Paradise is a remote, beautiful, emerald-green rural area of flats and rolling hills, located north of Lake Wakatipu and Glenorchy, and nestled between Mount Alfred and Mount Earnslaw / Pikirakatahi. It also connects the Rees Valley and Dart Valley and is on the edge of Mount Aspiring National Park. At the southeast end of Paradise is Diamond Lake, a popular destination for trout fishing with a basic campsite.
The flats and rolling hills were cleared of forest and tussock in the 1800s, and are used for sheep and cattle farming, while the mountain sides continue to be swathed in dense beech forests. Especially on a fine winter day, it does look like paradise, with the snowy, jagged peaks offsetting the lush green pasture.
The area was initially known as Paradise Flat by early European settlers. Alfred Duncan, in his article "Paradise and the Māori," published in the *Lake Wakatip Mail* in 1860, said it was named for its beauty. Another plausible explanation is that the name originated from the paradise shelducks in the area. Regardless, the area has been attractive enough to provide locations for various films, including The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Wolverine, The Lovely Bones, and The Chronicles of Narnia.
As you drive through Paradise, there is a sign on the road marking the place. The sign has proven a popular spot for travellers to attach their random stickers from around the world! There are several buildings owned by Paradise Trust nearby, as well as a walking track. Although the track is open to the public, it is unmarked. You can find directions and a map on the links, as well as accommodation options.
Paradise is a 25-minute drive from Glenorchy and on the way to the Dart Valley and Dart Track in Mount Aspiring National Park. The road is sealed from Glenorcy to the intersection with Priory Road. From the intersection, continue straight ahead on gravel Paradise Road, which is generally in good condition. Note that the road is rougher after Paradise, with several fords as you approach the national park. It is doable in a 2WD, but take extra care.
