The Department of Conservation's Queenstown visitor centre will be temporarily operating from Glenorchy between January 13 and 26 but it is not deserting Queenstown.
Doc Whakatipu operations manager David Butt said, in a statement, the temporary site would be convenient and closer to most of the district's extensive visitor network.
"These two weeks are some of the busiest we get for visitors.
"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.
"We always want to figure out the best way to serve Whakatipu visitors, so we're also keen to see how well the temporary site is received.
"The visitor centre in Queenstown will be closed during this period, as staff will be based in Glenorchy. There will be notices on the doors to advise people of the temporary Glenorchy location and contact phone numbers for inquiries," he said.
"There are no plans for Doc to abandon Queenstown."
The primary district office and majority of staff were based in Arthurs Point "and not affected by this temporary change".
Doc said as it only had a small number of staff in Queenstown these staff would temporarily go to Glenorchy to provide this service.
The pop-up visitor centre will be run from the former Glenorchy Cafe in Mull St and provide Doc information and services.
People checking in for the Routeburn Great Walk from January 13-26 will need to do so when they arrive in Glenorchy. - APL
