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High Country Escape

The mountains are calling...

Enjoy a world less touched by human footprint. This breathtaking 4-night getaway combines the most beautiful hikes, the freshest meals, and the most extraordinary locations where few get to go. Venture into a private sheep farm, and into a World Heritage Park, taking in the diverse landscapes of an ancient beech forest, braided rivers, and glacier-carved valleys.

Experience the magic of the famous Routeburn Track and hike alongside the mountain-fed waters of the Dart River. Visit a 130-year-old high- country working farm set in the spectacular alpine environment, where you will gain real insights into country life. We’ll enjoy some of New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes, including locations used for several well-known films such as Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Wolverine, and The Hobbit

Indulge in a fireside drink followed by menus that change seasonally and showcase local foods prepared by our world-renowned chefs. At the end of the day, you can look forward to relaxing in our beautifully crafted homestead lodge and your quiet, private ensuite chalet.

Our legendary door-to-door personal service promises to create a getaway unique and memorable, that gives your soul the restorative, wide-open adventure you’ve been craving.  

Upcoming trip dates

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per person (twin share) from
$4995 NZD
$4995 NZD
4 nights
Trip Highlights: 
  • Hike part of the stunning Dart River track with your private guide
  • Visit an historic high-country sheep farm with stunning scenery
  • Enjoy a beautiful day in the beech forest on the famous Routeburn Track
  • Experience a magical dinner at the historic Paradise Trust
  • Indulge in food prepared daily by our world-renowned chefs
  • Taste craft beer with our local star brewmaster
  • Hike at Whakaari overlooking the breathtaking river deltas
  • Unwind in our peaceful eco chalets with king bed & ensuite
  • Enjoy optional daily gentle yoga classes

Please note that minimum numbers apply to all getaways and prices may vary based on departure season.

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Your all-inclusive trip features:

Your trip features:

Hiking
Premium Eco Lodging
Tree Planting
All Meals Included
Yoga
Craft Beverages
Local Guides
Transport

There is so much to see and do in glenorchy

Unwind in your very own cabin at the award-winning The Headwaters Eco Lodge, and leave all the details to us. Your local guides will ensure everything is taken care of along the way so you don’t have to worry about a thing - your only job is to relish every moment and enjoy!
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Queenstown pick-up with scenic walk en-route to your Glenorchy experience

Your guide will pick you up at midday in Queenstown, or at the airport, before driving up to Glenorchy on one of the world’s most scenic lakeside drives. We’ll stop along the way to stretch our legs with a stunning lakeside walk and delicious lunch - you’ll want to make sure you have your camera out for these views!

Upon arriving at The Headwaters Eco Lodge, you’ll be welcomed by your friendly hosts and shown to your private room with ensuite, before getting together with your group for a short tour of your new home base. Your expert guides will then provide you with an overview of the next five days and offer a walking tour of Glenorchy. Or if you prefer, stay behind and relax in your private cabin to enjoy the serenity of the Lodge.

Glenorchy Lake

The evening will commence with pre-dinner drinks and canapés before a sumptuous dinner featuring an assortment of the Otago region’s finest foods. We’ll finish the evening with a short programme that is sure to inspire! Upon booking your trip, your Getaway Specialist will speak to you about your preferences for these evening programme topics, so they are tailored to fit your personal interests and passions.

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Day 1

A day on the Routeburn Track

Wake up in paradise! After an optional yoga class and a delicious breakfast, we will head off to hike one of our favourite walks. Enjoy a day on the breathtaking Routeburn Track within Mount Aspiring National Park. Experience a variety of landscapes, framed by soaring mountain peaks, crystal blue rivers, suspension bridges and roaring waterfalls. This Great Walk is famous for a good reason! (If you’ve already experienced this iconic hike and prefer something else, no worries, we have excellent alternatives up our sleeves - just chat to your Getaway Specialist upon booking.)

After a thrilling day walking in the beautiful beech forests, we’ll stop at Mrs. Woolly’s General Store to indulge in some homemade treats. We’ll then return to The Headwaters Eco Lodge where you can enjoy some free time before coming back together in the evening for pre-dinner drinks and a classic Kiwi BBQ, followed by a short entertaining programme.

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Day 2

Dart River Hike & Paradise craft beer experience

Today you’ll have a chance to enjoy another gentle morning yoga class, followed by a hearty breakfast before getting ready for a day in one of New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes. We’ll venture back into the heart of Mt Aspiring National Park for a beautiful hike that winds along side the mountain-fed waters of the Dart River. After a picnic lunch we will visit a 130-year-old high-country working farm set in the spectacular alpine scenery, where you will gain real insights into country life. We’ll take in a range of sights and landscapes, including locations used for several well-known films such as Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Wolverine, and The Hobbit.

At the end of this unforgettable day, we’ll visit the historic lodge at Paradise - yes, Paradise is a real place! Run by a charitable trust, Paradise is a 300-acre property recognised for its outstanding heritage significance and unspoiled natural beauty. We’ll enjoy pre-dinner drinks and canapés in the rustic setting of the old school house, including an intimate craft beer tasting experience with our local brewmaster. Dinner will follow, featuring the best of the region’s fresh local fare before heading back to our base for a well-deserved rest.

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Day 3

High country sheep station hike

Following your daily option of gentle yoga and morning breakfast routine, today’s excursion will become treasured landscape photos for your memory banks. The drive to our destination is just as stunning as the walk through this rural farm landscape. We’ll have these vistas all to ourselves too as we traverse these private lands and say hello to the friendly farm animals who have grown up with soaring mountains and crystal clear rivers as their natural backdrops. After our hike, we’ll celebrate the completion of our morning adventure with lunch in the beautifully restored historic homestead.

After you’ve had your fill of nourishing food and gorgeous views, we’ll take the drive back to the Lodge, where you can enjoy some relaxation time before pre-dinner drinks, followed by our farewell dinner and one last evening programme before slipping off to count sheep in your own cosy bed.

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Day 4

Whakaari hike or regenerative native planting

After another optional yoga class and delicious breakfast, you have the option of one last morning hike up the historic Whakaari Conservation Area. Or if you prefer, you'll have the opportunity to leave a piece of you in Glenorchy to come back to one day, by planting your very own native tree or shrub at our chosen restoration area - an incredible way to give back to the community. Following your chosen activity, we’ll have morning tea before your guide takes you on your last journey back down the most picturesque road in New Zealand.  Arriving in Queenstown by noon, we will all bid farewell...until next time!

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Day 5

Book in confidence

We’re not in the business of creating worry or anxiety. In fact, quite the opposite. When booking our getaways you can be assured that:

  • Lifetime deposits are fully transferable across dates and getaways, and will never expire!
  • Bookings are transferable across travellers. Can’t make it? Find a friend to take your spot.
  • Need to make a change? We're always just an email or phone call away. Rest assured we're here to serve.
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Enjoy a world less touched by human footprint. This breathtaking 4-night getaway combines the most beautiful hikes, the freshest meals, and the most extraordinary locations where few get to go. Venture into a private sheep farm, and into a World Heritage Park, taking in the diverse landscapes of an ancient beech forest, braided rivers, and glacier-carved valleys.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.

How do I make a booking?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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