To the Top & Back – 6 Hour Glenorchy & Beyond Adventure
At a glance
Private 6-hour guided tour for up to 4 people (NZD $2,500)
Pickup from your accommodation in the Whakatipu Basin
Travel by Land Rover Defender along the scenic road to Tāhuna / Glenorchy
Stop at hand-picked locations along the way for photos and exploration
We visit hand-picked locations beyond Glenorchy, including Paradise, the Routeburn, and the Dart Valley, depending on conditions and the day.
Professional photographs of your group included
Optional lunch or catering available through local providers
Simon holds a full passenger endorsement and operates certified passenger vehicles
Learn more about our local family business → About Us
Good to know
Flexible planning around weather conditions
Operated under DOC concession
Health & Safety audited by Qualworx
Qualmark Silver accredited
Ideal for couples, families, or small groups seeking a private, curated adventure
More than 4? emailus@authenticAs.org and we’ll find you a solution
About Your Guide
Simon has lived in the Lakes District for over 20 years. His deep knowledge of the local environment, wildlife, and culture informs every tour, ensuring you experience more than just the sights.
Each adventure is carefully curated to showcase the best locations for your group, and Simon captures professional photographs along the way, creating lasting memories of your time in Queenstown and beyond. Past guests have praised the relaxed pace, attention to detail, and quality of the images — whether couples on a romantic getaway or families exploring the region.
The Road to Glenorchy
Tāhuna / Glenorchy is a small township at the head of Lake Wakatipu. It wasn’t until 1962 that the road from Queenstown was completed — before then, access was by horse, foot, or boat.
Today, this road is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful drives in the country. Leaving Queenstown, the ribbon of tarmac winds along the eastern edge of Whakatipu Waimāori (Lake Wakatipu), beneath the presence of the surrounding mauka (mountains). There are several pull-ins along the way, and we’ll stop at selected points to take in the views and explore the landscape more slowly.
Depending on where you’ve already been — or what you’re curious about — we can also include a side trip to Moke Lake or Bob’s Cove, two quietly spectacular locations just off the main road.
Some places along this route can be busy at times, while others remain wonderfully quiet. We know this road extremely well and choose where to stop based on the season, the light, and the weather on the day.
You can sit back and take in the scenery while we share stories of the place and its history. When we stop, it’s our role to photograph you together — all of you in the landscape. This isn’t a staged photoshoot; we’ll encourage you to look around, to slow down, and to genuinely engage with your surroundings while we quietly capture those moments.
We’ve spent many years educating young people across the Wakatipu Basin, Upper Clutha, and beyond in sustainability and environmental awareness. That experience shapes how we guide and interpret this journey, offering a deeper understanding of the place you’ve chosen to visit.
An iconic rural Kiwi town
We’ll spend a little time in the township of Glenorchy, soaking up the atmosphere of this small lakeside settlement at the head of Lake Wakatipu.
Mrs Woolly’s is our favourite place for souvenirs from the Southern Lakes, offering a thoughtful collection of locally made crafts and gifts. Many of our manuhiri appreciate ten quiet minutes here to browse.
The wharf and red boat shed will be familiar to anyone who has seen photographs of Queenstown and the surrounding region. Depending on the time of year and day, the area can be busier at times, but we know this place well and will work around any crowds, finding angles and moments that feel unhurried.
From here, we can walk along the northern edge of Lake Wakatipu, watching the Dart River flow into this vast body of water. In spring and early summer, lupins often line the shoreline, adding bursts of colour to an already striking landscape.
The Glenorchy Lagoon and its world-famous red bench is reached via a gentle, flat walk of around 20 minutes, partly along boardwalk. It’s a perfect chance to stretch your legs without too much effort and experience a classic wetland environment at an easy pace.
In the words of our manuhiri (guests)
Unforgettable Queenstown Adventure – A Perfect Blend of Scenery, Photography
& Hospitality!
Our photography tour with AuthenticAs was an experience of a lifetime! Simon’s expertise, passion, and deep local knowledge made every moment special, taking us to breathtaking locations we would have never found on our own. His photography tips and storytelling added an extra layer of magic to the journey.
To top it all off, Emma’s beautifully arranged picnic was simply outstanding—fresh, delicious, and set in a stunning spot. This tour is an absolute must for anyone looking to capture the true essence of Queenstown in the most exclusive and immersive way. Highly recommended!
Pavneet & Simran - Trip Advisor 5*
An Unforgettable Queenstown Adventure with Simon
After an unexpected free day opened up during our vacation, we wanted someone to guide us around the Queenstown area and show us the region’s hidden gems—places less accessible and often overlooked by larger tours. Simon was incredibly responsive, creating a custom itinerary for us on very short notice.
The next day, we found ourselves in his 4x4, surrounded by Queenstown’s breathtaking scenery, from remote backcountry mountains to lush rainforests. Simon not only guided us but also took stunning photos of both us and the scenery, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience without worrying about capturing the memories.
