The Queenstown DOC visitor centre is on the move to better meet the changing needs of visitors naturing in the Whakatipu region.
Starting this summer, the visitor centre will be based in Glenorchy, to be closer to the district’s national park access.
DOC will also be rolling out a new mobile unit allowing rangers to move around key sites and proactively meet visitors to provide information before they head out into nature.
DOC Whakatipu wai Māori Operations Manager David Butt says the innovative new model will enhance visitor engagement and deliver significant savings for the department.
“DOC has a long and successful history operating our Visitor Centre out of Stanley Street in the CBD but the way people interact with information has changed significantly in recent years,” says David.
“Our visitor centres have a vital role in providing important information that enhances people’s experience in nature, as well as helping people make safe decisions. To do that effectively, we need to adapt with the times, and switch to a model that meets people where they are.
“Moving the base to Glenorchy makes sense, as it’s the district’s gateway to Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks, where most of our visitors are heading.
“An added mobile option means we can be flexible and have a DOC presence across the district.”
The visitor centre will also become a seasonal service, with the flexibility to open 7 days a week during peak holiday season. It will be closed during the historically quiet months of June to September, with staff focusing on other core visitor engagement and community outreach work. There will always be an online presence to respond to visitor queries.
The decision comes after a successful Glenorchy pop up visitor centre trial undertaken during January 2025. The trial saw a 28% increase in visitor numbers compared to the Queenstown location the previous year.
“We also had really good feedback from both the Glenorchy community and visitors in general,” says David.
“We’re committed to continuing to provide an excellent service for visitors going naturing in the district, and are looking forward to rolling out this new approach in November 2026.”Details on the new Glenorchy visitor centre location will be available soon.
NATURE LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM HERE
Nature isn’t scenery. Nature is a society that we rely on for everything, every day. It’s behind our identity and our way of life.
