Wanaka is a spectacular alpine destination in New Zealand’s South Island, known for its lakefront scenery, outdoor adventures, and access to some of the country’s most breathtaking mountain landscapes. Set beside the clear waters of Lake Wanaka and framed by the Southern Alps, the region has become one of New Zealand’s most popular destinations for hiking, cycling, skiing, scenic flights, and year-round outdoor experiences.
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Wanaka – Alpine Lakes, Mountain Landscapes & Outdoor Adventures in New Zealand’s Southern Lakes
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Wanaka is one of New Zealand’s most scenic alpine destinations, located beside the crystal-clear waters of Lake Wanaka and surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps. Known for its relaxed atmosphere and outdoor lifestyle, Wanaka offers hiking, cycling, scenic flights, lake cruises, and skiing, while also providing easy access to nearby South Island destinations including Queenstown, Mt Cook, Lake Tekapo, and Fiordland.
Things to do in Wanaka
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Popular in Wanaka
from NZ $388.00
20 mins
from NZ $349.00
2 hours 
from NZ $139.00
1 Hours 
Puzzling World COMBO admission
Challenge yourself, family and friends to a race around The Great Maze.
from NZ $32.50
Activities and Attractions in Wanaka
Express Wine Tour and Māori Culture Wānaka
The only Māori culture and history immersive in Queenstown and Wānaka on a wine tour.
from NZ $175.00
2 hours 28 mins
Happy Hour Cruise
Take a luxury catamaran cruise amid the outstanding natural beauty of Lake Wanaka
from NZ $69.00
1 hour
Boutique Wine Tour
Up to 20 Tastings of award winning, hand-picked Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Rose
from NZ $246.00
3 Hours 30 Mins 
from NZ $70.00
1 Hours 
Winter Intro to Rock Climbing
Reach new heights with our introductory rock climbing experience
from NZ $299.00
6 Hours 
Bike The Lake Dunstan Trail With A Return Lux...
A brilliant one day experience including bikes and shuttles
from NZ $150.00
6 Hours 
from NZ $950.00
1 Hours 
The Gold Discovery Trail Horse Trek
Ride a horse through the river & up into the hills in The Cardrona sunrise!
from NZ $499.00
2 hours 
from NZ $395.00
8 hours 
from NZ $390.00
8 hours 
Franz Josef to Queenstown via Wanaka
The stunning Lake Matheson - a photographers dream!
from NZ $290.00
12 Hours 
from NZ $35.00
1 Hours 
Wild Hills Off Road Safari
Get behind the scenes of a genuine New Zealand High Country farm – West Wanaka Station
from NZ $260.00
4 hours 30 mins
Heli Max Jet Combo
Embark on an epic 25-minute helicopter flight into the impressive Mount Aspiring National Park
from NZ $925.00
2 Hours 
Dingleburn Discovery
Thrilling backroad blasted by hand into a shear rock face 60m above Lake Hawea
from NZ $279
5 hours 
from NZ $675.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $399.00
4 Hours 
from NZ $325
6 hours 
Lord of the Rungs Waterfall Climb - Level 1
Climb 150m (500ft) vertical alongside cascading waterfalls
from NZ $205.00
3 Hours 
from NZ $295.00
3 Hours 30 Mins 
The High Country Pub Trail Horse Trek (Interm...
Ride a horse up the mountain to the pub!
from NZ $599.00
3 hours 30 mins
from NZ $290.00
12 Hours 
Heli Jet Combo
Cruise over the tops of the Southern Alps to land in the remote Siberia Valley
from NZ $695.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $420.00
9 Hours 
from NZ $30
1 hours 
Bike The Wanaka And Hawea Trails - Luxury Shu...
A great way to see the area - follows local trails and rivers - surrounded by Mountains
from NZ $125.00
7 Hours 
from NZ $749
4 hours 
from NZ $89.00
2 hours
from NZ $389.00
5 Hours 
from NZ $235.00
1 Hours 
Tandem Paragliding - All Year Round - Treble ...
Stunning views of Mt Aspiring and the Southern Alps
from NZ $369.00
1 hours 
Heli Siberia Max
Embark on an epic 25-minute helicopter flight into the impressive Mount Aspiring National Park
from NZ $925.00
5 Hours 
from NZ $695.00
4 Hours 
from NZ $135.00
3
Ultimate Lake Dunstan Trail Experience Bike &...