Between stops, Simon shared his deep knowledge of Maori culture, providing fascinating backstory and helping us appreciate the Maori people’s connection to the beautiful landscapes we were exploring.
To top it all off, his photo turnaround was impressively quick. He shared previews the very next day, and we received the full album within a week.
Simon exceeded all expectations—his expertise, friendliness, and attention to detail made this one of the most memorable experiences of our trip!
Kyle & Libby - Trip Advisor 5*
Discover ...without distraction!
So often as solo travellers our time leading up to the trip is spent planning for it and after arrival it's a battle between wanting to enjoy ourselves but also capture the experience. Authentic As is your answer to that dilemma!
I stumbled across Simon and Emma's website while I was working on my South Island itinerary. Despite all my years in Aotearoa, I had spent more time visiting overseas locales than I had our gorgeous Te Waipounamu. It's easy to push things in your backyard further down the bucket list isn't it? But with an imminent move to Australia coming, I knew I had to make the most of my time.
The initial email exchange with Simon and Emma instantly put me at ease. They understood my desire to enjoy the day without having to whip out the phone for selfies lol. Ofcourse the day itself was absolutely memorable - really appreciated how organically our plans unfolded based on the light conditions and the spots I was enjoying. Simon spared no efforts in making sure that I not only got to enjoy the natural beauty around us, but also that he captured those moments for me, so I could remember them by. Thanks to Authentic As, I got to discover all sorts of spots - underrated and well loved that day.
And I have to mention that I was wholly unprepared for Emma's fabulous picnic - what an absolute treat! After a wonderful day out, Simon made sure to send an initial set of pics out to me so I could share the excitement of the day with friends and family (despite having a very early start the next day for a community event I must add). Soon after that Simon shared the full photo package as well - what an absolute delight it was to re-live the stunning day turning to dusk turning to night. The transition had been magical to experience in the first place and getting to see it all over again was a gift <3
Queenstown and its surrounding locales are so gorgeous, it'd be a shame not to let yourself be fully immersed because you are distracted by the desire to capture your memories on camera. I never took out my phone once to click pics during the trip; I didn't have to do any planning; I thoroughly enjoyed my day ...what more could one ask for? As Simon likes to say... "let me do the hard work!" :)
Parul - Trip Advisor 5* Review
Leaving sealed roads behind
As we travel beyond Glenorchy, it isn’t long before the smooth sealed road gives way to gravel — and you couldn’t ask for a better vehicle to be in. Our 2015 Land Rover Defender is an outright classic, with just enough modern comfort to make the journey relaxed, while still feeling like a proper adventure. It also happens to be a remarkable companion for photographs.
With our Department of Conservation concessions, we have access to a range of places beyond Glenorchy. Depending on the day, we may:
venture up the Rees Valley towards the dramatic Muddy Creek
travel through the Dart Valley and Paradise, running along the base of Pikirakatahi (Mt Earnslaw) until the road quite literally ends
head towards the Routeburn Great Walk, spending time walking through ancient beech forest
Decisions are made as we travel. We follow our noses to a degree, guided by the weather, the conditions, and your interests. This flexibility is part of what makes the experience feel like a true adventure. When we stop, we’re not racing the clock — if you connect with a particular place, we’re free to stay a while longer.
A few practical details
This experience takes around six hours, from picking you up at your accommodation in the Wakatipu Basin to dropping you back there — or elsewhere in town if that suits your plans better.
We aim to stop often enough along the way to give you a range of different experiences. Some locations involve short, easy walks through forest or along the lakeshore, so comfortable footwear is recommended.
Every tour is bespoke. As we spend time together during the drive, we’ll suggest options that feel like the best fit for you, guided by the conditions on the day and your interests. Flexibility is key to how we work.
These aren’t whistle-stop tours where you’re in and out of the vehicle as quickly as possible. We want you to slow down, relax, and take time to absorb the beauty around you — and to learn more about this remarkable part of the world that we feel privileged to call home.
We know you’ll be keen to see your photographs as soon as possible, so we get into processing quickly. Usually by mid-morning the following day, you’ll receive a small selection for you to share and remember your day. Your full gallery will be delivered via digital download within two weeks.
When it comes to numbers, it’s a bit like asking how long a piece of string is. Rather than holding the shutter down and delivering hundreds of near-identical images, we focus on creating a considered set of photographs that genuinely reflect your experience. Some people are very comfortable in front of the camera and bring lots of ideas; others less so. Either way, we work at your pace and do our best to make the process feel relaxed and natural.
We also offer high-quality printing options, which we’re happy to discuss with you. Depending on how long you’re staying in the region, prints can be delivered to your accommodation before you leave, or shipped anywhere in the world.
If you have any further questions, please emailus@authenticAs.org and we’ll be glad to help.
