We set off reasonably early, just as the sun began to peek over Mt Iron (it’s approaching winter, so “early” was about 8:30—definitely not a crack-of-dawn start). The first task of the day was chiselling ice off the car. Not frost—actual ice. Rain had fallen overnight, followed by a serious chill that turned everything solid. The hills were dusted with fresh snow, and the ground sparkled in the icy morning light.
As cold as it was, the freeze transformed the landscape into something even more beautiful than the day before.
Our first stop was at the top of the Crown Range, where we paused to stand on real snow and snap a few photos. Then came a quick detour to Queenstown McDonald’s for hotcakes (don’t judge—sometimes you just need hotcakes). After that, we left Queenstown behind and headed for Glenorchy.
And oh, what a road. The lake, the hills, the mountains, the clouds—it was simply breathtaking.
We weren’t sure what to expect at Glenorchy. It’s less of a town and more of a scattering of bungalows nestled at the top of the lake—not far from where Top of the Lake was filmed. Joining a handful of tourists milling about, we took in the stunning views and snapped a few photos before setting off on a short walk.
The walk itself was lovely, surrounded by towering mountains (though they were shrouded in sleety rain for much of the time). It felt like we only scratched the surface of the hiking opportunities in the area. We’ll have to come back.
Afterwards, we stopped at a small but bustling café for a sandwich and a cup of coffee. Then, we retraced our steps along that incredible road back to Wanaka. Honestly, even if you never step out of the car, the drive to Glenorchy alone is worth it.
The Obligatory Blog 