Wanaka, New Zealand: travel guide
A relaxed alpine-lake town near Mount Aspiring National Park, famous for #ThatWanakaTree, the Roys Peak hike and easy access to skiing at Cardrona and Treble Cone. A quieter alternative to Queenstown.
- Country
- New Zealand
- Currency
- NZD
- Time zone
- Pacific/Auckland
- Nearest airport
- ZQN
Top places to visit in Wanaka
That Wanaka Tree
Viewpoint · about 0.5 h
The world's most photographed willow, growing straight out of Lake Wanaka against a mountain backdrop.
Puzzling World
Activity · about 2 h
A quirky world of tilted rooms, holograms and a giant 3D maze on the edge of town.
Lake Wanaka
Nature · about 1 h
A serene glacial lake ringed by mountains, perfect for lakeside strolls, swimming and kayaking.
Mount Aspiring National Park
Nature · about 8 h
A vast World Heritage wilderness of glaciers, beech forest and the pyramid peak of Tititea/Mount Aspiring.
Rob Roy Glacier Track
Nature · about 5 h
A rewarding valley walk through beech forest to a hanging glacier framed by waterfalls in Mount Aspiring NP.
Glendhu Bay
Beach · about 1.5 h
A tranquil pebbled bay west of town with the finest views of Mount Aspiring across the water.
Roys Peak Track
Viewpoint · about 6 h
A demanding but iconic zig-zag climb to a knife-edge ridge with the classic aerial view over Lake Wanaka and its islands.
Rippon Vineyard
Activity · about 1 h
A biodynamic vineyard on a natural amphitheatre above the lake, offering one of NZ's most scenic tastings.
Blue Pools (Makarora)
Nature · about 1.5 h
A short forest walk and swing bridge to startlingly blue glacier-fed pools on the Makarora River.
Cardrona Bra Fence
Heritage · about 0.3 h
A famously eccentric rural fence festooned with thousands of bras, on the historic Crown Range road.
Mount Iron Track
Viewpoint · about 1.5 h
A short, popular loop climb to a rocky summit with 360-degree views over Wanaka, the lake and the Clutha basin.
Diamond Lake & Rocky Mountain
Viewpoint · about 3 h
A tiered walk from a small lake to a summit lookout with soaring views of Lake Wanaka and Glendhu Bay.
Things to do
- Roys Peak Guided Sunrise Hike Hiking · 7 h · from NZD 149 per person
- Skydive Wanaka 15,000ft Adventure · 3 h · from NZD 439 per person
- Mou Waho Island Lake Cruise Nature · 4 h · from NZD 149 per person
- Rippon Vineyard Wine Tasting Food · 1.5 h · from NZD 45 per person
- Cardrona Alpine Experience Adventure · 5 h · from NZD 129 per person
- Puzzling World Illusion Experience Family · 2 h · from NZD 28 per person
Day trips and tours
- Wanaka Highlights & Wine Day Tour 7 h · from NZD 189
Where to stay in Wanaka
- Wanaka Town Centre & Lakefront about NZD 240 per night
The relaxed heart of Wanaka on the lake, walkable to cafes, the cinema and #ThatWanakaTree.
Hotels
- Lakeside Apartments Wanaka 4.5-star · NZD 260 to NZD 420 per night
- Te Wanaka Lodge 4-star · NZD 220 to NZD 340 per night
- Wanaka Bakpaka 3-star · NZD 40 to NZD 140 per night
- Edgewater Hotel 4-star · NZD 220 to NZD 360 per night
- Wyndham Wanaka 4-star · NZD 240 to NZD 380 per night
- Oakridge Resort Wanaka 4-star · NZD 220 to NZD 380 per night
Where to eat
- Francesca's Italian Kitchen Italian · about NZD 55 per person
- Kika Modern New Zealand, Small Plates · about NZD 90 per person
- Bistro Gentil French · about NZD 95 per person
- Big Fig Modern New Zealand, Healthy · about NZD 30 per person
- Federal Diner Cafe · about NZD 28 per person
- Relishes Cafe Modern New Zealand, Cafe · about NZD 52 per person
- Ritual Cafe Cafe · about NZD 22 per person
- Burrito Craft Mexican · about NZD 25 per person
Getting around
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Shuttle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Trailhead car break-ins
Roys Peak and remote car parks
Opportunistic thieves target cars left at popular but isolated hiking car parks.
How to avoid it: Leave nothing of value in the car and lock all bags out of sight.