The four of us (9, 12 and 2 adults) splurged on a Glenorchy adventure and stay at Basecamp.
Basecamp is really special. Full of warmth from the firelight and the people. Doug and Liz are really quite exceptional and make everyone feel convivial and at home in a way I don't think I've experienced on holiday before. It's like eating with the family except the cooking is dramatically better! The collective children also get to eat together and play around the camp.
The adventure side of things was more than great. Jaw-dropping heli-transport. Unforgettable camping location. Spectacular camp cooking. Doug and Christian (camp magician and guide respectively) were an absolute pleasure to be with. Hugely thoughtful about making sure the kids would also love it. They went above and beyond to make sure the adventure worked for us.
Lovely people that live a life full of cool outdoor things and really want to share it with others.
FAMILY SNOW CAMP
+ ACCOMMODATION
IN GLENORCHY
We are the Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp, right at the doorstep of the best adventure playground in the country.
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Need a place to stay in Glenorchy?
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FEATURED ADVENTURE
Snow Kingdom
Heli · Snow Camp · Family Friendly
3 Nights
4 People max
From $2,650 per person (based on group of 4)
3 Nights
4 People max
From $2,650 per person (based on group of 4)
Looking for something different this winter? — How about an overnight snow camp in traditional heavy canvas tents…
…complete with wood-fired tent heaters, stretcher beds, hot food, expert high alpine guides and more? Let us make it easy — 3 nights — you’ll spend your first and last night with us at our Base Camp with one night in the snow.
We can supply anything you might need, whether it’s transport or equipment (crampons, ice axes etc.) from $2,650 per person based on a group of 4. Contact us to find out more.
Available Dates:
● 30th June to 2nd July
● 4th to 6th July
● 8th to 10th July
● 13th to 15th July
● 17th to 19th August
Itinerary
Day One
Arrive at The Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp in the afternoon. You’ll be checked in and shown around before meeting your guide who will brief your group and check your gear ahead of drinks and dinner with us at our Base Camp Food Over Fire licensed restaurant.
Day Two
Up nice and early, and after breakfast you’ll meet your guide and climb into one of our Defender 4X4s to be shuttled to a nearby heli lift zone. It’s a spectacular flight into the mountains of the UNESCO South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.
You will all get involved in setting up your high alpine camp. Once all set up, and after you’ve had some refreshments, you’ll begin your snow fun. You will be taught some new skills and put them to good use (snow cave making, snow shoeing, ice axe technique, how to fit and use crampons, introduction to high alpine safety and more).
Once back at your alpine snow camp base you will help with dinner preparations and enjoy spending time with your group far away from technology and truly connected. The star gazing up there is next level too.
Day Three
Today’s activities will have been planned by your guide in collaboration with your group. These activities will vary from group to group.
Break your snow camp down, pack it up for your heli lift back to The Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp. We will all be waiting there for you there, fires will be on, sauna too, the bar will be open and your dinner will have been slow cooking all day.
You will enjoy your debrief with your guide (doesn’t take long) with enough time for you to freshen up for dinner
Day Four
Enjoy breakfast and a fresh brew on your last morning with us (this time).
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
A two day and three night backcountry experience for women to improve off-track mountain movement.
Available dates:
- May 30th to June 2nd
- June 9th to 12th
This course covers:
- Weather Interpretation
- Route Selection
- Gear Tips
- Off-Track Map & Compass Navigation
- Garmin, Inreach & PLBs
- Survival Skills
- Emergency Procedures
- River Crossing Techniques
- Campsite Selection
- Confidence Building
Contact us and we’ll make it easy from there.
We are always more than happy to customise your adventure especially for you. All we need is for you to CONTACT US with your preferred dates, a little information about you/your group and we will send you some options – nice and easy.
GOOGLE REVIEWS
Top class hospitality from the sweetest hosts. Landing in this remote corner of the planet and being warmly welcomed by Liz and her staff as if we just stepped into their personal living room was a real treat. Antique wood burning stoves and reclaimed nautical light fixtures set the tone for a restful evening with a home cooked meal painstakingly prepared by the hostess herself. We were all seated at a long farmhouse style dinner table with hand written menus and designated seating assignments to encourage mingling amongst guests at this family style dinner. It was so great to hear and share stories as we met travelers from around the world. Accommodations were equally warm and welcoming with private cabins and shared bathing facilities that are top notch with all the perfect high end designer soaps including a stunning sauna to top things off. We enjoyed every moment of our stay at The Great Glenorchy Alpine Camp.
