Barely 5 minutes from Wyuna at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu is the small hamlet of Glenorchy. Sitting on the lake edge with a backdrop of snowcapped mountains, the town is the front door to some of the region's most stunning activities and some of the world's best walks.
Glenorchy itself consists of a couple of pubs, a store and campground, possibly the world's smallest library, and a rugby field that doubles as a golf course and a racetrack. Everyone loves Glenorchy. As small as it is this place has a big history. The indigenous Maori passed by here on their way up the Dart River to collect the steel-hard Greenstone or pounamu, to make weapons and jewelry. Then came the farming, gold and finally scheelite mining. Today most visitors pass through Glenorchy to take in the awe-inspiring scenery, whether on foot, mountain bike, horse, 4WD or jet boat. Others pursue the wily brown and rainbow trout in the many lakes and rivers in the area.