Glenorchy Walkway
A boardwalk loop over the wetlands behind Glenorchy, with bird life, benches and views up to Mount Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi, starting from the waterfront.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Open, with cautions. DOC listed no alerts for the Glenorchy Walkway on 18 September 2026, and its track record shows the walkway open. DOC warns that heavy or prolonged rain floods the Glenorchy Lagoon section, so check conditions after wet weather. Checked 18 September 2026 on DOC, Glenorchy Walkway (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 1 to 2 hours, depending on pace and which loop
- Distance
- 3.2 km loop, with a larger and a smaller option
- Track type
- Loop
- Grade
- Easy to intermediate walking track
- Surface
- Formed track along the flood bank around the Rees River and Lagoon Creek, with boardwalks across the wetlands
- Winter
- Good in winter
- Starts at
- Waterfront car park at the northern end of Glenorchy, signposted near the lake on Mull Street
- Bus
- No Orbus stop within 1.2 km of the start
- Dogs
- Dogs on a lead
- Bikes
- No bikes
- Children
- DOC says the walk is great for kids
- Cost
- Free
In short: The Glenorchy Walkway is a 3.2 km loop over the wetlands at the northern end of Glenorchy, with a larger and a smaller option that take 1 to 2 hours. DOC grades it an easy to intermediate walking track. It starts from the waterfront car park, signposted near the lake on Mull Street.
What the track is like
The boardwalk crosses wetlands with views to Mount Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi and the surrounding ranges. DOC lists wading and water birds including pied stilt, South Island pied oystercatcher, Australasian bittern, New Zealand shoveller, grey duck and scaup, and New Zealand falcon can sometimes be seen hunting over the wetland.
From the waterfront car park at the northern end of Glenorchy, follow the DOC signs near the lake on Mull Street; Destination Queenstown's direction is to turn right at the Glenorchy Boat Shed and keep going. The track follows the flood bank around the Rees River and Lagoon Creek, and boardwalks carry it across the wetlands.
There are two loops. Destination Queenstown gives 3.2 km and 1 to 2 hours depending on your pace and whether you take the larger or smaller loop, and DOC's time is also 1 to 2 hours. Benches and picnic tables along the way give places to stop, and the smaller loop is the one to choose if you are short of time.
DOC grades the walkway an easy to intermediate walking track and says it is great for kids. It allows dogs on a lead only, and mountain bikes are not allowed.
How to get to the start
Glenorchy is 48 km from Queenstown on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road by DOC's figure, about 45 minutes' drive according to Destination Queenstown. Park at the waterfront car park at the northern end of the village. DOC asks that you do not park on, or reach the track from, the Glenorchy Paradise Road, which it describes as a hot spot for accidents.
There is no Orbus stop within walking distance: the nearest stop in the Orbus network is about 28 km away, so you need your own transport.
- Start: Waterfront car park at the northern end of Glenorchy, signposted near the lake on Mull Street (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Waterfront car park at the northern end of Glenorchy (Destination Queenstown). DOC says not to park on, or reach the track from, the Glenorchy Paradise Road, an accident hot spot
- From Queenstown: 48 km from Queenstown on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road (DOC brochure), about 45 minutes' drive (Destination Queenstown)
- By bus: There is no Orbus stop within walking distance: the nearest stop in the Orbus network is about 28 km away. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Open, with cautions on 18 September 2026. DOC listed no alerts for the Glenorchy Walkway on 18 September 2026, and its track record shows the walkway open. DOC warns that heavy or prolonged rain floods the Glenorchy Lagoon section, so check conditions after wet weather. Check DOC, Glenorchy Walkway (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | DOC lists grey teal on the wetland in spring, and Destination Queenstown says calm spring days can put the snow-covered peaks in the lagoon's reflection. Spring rain is the thing to watch: DOC warns that heavy or prolonged rain floods the lagoon section. |
| Summer (December to February) | Destination Queenstown says naturalised lupins flower purple and pink beside the trail in December. Benches and picnic tables along the way make it an easy stop for a picnic. |
| Autumn (March to May) | Destination Queenstown rates the walk good all year and names calm late autumn days for reflections of the snowy peaks. Heavy rain can still flood sections. |
| Winter (June to August) | Destination Queenstown rates it good all year, and the loop is flat, low and on the edge of the village. Timber boardwalk can be slippery on frosty mornings, so after a hard frost walk later in the day. |
What to know before you go
- DOC warns the Glenorchy Lagoon section floods in heavy or prolonged rain. If the boardwalk or flood bank is under water, turn back rather than wade.
