic Wakatipu lookout
Paradisethe valley beyond Glenorchy
What to expect
Pure scenery, taken slowly
The day is entirely private: a premium vehicle and one dedicated guide, door-to-door from Queenstown, and the freedom to stop wherever the view asks you to. It is an easy half day suited to all ages and levels of mobility, and it pairs beautifully with a relaxed afternoon back in town.
Private half-day journeys from NZD $235 per person.A half day from Queenstown, along the lake to Glenorchy and Paradise.
What our guests say
“A fantastic guide, the exact combination of informative, entertaining and patient.”Nick H, April 2026
Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google & TripAdvisor
Good to know
A few questions answered
How long is the tour, and where do you collect from?
A relaxed half day, around five hours, with private door-to-door collection and return from your Queenstown accommodation.
Is lunch included?
Not included. There is time for a cafe stop in Glenorchy if you wish, and bottled water is provided.
Will we reach Paradise?
Conditions permitting. The road into Paradise is unsealed and depends on the weather, and your guide will advise on the day.
Is it suitable for all ages?
Yes. It is an easy half day with optional gentle walking, suited to all ages and levels of mobility.
Plan your journey
Travel the head of the lake in style
Tell us your dates and your party, and we will shape the day around you.
Email info@trails.co.nz · Phone +64 3 384 6148
