Frequently Asked Questions
See Glenorchy for yourself
Mountains and Lake in Glenorchy

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What are the rooms like?

Your Adventures in Paradise experience will be based at The Headwaters Eco Lodge. You'll be staying in one of our beautifully-appointed Chalets which each include a private ensuite bathroom with walk-in rain shower, a king-size or split-king single beds, your own covered verandah and lounge chairs to take in the breathtaking views, warm welcoming rustic décor and original artwork by local and NZ artists.

What are your sustainability credentials?

We like to think of Adventures in Paradise, and more broadly The Headwaters, as a regenerative operation; meaning our mission is to actively make things better than they currently are.

The Headwaters Eco Lodge at Camp Glenorchy, where you'll rest your head in blissful sleep each night, is a net positive accommodation provider, meaning we generate more energy than we use onsite each year. We also use 50% less water than similar facilities and are certified by the International Living Future Institute as meeting the imperatives of the Living Building Challenge, the most stringent environmental guidelines in the world!

We are committed to extending our regeneration principles to our Adventures in Paradise experiences, so you'll enjoy knowing that all your delicious food is healthy, locally sourced and free of additives. Your meals in the field are tasty and free of unnecessary packaging. And on the last day of each of our experiences there's also a unique opportunity to take active part in contributing to a community regeneration project.

Are there private bathrooms?

Yes! All our Eco-Chalets feature a private ensuite bathroom with walk-in rain shower, covered verandah and lounge chairs to take in the breathtaking views of Glenorchy and the surrounding mountains.

What services are available?

The Headwaters Eco Lodge's Chalets redefine 'luxury meets sustainability'! Here you'll relish relaxing into a range of modern comforts including heated floors, triple glazed windows, keycard entry, sound proof walls (they are amazing!), temperature-controlled fresh air exchange and fine natural-fiber linens and towels. Spa, laundry and state of the art drying room facilities are also available onsite. Free high-speed internet access is included, and while we'll be spending time during the day in remote areas that may have spotty or little coverage, mobile coverage at the Lodge and in the township is very good.

Can I change my booking?

Yes, once you've paid your deposit you can change your departure date or transfer to to any of our other getaways - provided you make this change before full payment is due (no later than 30 days before the departure date).

What's the cancellation policy?

To help preserve our ability to generate a profit, all of which goes to the Glenorchy Community Trust, our cancellation policy is as follows:

To confirm your booking, we'll charge a non-refundable deposit of NZD$200 per person. This deposit is fully transferable across all getaways and dates and does not expire. 

The final balance for a getaway is due 30 days before the departure date. Cancellations more than 30 days before departure date will receive a full refund, less the Lifetime Deposit of $200.

- Cancellations made within 30 to 14 days of the trip’s departure date will incur a cancellation fee of 10% of the booking total.

- Cancellations made within 14 to 2 days of the trip’s departure date will incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the booking total.

- Cancellations made within 48 hours of the trip’s departure date will receive no refund.

See our full booking terms and conditions here.

How do I make a booking?

Easy! Book online here or just get in touch and we will arrange your booking.

How do we get to Glenorchy?

If you're joining us on an Adventure in Paradise, your transportation will be convenient and hassle-free. We'll pick you up from Queenstown Airport or central Queenstown, and chauffeur you along one of the world's most beautiful drives to your destination as you take in the breathtaking views of your 45-minute journey alongside Lake Wakatipu.

What are the guides like?

Our guides are beautiful spirits! As you explore together, your guides will share their passion and knowlege about the area, the local flora and fauna, the fascinating history of Glenorchy and the head of the lake, and informative commentary throughout. They're humble, patient and worldly - they know how to tell a good story and they know this place like the back of their hand.

What else is there to do in the area?

You'll soon discover that the people of Glenorchy have created a wonderful lifestyle for themselves here at the head of the lake. We have plenty of additional hiking options to share with you, as well as a raft of other outdoor activities. Consider booking a few extra days to soak in the healthy mountain lifestyle. If you're keen to relax and make this a personal wellness retreat, that's available, and if you want to engage your creative side there are art and photography workshops. Head on over to our Headwaters Eco Lodge experiences page to learn more!

What's the cancellation policy?

