The town is nestled below the northern end of the Criffel Range of mountains.

The Luggate 'Grandview Bridge' is a local icon listed highly in the Queenstown Lakes District Council's Historic Register.

It was opened on October 28, 1915, and has been described as "one of the most attractively proportioned steel truss road bridges in the country.

Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 69.0% had no religion, 20.9% were Christian, 0.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% were Hindu, 0.6% were Buddhist and 0.6% had other religions.

[5] The Upper Clutha Valley statistical area also includes Hāwea Flat and covers 159.80 km2 (61.70 sq mi).

Before the 2023 census, Upper Clutha Valley had a larger boundary, covering 161.07 km2 (62.19 sq mi).