Mrs Woolly’s General Store

As iconic as the red shed or the stunning views at the head of the lake, Mrs Woolly’s General Store has become a cornerstone attraction in Glenorchy, offering a bit of everything for everyone – whether home is around the corner or in another hemisphere.

What began as a humble spot providing fresh food and great coffee for locals and trekkers, has blossomed into a destination that all travellers sought out. This sparked an expansion of the original cafe offering to include an array of groceries and household staples, woolly garments, handcrafted pottery, local artwork and oodles of gifts – sparing patrons the need for a two-hour return trip to Queenstown.

The Secret Garden hidden behind the store has to be one of the most enchanting features, where bees buzz about and flowers show off in their beds during the warmer months. It’s a whimsical setting to enjoy hearty Fairlie pies, wholesome salads, and of course, the famous Full Monty – a decadent creation of homemade gelato topped with raspberries and dark chocolate chips (it’s frowned upon to not indulge). In winter, the wool shed area provides a snug retreat, with a very special corner dedicated to Jane Campion, who donated two leather armchairs from The Power of the Dog film set.

Mrs Woolly’s owes its existence to the vision of Paul and Debbi Brainerd, a philanthropic couple who established the store alongside a selection of environmentally sustainable accommodation options under The Headwaters umbrella. Each enterprise actively supports eco-friendly initiatives and community-oriented projects, with the General Store offering fresh veggies from their onsite garden and greenhouse, as well as championing a community composting operation that sees kitchen waste returned to the earth to nurture flourishing gardens.

All profits from Mrs Woolly’s and The Headwaters Eco Lodge are reinvested into The Glenorchy Community Trust, managed by local members of the community, with a vision to create a vibrant and regenerative place to live and visit. Just another reason to order that Full Monty.