To help preserve our ability to generate a profit, all of which goes to the Glenorchy Community Trust, our cancellation policy is as follows:

To confirm your booking, we'll charge a non-refundable deposit of NZD$200 per person. This deposit is fully transferable across all getaways and dates and does not expire. 

The final balance for a getaway is due 30 days before the departure date. Cancellations more than 30 days before departure date will receive a full refund, less the Lifetime Deposit of $200.

- Cancellations made within 30 to 14 days of the trip’s departure date will incur a cancellation fee of 10% of the booking total.

- Cancellations made within 14 to 2 days of the trip’s departure date will incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the booking total.

- Cancellations made within 48 hours of the trip’s departure date will receive no refund.

See our full booking terms and conditions here.

What clothing will I need to bring?

Glenorchy is located at the head of the lake and the heart of the mountains. It's a beautiful and ever-changing alpine environment and as such, the weather can change quickly. We'll provide you with a comprehensive gear list well in advance of your Getaway. The main things to keep in mind are to layer breathable, quick-dry active wear for our daily activities, and to bring casual, comfortable clothing for relaxing at the lodge in the evening. A good sun hat, and a pair of well worn-in, lightweight hiking boots will also be essential.

Are children welcome on these Getaways?

Please chat to us if you'd like to organise a getaway with children under the age of 12.

When is the best time to visit Glenorchy?

We offer our experiences all year round, so there’s really no bad time to visit Glenorchy! Generally, the most popular times to visit are the summer and shoulder seasons; however, we love the winter here too: everything's a bit quieter and bright, cool, clear days are common, which makes for stunning photos.

What if I want a meal out or free time from the itinerary?

We’ve designed our Getaways with a sense of connection and community in mind, so we’ve included all meals with your like-minded fellow travellers. Because of our values and selection of activities, we tend to attract similar guests with aligned interests so you'll be in excellent company. We also pride ourselves on including absolutely everything during your trip to allow for the best value experience. Because Glenorchy is such a small village, there are limited dining options which is why we’re happy to provide our guests with delicious meals daily. In saying that, this is your trip of a lifetime so if you prefer to eat out one night, you’re certainly welcome to do so.

Do you offer private or bespoke trips?

Absolutely! Our Getaways are a great option for a family or group of friends - if you'd like to go private, chat to us about our options.

Do you cater to a range of dietaries?

Yes! Anything goes - please let us know when you get in touch and we'll make sure your Adventures in Paradise chefs and guides can plan to meet any special needs.

Our trips

Every trip has an element of surprise but these are the things we don't waiver on

Community

Glenorchy is our home and our vision has always been to give back to our local community and the larger world. Adventures in Paradise, and more broadly ‘The Headwaters’, is part of a NZ-registered charitable organisation that was created to support the Glenorchy Community Trust. By joining us you are truly supporting local too!

Eco + Comfort

You’ll be staying at The Headwaters Eco lodge —New Zealand’s first net positive energy accommodation. When you stay with us you’ll have the opportunity to discover how warm, beautiful and welcoming a light footprint can be, as well as the standards we live up to as part of the Living Building Challenge, the highest sustainability standards in the world.

A Deeper Connection

We are driven by crafting experiences that create goodness that extends beyond us. This happens by enabling our guests to have meaningful experiences immersed in some of nature's most magnificent high mountain landscapes with people from our local community and the beauty of the land in which we live.

Environment

The land and its people are what inspire us. And when you join us on any of our getaways, you'll discover why. Each itinerary includes hours of healthy, restorative time in nature, and community-based activities. During your experience, you'll also have an option to leave a little piece of you behind for next time, knowing that your time here will be a gift to you as well as to the community of Glenorchy for years to come. 

Learning & Creativity

Curiosity drives us and we believe everyone has a gift to give to the world. Beyond nature-based learning, we’ve opted to go deeper in our quest to create an expanding sense of community. Each evening on our programs there will be inspiring guest speakers, breathtaking visuals, and creative people excited to share their passion with you.

A Responsible Choice

Our choices matter. Our getaways make it easy for you to make great choices. Whether that be around the food you eat, the way you nurture your body, mind and soul or the way you connect with the environment and those around you. Our pledge is to walk our talk with the hope of inspiring others to make healthy, positive choices that nurture and sustain.

Want to Walk a little slower, breathe a little deeper and sit a bit more comfortably in your chair?
Discover Glenorchy Getaways with Adventures in Paradise