A brilliant one day experience including bikes, shuttles and boat
from NZ $280.00
6 Hours 
from NZ $499.00
5 Hours 
Full day Intro to Rock Climbing
Reach new heights with our introductory rock climbing experience
from NZ $699.00
8 Hours 
from NZ $590
4 hours Find your perfect Wanaka experience
Travel Guides
Frequently Asked Questions about Wanaka
How many days should I spend in Wanaka?
For Wanaka, 2 to 3 days is ideal to enjoy the area’s highlights fully. This allows time to explore Lake Wanaka and its waterfront, hike iconic trails like Roy’s Peak or Rob Roy Glacier, visit Puzzling World for family-friendly fun, and experience nearby attractions such as Mount Aspiring National Park. If you enjoy outdoor adventures like cycling, kayaking, or skiing (in winter), adding an extra day can give you a more relaxed pace to experience everything Wanaka has to offer.
Where is Wanaka located?
Wanaka is located in the Otago region of New Zealand’s South Island, at the southern end of Lake Wanaka. It sits between the Southern Alps and the lake, offering stunning mountain and lake scenery. The town is about 278 km (around 3.5–4 hours by road) from Queenstown, making it a popular destination for both scenic drives and outdoor adventures.
Is Wanaka family-friendly?
Yes, Wanaka is family-friendly and offers a variety of activities that cater to all ages. Families can enjoy the Scenic Trial Flight and Lakeland Jet Boat for exciting aerial and water adventures, or explore nature with the Rob Roy Glacier Experience. For fun and interactive experiences, Puzzling World COMBO admission is a hit with children, while older kids and adults may enjoy the Siberia Experience and The High Country Pub Trail Horse Trek. Other unique experiences like the Happy Hour Cruise and The Sauna Wānaka offer memorable ways to relax and enjoy the stunning surroundings together.
What is Wanaka best known for?
Wanaka is best known for its stunning lake and mountain scenery, outdoor adventures, and family-friendly attractions. Visitors can enjoy activities on Lake Wanaka such as swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding, hike iconic trails like Roy’s Peak and Rob Roy Glacier Track, or visit unique attractions like Puzzling World. The town is also a gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park and offers adventure activities including jet boating, horse trekking, and scenic flights, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and families.
How do I get to Wanaka?
You can get to Wanaka by car, bus, or plane. By car, it’s about 3.5–4 hours from Queenstown via State Highway 6, or around 5–6 hours from Christchurch. Bus and shuttle services run regularly from Queenstown, Queenstown Airport, and Christchurch. While Wanaka has a small airport mainly for scenic and charter flights, most visitors fly into Queenstown Airport and then drive or take a shuttle to reach Wanaka.
Tourist Information About Wanaka
Lake Wanaka Cruises and Water Activities
Lake Wanaka is the centrepiece of the region and one of the most photographed lakes in New Zealand. Surrounded by mountains and fed by glacial waters, the lake offers a wide variety of scenic and adventure-based experiences throughout the year. Visitors can explore the lake by cruise, kayak, paddleboard, jet boat, or scenic flight, with many activities showcasing the dramatic alpine landscapes that make Wanaka famous.
Scenic lake cruises are one of the most relaxing ways to experience the area, travelling past secluded bays, mountain backdrops, and islands including Mou Waho Island, known for its walking tracks and native birdlife. During warmer months, water sports become increasingly popular, with paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming offering a quieter way to experience the lakefront environment.
Lake Wanaka also plays a major role in the wider atmosphere of the town itself. Cafés, walking paths, lakeside dining, and open waterfront spaces create a relaxed alpine setting that feels very different from larger tourism centres. Combined with nearby destinations including Queenstown, Fiordland, and Mt Cook, Lake Wanaka forms part of one of New Zealand’s most iconic South Island travel routes.
Wanaka Food, Wine & Relaxed Alpine Experiences
Beyond its outdoor adventures, Wanaka is also known for its relaxed alpine lifestyle, lakeside dining, boutique cafés, and access to Central Otago’s world-famous wine region. The town has developed a strong reputation for combining nature and adventure with high-quality food, local produce, and scenic vineyard experiences.
