DOC’s Queenstown visitor centre is temporarily operating from Glenorchy between 13-26 January 2025. Yesterday we dropped in to see how it’s going.
It’s fair to say (anecdotally) Glenorchy locals are excited to have a DOC visitor centre (VC) in their midst, especially over the busiest period of the year. With local businesses often doubling as default information centres for people passing through, being able to refer them to the VC in Mull Street, “in the old GYC café building,” is a relief.
If ever there was a formal stamp of approval, the sudden appearance of an elderly dog who let herself in, gave everything ‘the sniff’ then settled in the breeze afforded by the front door, was surely it – completing the feeling that this VC has been here for eons rather than just three days.
Pop-up love
Despite having only been open for a few days, the pop-up visitor centre has already attracted more than 400 visitors a day, that’s even more than what Queenstown typically experiences at this time of year! So, what’s the drawcard?
Glenorchy is a gateway to the area’s most popular day and multi-day hikes including the Routeburn Track, Greenstone/Caples Track and Dart/Rees Valley, making it a busy place for visitors wanting to get out and experience nature.
On Monday, the pop-up attracted a lot of people doing scenic drives in the area, especially Lord of The Rings movie super fans (side note, the team sold out of LOTR guidebooks on day one!).
On Tuesday and Wednesday, it was a mix of people wanting tramping advice or checking in ahead of doing the Routeburn Track Great Walk – and some who wanted ideas for local short walks, or suggestions for drives or restaurants.
The site has excellent foot traffic and with Glenorchy being so small, it is very easy for people to inadvertently stumble across the VC and wander in. A lot of locals had already called in to introduce themselves, and some even made a retail purchase (the VC has a variety of nature related items from the ‘manky’ – a handkerchief/scarf with maps printed on it, to walking track books and soft native toys).
Those things that often pop-up
The VC team has been pleased with international visitors checking in ahead of doing the Routeburn Track Great Walk.
Apparently, there are cases where visitors assume our Great Walks might be like walks in Europe that pass-through townships and offer bedding with the accommodation. Checking-in occasionally captures people who have not realised they need a sleeping bag, or even food! It also allows the team to give ALL trampers advice on the terrain, weather conditions and any alerts in place for the track – which is equally valuable for kiwi trampers to know ahead of their walk (yes kiwis, we need a few tips as well) 
Distress beacons for hire
Safety is number one when tramping in New Zealand, with our challenging tracks and swiftly changing weather, especially in the alpine conditions of Mt Aspiring National Park, many of which start in the Glenorchy area.
The pop-up VC has beacons for hire – IYKYK …a distress beacon lets you instantly signal for help and they work almost anywhere in the world.
The beacon shows rescuers your approximate location, taking the ‘search’ out of search and rescue. The sooner rescuers can help you, the more likely you are to survive.
Pop in!
If you’re in Glenorchy over the next week or so, pop in (or ‘pup-in’, you know who you are) and check it out – the crew is based there till Sunday 26 January, and will then return to the Queenstown site (50 Stanley Street, Queenstown).
Reminder: People checking in for the Routeburn Great Walk from 13-26 January will need to do so when they arrive in Glenorchy.
For more information see: Queenstown’s DOC visitor centre based in Glenorchy for two weeks: Media release 8 January 2025
: All images in this blog are credited to Teresa Murphy.