- Est. Median Value
- $1.10M
- Median Weekly Rent
- $400/wk
- Safety Score
- 91/100
- Green Space
- 49%
- Current Weather
- 0.5°C
- Median Age
- 41 yrs
~34 crimes/1k/yr
overcast clouds
Living in Glenorchy
Glenorchy sits at the head of Lake Wakatipu, 45 minutes north of Queenstown on the road that runs the western shore, and it is the town that the Queenstown visitors discover when they've run out of bungee cord and decide to keep driving. Around 350 people live at the flat alluvial delta where the Dart and Rees rivers deliver the Southern Alps into the lake, and they've developed a polite but firm attitude toward the fact that their living room is also someone else's bucket list.
The location is the reason for everything: the Dart Valley is the route to the Routeburn Track and the Greenstone and Caples, three of New Zealand's most walked backcountry circuits, and Glenorchy dispatches walkers, jetboaters, horse trekkers and film location tourists with the efficiency of a small town that knows exactly what it's good at. The Paradise Valley up the Dart, a location name that for once lives up to itself, has appeared in more fantasy film productions than its road sign suggests possible.
The Glenorchy pub, the cafe, the motor camp and the information centre constitute the town's complete service infrastructure, which is not a criticism. The Glenorchy Air flights to Milford and Doubtful Sound leave from the small aerodrome.
Glenorchy School holds the local years; Queenstown handles the secondary run.
Is Glenorchy a good place to live?
Glenorchy is home to roughly 522 people across 165.7 km². On Suburb's overall livability scale, Glenorchy scores 63 out of 100, with a safety score of 91/100 and 49% green space.
Housing: The estimated median value is around $1.10M, and weekly rent typically sits around $400.
Lifestyle: Glenorchy has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. The current temperature is 0.5°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Glenorchy is right for you depends on what you’re looking for. Use the data and community tips below to decide if it suits your lifestyle, family and budget.
Map
Livability Breakdown
- Safety91
- Amenities56
- Schools0
- Housing Affordability34
- Green space100
- Community78
- Transport19
Some dimensions are still pending data: schoolQuality.
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $1.10M
- Median Weekly Rent
- $400/wk
- Median HH Income
- $90K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- +16.0%
- Data Year
- 2023
Key Financial Indicators (NZD)
† Est. Median Value is suburb.co.nz's own estimate, modelled from available public data. We aim for accuracy, but where data is limited, estimates may be imprecise.
Nearby Suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Glenorchy?
- Glenorchy is at the head of Lake Wakatipu, around 45 km (45 minutes) north of Queenstown, where the Dart and Rees rivers meet the lake at the foot of the Mount Aspiring National Park.
- What walks start from Glenorchy?
- The Routeburn Track, Greenstone Track, Caples Track and Rees-Dart Track all begin or end near Glenorchy, making it the Wakatipu basin's main gateway to Great Walk and backcountry tramping.
- What is Paradise near Glenorchy?
- Paradise is a farming valley up the Dart River from Glenorchy, famous for its beech forest, mountain backdrop and use as a filming location, accessible on a 4WD-suitable road.
- Can you do a jetboat up the Dart River from Glenorchy?
- Yes. Dart River Wilderness Jet runs trips up the braided Dart River from Glenorchy into the national park, one of the district's classic experiences, combining jetboat, walking and scenery.
- How do I get from Queenstown to Glenorchy?
- By car, around 45 minutes along the scenic western Wakatipu lake road. No regular bus service; shuttle and tour options run from Queenstown. The road is sealed throughout.
- What is the postcode for Glenorchy?
- The postcode for Glenorchy is 9372.
- What is the population of Glenorchy?
- Glenorchy has 522 residents, based on the 2023 Census.
Explore Glenorchy
Things to do(12)
Delta Discovery
Isengard
Glenorchy Animal Experience
Paradise
High Country Horses
Delta Discovery
Earnslaw Burn
Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway
skydive Southern Alps
Glenorchy walkway
Glenorchy Lagoon
Lighthorse Adventures - Glenorchy
Parks & green spaces(3)
Earnslaw Burn
Glenorchy walkway
Glenorchy Lagoon
Healthcare
Pharmacies and clinics for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Eat & Drink in Glenorchy
Places to eat & drink(10)
Mr. Glen's Taphouse & Tapas
Akin
Bonnie Jean Restaurant
Queenie's Dumplings
The Dining Room
Mrs Woolly's General Store & Cafe
Mr and Mrs Glens GY
Mrs Woolly's General Store
Glenorchy Café & Bar - The GYC Venue for Hire
Glenorchy Cafe
Beauty & Fitness in Glenorchy
Beauty & fitness(5)
Delta Discovery
Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway
Lighthorse Adventures - Glenorchy
Salon Sylvan
skydive Southern Alps
Professional Services in Glenorchy
Professional services(2)
Glenorchy Motel
Paradise Pictures
Stay in Glenorchy
Places to stay(12)
Aro Ha Wellness Retreat
Diamond Lake Campsite
Glenoarchy Motel
Glenorchy Hotel
Mount Earnslaw Motels
Glenorchy Lake House
The Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp
Blanket Bay Lodge
Camp Glenorchy
Tukuwaha - Home in the Mountains
Blanket Bay
Relais & Châteaux
Glenorchy Weather
Current conditions: 0.5°C, overcast clouds
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 19.11 | 9.34 | 5.77 | 10.78 |
| ☀️ Feb | 17.01 | 8.23 | 6.71 | 10.12 |
| 🍂 Mar | 13.74 | 5.35 | 7.44 | 8.36 |
| 🍂 Apr | 12.82 | 4.41 | 6.99 | 6.84 |
| 🍂 May | 8.97 | 2.11 | 6.06 | 5.08 |
| ❄️ Jun | 5.02 | -0.93 | 4.73 | 4.21 |
| ❄️ Jul | 4.74 | -1.53 | 5.11 | 4.64 |
| ❄️ Aug | 5.3 | -1.32 | 6.73 | 5.29 |
| 🌸 Sep | 7.27 | -0.19 | 16.39 | 5.37 |
| 🌸 Oct | 9.83 | 1.04 | 10.6 | 6.83 |
| 🌸 Nov | 14.12 | 3.77 | 6.67 | 9.17 |
| ☀️ Dec | 17.08 | 8.15 | 7.1 | 9.7 |
Glenorchy Community
Reviews of Glenorchy
No reviews yet. Be the first to share what living in Glenorchy is really like.
Local tips
No tips yet. Be the first to share what makes Glenorchy special.