Glenorchy is a small settlement nestled in spectacular scenery, at an elevation of 300m above the sea level, at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand's south Island. It is approximately 45 kilometres by road or boat from Queenstown, the nearest large town.
Glenorchy is a popular tourist spot, close to many tramping tracks. It lies near the borders of Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park. The local scenery received worldwide attention when it was used as one of the settings in the first of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films. The scene where Boromir was slain and leant near a tree, Lothlórien and Orthanc were a few that were shot in Paradise. Vertical Limit and X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian were also filmed in the area.
Glenorchy was probably named after Glen Orchy in Argyll, Scotland, and was originally founded by Scheelite miners in 1862.
Glenorchy can be reached by a steep and narrow zig-zag road. Starting in Queenstown, the Glenorchy Queenstown Rd is 46km long, surrounding the Lake Wakatipu. The road climbs to some points located 500m above sea level, surrounded by magnificent snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes and rivers, ancient beech forests and national parks.