We stayed at The Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp for 4 nights a couple of weeks ago. We wanted to stay somewhere where we had easy access to day walks but not in Queenstown. As soon as we saw the photos and read the reviews for Base Camp we decided that was where we were going to stay and we’re so glad we did.
As soon as we arrived we were given a warm welcome from Doug, Liz and Tess and immediately felt relaxed. Their hospitality throughout our stay was genuine and enthusiastic and we were always greeted with a friendly smile (even when we were late for dinner).
The cabins were warm and cozy and had everything we needed plus nice personal touches. Our first day we walked part of the Routeburn track – it took us 5 hours to walk to Lake Harris and Harris Saddle Shelter but only 3 hours back (we had dinner on our mind) Liz’s cooking is exceptional with slow cooked meals each night (beef cheeks, lamb shoulder) and pudding (chocolate and sticky date) cooked in heavy iron pots over a wood fire stove. The communal table set by candle light was a chance to catch up with other guests both locals and overseas.
Our second day the storm we had been warned about by DOC rangers blew in and we decided it was too wet and windy to walk anywhere so we went for a swim in the lake (we swam each day and checked with Doug where to swim safely - we’re experienced swimmers and we had our wetsuits with us) it was pretty wild conditions but good fun. After our swim we visited the General Store (great coffee) and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in our cabin listening to the gale force winds and rain outside.
Our third day the weather had improved and over breakfast we discussed a range of walks in the area – Doug and Liz have a vast knowledge of all the walks and we settled on Glacier Burn track near Kinloch. With some local knowledge from Liz we set off up the track making our way to the clearing for a late lunch looking back towards Glenorchy and a quick glimpse of the glacier before it clouded over.
We had such a nice time at Base Camp we’re already thinking about when we can go back and with a significant birthday coming up next year the Polar Express private glamp is looking very enticing 😊
We wanted a place away from busy Queenstown and we're so glad we stayed at the Great Glenorchy Alpine Basecamp. They're known for their adventure experiences, but we stayed for just a night and had a wonderful time. The cast iron dinner (made dairy free!) was delicious, but the company was more memorable. Doug, Grace, and Ned were all so kind and sincere. We hope to be back again one day to spend some more time in their slice of paradise.
NEED A PLACE TO STAY? - HOW ABOUT A COSY MOUNTAINEERS HUT?
Inspired by the historic mountaineer’s huts that typify the New Zealand Southern Alps, our accommodation has been created by adventurers for adventurers.
Among a host of other inclusions, we have a sauna, our popular ‘Base Camp Food Over Fire’ licensed wood-fired restaurant, fire pits, festoon lighting, Wifi (although we encourage a different kind of connection) and have gone to some trouble with the little things that we think make all the difference.
OUR HUTS & CABINS
Cosy Hut
4 People
A queen bed, a bunk with two single beds and access to nearby shared luxurious bathrooms. Perfect for couples and families.
Triple Bunk Hut
6 People
Two fun triple stacked bunks with nearby shared luxurious bathrooms. Perfect for groups.
Double Bunk Hut
6 People
Three fun double stacked bunks with nearby shared luxurious bathrooms. Perfect for groups.
Hostel Hut
1 Person
Reserve a single bed in a shared hostel-style bunk hut with nearby luxurious shared bathrooms.
En-Suite Hut
2 People
A queen bed with a private bathroom and shower. Perfect for couples.
OUR FACILITIES
- Restaurant
- Sauna
- Laundry
- Parking
- Wood Fires
- Gun Safe
- Bar
- Showers
- Drying Room
- Souvenirs
- Storage
- Transfers
- Wood-fired BBQs
- Toilets
- Dishwasher
- Gear Hire
- Free WiFi
- Family Friendly
Our Facilities
Bar
Restaurant
Wood-fire BBQs
Fireplaces
Sauna
Toilets
Showers
Storage
Washing Machine
Drying Room
Equipment Hire
Souvenirs
Free WiFi
Parking
Dishwasher
Gun Safe
Transfers
Family Friendly
Stay with us in Glenorchy
Whether you’re looking for a place to stay at the beginning or end of an adventure, or you’re a traveller looking for a place to rest, Base Camp might just be the ticket…
…Hut-style accommodation with different bed configurations. Family friendly. Queenstown Airport transfers, adventure transfers, our Base Camp Food Over Fire licensed restaurant, sauna, drying room, laundry and more.
Contact us for more info.
