1. Visit the Glenorchy Animal Experience

Glenorchy Animal Experience owners Theresa and Robert (and dog Trevor) are the latest generation to be custodians of this farm owned by their family for over 100 years.

They welcome families for fun encounters with farm animals. Hand feed goats, llamas, and alpaca. Watch sheep shearing demonstrations, and pat everything from guinea pigs to lambs to a mighty yet gentle Clydesdale called Frank.  

With over 100 friendly hand reared animals full of character, this charming farm experience will be a hit with little animal lovers and parents alike. 

Visiting the Glenorchy Animal Experience with Queenstown Expeditions

Visiting the Glenorchy Animal Experience with Queenstown Expeditions

2. Try a Horse Trek

Lighthorse Adventures offer two horse trek experiences for families in the beautiful surrounds of the Dart River Valley. Follow the braided river under the soaring peaks of the surrounding mountains, as you ride through farmland and forest.

Their Easy Rider trek is perfect for the whole family. A slow-paced trail ride, kids from five to 15 can ride with parents, although littlies under eight must be on a lead line. The Pony Express is an easy, 20-minute scenic pony ride for kids between three and seven.

High Country Horses’ Rees River Trail is a great adventure for beginner riders. Suitable for kids aged seven and older accompanied by an adult, enjoy stunning scenery, river-crossings, movie locations, and stories of the area’s rich history.

Horse riding in Glenorchy, Lighthorse AdventuresLighthorse Adventures, Glenorchy

3. Fly Through the Trees at Paradise Ziplines

10 minutes’ drive from Glenorchy, the Paradise Ziplines guided tour flies you through native beech forest with stunning mountain views and across an fast flowing alpine stream. Eight ziplines travel over a kilometre of varied terrain. You’ll launch off a cliff, and zip through a narrow canyon over a waterfall overhung with trees.

The tour is suitable for children aged 10 years and older who weigh over 30kg. Safety gear is provided, and your guides give you full training before the tour begins, so you don’t need any experience. You walk half a kilometre between the ziplines, and there are uphill sections over uneven ground, so everyone needs to be fit and mobile. The Paradise crew will pick you up in Glenorchy and drive you to the zipline site on private land.

Person ziplining with snow-covered mountain in the back

Paradise Ziplines

4. Explore the Dart River on Funyaks

The Dart River Adventures Funyaks experience is ideal for families. Climb on a jet boat in Glenorchy and experience the excitement of a high-speed ride up the Dart River into the natural beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage area.

There, you’ll be introduced to your inflatable Funyak canoe, given training and a full safety briefing, before gently drifting downriver, exploring side streams and chasms on your way. A delicious picnic lunch is included. After your paddle downstream you’re collected by coach and driven back to Glenorchy, passing filming locations for the Lord of the Rings and X-Men. Children over the age of five are welcome if they’re over 100cm tall, and able to swim.

Group of people on blow up kayaks floating down river stream with snow-capped mountains in background

Dart River Adventures Funyaks

5. Go birdwatching on the Glenorchy Lagoon

Pack a picnic and do the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway to see how many birds you can spot. A gentle stroll ideal for kids, this spectacular scenic boardwalk is only a few minutes from the Glenorchy township, and a bench halfway is ideal to refuel and admire the views.

Follow the boardwalk around the lagoon, looking out for wetland birds. You may spot pied stilt, black swans, South Island pied oystercatcher, Australasian bittern, New Zealand shoveller, grey teal, grey duck, and scaup. If you’re extra lucky, you might see New Zealand falcons and swamp harriers hunting.

Family walks along the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway

The Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway

6. Introduce the Kids to a Great Walk

Glenorchy is the gateway to the Routeburn, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. While young legs may not be up for the full four-day tramp through glacial valleys, the Routeburn Nature Walk gives them a bite-sized taste of the track and a beautiful walk through beech forests. Interpretation panels introduce you to plants and birds and you may see and hear tui, bellbirds, bush robins, fantails, and yellowheads.

Another fun Glenorchy walk for young adventurers is the Invincible Gold Mine Track. A longer walk, about three hours return, with some steady climbing, this is one for older kids. Your exertions will be rewarded with magnificent views, and fascinating historical relics from the gold mining era.

Invincible Goldmine Track

Invincible Gold Mine Track

7. Experience the Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp

The Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp combines guided experience packages with mountaineer's cabin-style accommodation in the spectacular surrounds of the UNESCO World Heritage area. Their fun bunk huts are ideal for large family groups, while their wood-fired restaurant serves up hearty food cooked in cast iron camp ovens.

The Base Camp crew offer four family-friendly guided hikes and adventures.

  1. Camping not Camping. A day trek into the beech forest with a riverside picnic.

  2. Wind in the Willows. A 4x4 drive into the wilderness for a private family picnic.

  3. Your Moonlight Kingdom. A heli-hike glamping adventure.

  4. Snow Kingdom. A winter heli-glamping adventure with snow shoeing.

Clear blue skies, snowy mountain tops and buildings of the Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp in the foreground

The Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp

8. Stay at Mrs Woolly’s Campground

Camping is a family holiday classic, and busy parents always appreciate a campground built with family fun in mind. Mrs Woolly’s Campground delivers the goods, with everything you need for a great break: a children’s playground, a well kitted out kitchen, outdoor BBQs, and fresh espresso.

Right in the heart of Glenorchy, you’re only a short walk to the lakefront, the lagoon boardwalk, and right next to Mrs Woolly’s General Store, which is handy for post-hike ice creams. Pitch your tent and make Mrs Woolly’s your home for your big Glenorchy adventure.

Mrs Woollys Campground, GlenorchyMrs Woolly's Campground, Glenorchy