- Do not park on, or walk onto the track from, the Glenorchy Paradise Road: DOC calls it an accident hot spot.
- Timber boardwalk can be slippery when wet or frosty, so take care with children.
- Dogs must stay on a lead, and bikes are not allowed.
- Check DOC's page for alerts after heavy rain; none were listed on 18 September 2026.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long is the Glenorchy Walkway?
Destination Queenstown gives 3.2 km. It is a loop with a larger and a smaller option, and takes 1 to 2 hours.
Where does the Glenorchy Walkway start?
At the waterfront car park at the northern end of Glenorchy. Follow the DOC signs near the lake on Mull Street, or turn right at the Glenorchy Boat Shed.
Can I walk my dog on the Glenorchy Walkway?
Yes, on a lead. DOC lists it among the dog friendly walks in the Glenorchy area. Mountain bikes are not allowed.
Does the Glenorchy Walkway flood?
Yes. DOC says the Glenorchy Lagoon section floods in heavy or prolonged rain, so check after wet weather.
Is the Glenorchy Walkway good for kids?
DOC says it is great for kids and grades it an easy to intermediate walking track, and there are benches and picnic tables along the way.
What birds can you see on the Glenorchy Walkway?
DOC lists pied stilt, South Island pied oystercatcher, Australasian bittern, New Zealand shoveller, grey teal in spring, grey duck and scaup, with New Zealand falcon sometimes hunting overhead.
Can I get to the Glenorchy Walkway by bus?
No. There is no Orbus stop within walking distance; the nearest stop in the network is about 28 km away.
Nearby walks
- Bennetts Bluff lookout
630 m return · 15 minutes return · Wheelchair accessible short walk
- Routeburn day walks
7.5 km one way to Routeburn Flats Hut and 9.8 km one way to Routeburn Falls Hut, back the same way; the Nature Walk is a short loop with no published distance · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes one way to Routeburn Flats Hut; 3 to 4 hours one way to Routeburn Falls Hut; Nature Walk loop 40 minutes to 1 hour · Routeburn Track: intermediate tramping track in the Great Walks season, advanced tramping track and expert route from May to October. Routeburn Nature Walk: easy short walk
- Lake Sylvan
5.3 km loop, returning by the 1920s tramline · 40 minutes one way to the viewing platform, or 1 hour 40 minutes for the loop · Easy to intermediate
- Bob's Cove
1.5 km one way · 20 minutes to Bobs Cove, 30 minutes to Picnic Point, one way · Easy to intermediate
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Related guides
- Queenstown to Glenorchy: road, stops and what works offline
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- The Routeburn Track from Queenstown: getting there and what it costs
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Sources: DOC, Glenorchy Walkway (opens in a new tab), DOC, The head of Whakatipu Waimāori (Lake Wakatipu) brochure (June 2024) (opens in a new tab), DOC, Glenorchy area (opens in a new tab), Destination Queenstown, Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway (opens in a new tab), Destination Queenstown, Glenorchy walks and hikes (opens in a new tab), Destination Queenstown, Scenic drives from Queenstown (opens in a new tab), Otago Regional Council, Orbus Queenstown GTFS (opens in a new tab) and DOC, Walking track categories (opens in a new tab), retrieved 18 September 2026. Distances, times and grades are the managing body's published figures; fit walkers are often quicker. Department of Conservation information is used under CC BY 4.0. Start coordinates: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). This independent guide is published by Tally Sphere Limited, a New Zealand company. Spotted a change? Report a problem with this page and the page address comes with your email.
All walks: Queenstown walks and tracks.