- Est. Median Value
- $522K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $400/wk
- Safety Score
- 91/100
- Green Space
- 97%
- Current Weather
- -5.2°C
- Median Age
- 41 yrs
~34 crimes/1k/yr
overcast clouds
Living in Mount Earnslaw
Mount Earnslaw is the sentinel at the head of Lake Wakatipu, rising to 2,819 metres above Glenorchy with the symmetrical conviction of a mountain that knows it's on postcards. The locality takes in the peak and its surrounding high country in the Mount Aspiring National Park, where the Dart and Rees glaciers maintain their retreat and the permanent snowfields remind the district that the altitude is doing something genuinely alpine above the tourist infrastructure.
The Māori name is Hikurangi-whakamau, and the mountain holds mana in the district's story: an important landmark for the routes between Otago and the West Coast, and the orientation point for everyone navigating the upper Wakatipu by eye. The peak's silhouette is the reason the Glenorchy view looks the way it does, and the reason Glenorchy photographers position themselves the way they do.
As a residential locality, Mount Earnslaw's population is permanently at zero: this is national park and high-country terrain, with no infrastructure above the valley floor. The mountain invites serious mountaineers to its technical ridges and the trampers on the approaches, and otherwise contents itself with being the view from the lake road that makes everyone slow down.
Glenorchy's services and Queenstown's schools serve the valley below the peak.
Is Mount Earnslaw a good place to live?
Mount Earnslaw is home to roughly 522 people. On Suburb's overall livability scale, Mount Earnslaw scores 61 out of 100, with a safety score of 91/100 and 97% green space.
Housing: The estimated median value is around $522K, and weekly rent typically sits around $400.
Lifestyle: Mount Earnslaw has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. The current temperature is -5.2°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Mount Earnslaw 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
- Amenities10
- Schools0
- Housing Affordability72
- Green space100
- Community78
- Transport19
Some dimensions are still pending data: schoolQuality.
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $522K
- 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 Mount Earnslaw?
- Mount Earnslaw (Hikurangi-whakamau) is at the head of Lake Wakatipu, rising to 2,819 metres above Glenorchy in the Queenstown Lakes district, within Mount Aspiring National Park.
- Can you climb Mount Earnslaw?
- Mount Earnslaw's ascent involves serious mountaineering via its ridges and glaciers, requiring alpine experience, equipment and good conditions. It is not a tramping peak; guided options are available from Queenstown.
- What is the Maori name for Mount Earnslaw?
- The Māori name is Hikurangi-whakamau, reflecting the mountain's significance as a landmark and navigational reference for routes between the Wakatipu and the West Coast.
- What is the best view of Mount Earnslaw?
- The lake road approaching Glenorchy from the south offers the classic view across the lake to the peak, with Glenorchy's lagoon in the foreground on the final approach.
- How do I get to the Mount Earnslaw area?
- Drive to Glenorchy, 45 minutes from Queenstown, which sits at the mountain's base. The Dart and Rees valleys provide tramping access into the national park below the peak.
- What is the population of Mount Earnslaw?
- Mount Earnslaw has 522 residents, based on the 2023 Census.
- How much do houses cost in Mount Earnslaw?
- The estimated median property value in Mount Earnslaw is $522K. Median weekly rent is $400/week.
Explore Mount Earnslaw
Things to do(1)
Rock bivouac
Parks & green spaces
Parks and reserves for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Healthcare
Pharmacies and clinics for this area haven’t been catalogued yet.
Stay in Mount Earnslaw
Places to stay(1)
Rock bivouac
Mount Earnslaw Weather
Current conditions: -5.2°C, overcast clouds
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 14.1 | 5.73 | 7.14 | 10.44 |
| ☀️ Feb | 12.39 | 4.16 | 7.46 | 9.65 |
| 🍂 Mar | 8.73 | 0.92 | 8 | 8.24 |
| 🍂 Apr | 8 | 0.82 | 7.83 | 6.29 |
| 🍂 May | 3.99 | -1.61 | 8.14 | 4.63 |
| ❄️ Jun | 2.2 | -3.04 | 5.17 | 4.15 |
| ❄️ Jul | 0.32 | -5.28 | 5.7 | 4.19 |
| ❄️ Aug | 0.19 | -4.84 | 8 | 4.8 |
| 🌸 Sep | 0.98 | -4.41 | 17.97 | 4.94 |
| 🌸 Oct | 1.9 | -3.4 | 12.05 | 6.12 |
| 🌸 Nov | 5.79 | -1.87 | 6.73 | 8.72 |
| ☀️ Dec | 11.57 | 3.3 | 8.05 | 9.24 |
Mount Earnslaw Community
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