Nearby wineries and cellar doors offer wine tastings surrounded by mountain landscapes and river valleys, particularly around the wider Central Otago region known internationally for Pinot Noir production. Many visitors combine cycling or scenic touring with vineyard experiences and wine and food tours, creating a slower-paced side to Wanaka travel that balances the region’s more adventurous activities.
Wanaka’s lakeside setting also contributes heavily to its atmosphere. Open waterfront spaces, walking paths, local markets, and mountain views create a relaxed environment that encourages visitors to stay longer and explore more of the surrounding region. Whether visiting during summer or winter, Wanaka offers a balance of outdoor experiences and alpine relaxation that continues to make it one of New Zealand’s most desirable South Island destinations.
Wanaka Hiking Trails, Alpine Walks & Mountain Landscapes
Wanaka is one of New Zealand’s premier hiking destinations, attracting visitors from around the world with its alpine scenery, mountain viewpoints, and access to some of the South Island’s most iconic walking and hiking trails. The region is best known for Roys Peak Track, where panoramic views stretch across Lake Wanaka, surrounding valleys, and the Southern Alps. Nearby walks including Mount Iron, Isthmus Peak, and trails within Mount Aspiring National Park offer a mix of short scenic walks and more challenging alpine adventures.
One of the reasons hiking is so popular in Wanaka is the accessibility of the landscapes. Many walking trails begin only minutes from the town centre, allowing visitors to combine outdoor adventure with the relaxed lakeside atmosphere Wanaka is known for. Seasonal changes also transform the scenery throughout the year, from golden autumn colours to snow-covered alpine peaks during winter.
Beyond the famous summit hikes, the wider Wanaka region also offers riverside trails, native forest walks, glacier-carved valleys, and scenic lookouts that showcase the dramatic geography of the Southern Lakes region. Many visitors combine hiking with photography, scenic flights, or nearby road trips to Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo, creating one of the most visually spectacular travel experiences in New Zealand.
Scenic Drives From Wanaka to Mt Cook, Queenstown & Fiordland
Wanaka is perfectly positioned for exploring some of the South Island’s most spectacular scenic routes and nearby destinations. Many travellers use Wanaka as a central base for road trips connecting Queenstown, Mt Cook, Lake Tekapo, and Fiordland, with each route offering completely different landscapes and travel experiences.
The drive toward Mt Cook takes visitors through the Mackenzie Basin and past turquoise alpine lakes, braided rivers, and snow-capped mountain scenery. Heading toward Queenstown reveals dramatic mountain passes, vineyards, and lakeside roads that showcase the beauty of Central Otago and the Southern Lakes region. Further southwest, journeys into Fiordland and Milford Sound pass through remote wilderness areas, rainforest landscapes, and glacier-shaped valleys recognised as some of the most scenic environments in the world.
These surrounding regions are one of the reasons Wanaka has become such an important destination within New Zealand travel itineraries. Instead of functioning as an isolated town, Wanaka connects naturally with some of the country’s most iconic tourism regions, making it ideal for visitors planning extended South Island journeys filled with alpine landscapes, outdoor adventure, and scenic exploration.
Wanaka Skiing, Winter Activities & Snow Experiences
Wanaka transforms into one of New Zealand’s leading winter destinations during the colder months, offering access to ski fields, alpine scenery, snow sports, and seasonal outdoor adventures. Located close to Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone, Wanaka provides some of the best skiing and snowboarding experiences in the South Island, attracting both international visitors and local winter travellers.
The region’s winter appeal goes well beyond skiing alone. Snow-covered mountain landscapes, scenic drives, alpine hiking trails, and lakeside views create a completely different atmosphere compared to the warmer summer months. Many visitors choose Wanaka for its balance of adventure and relaxation, where days on the ski slopes can be combined with cafés, restaurants, spas, and scenic sightseeing.
Winter is also one of the best times to experience the wider Southern Lakes region, with road trips connecting Wanaka to Queenstown, Mt Cook, Lake Tekapo, and Fiordland through dramatic alpine scenery. Clear winter skies and snowy peaks create some of the most photogenic landscapes in New Zealand, making Wanaka a popular destination for both adventure travellers and scenic touring itineraries.
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