A tiny, beautiful village in New Zealand called Wanaka is encircled by the Southern Alps. Wanaka is a haven for adventure seekers with a ton of exciting things to do. Here are my recommendations for the top 12 activities and things to do in Wanaka!
1. Why should you visit Wanaka, New Zealand?
One of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand is the South Island’s Southern Lakes region. The famous snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes, and several adrenaline adventure activities entice tourists.
Wanaka is a more intimate and tranquil lakeside community than Queenstown, which is the most well-known. Even though Wanaka has a slower pace of life, there are still a ton of excellent things to do there, such as hiking and water sports, as well as wine tasting and dining at one of the many fantastic restaurants.
2. When is the best time to visit Wanaka?
Both the summer and the winter have a lot to offer in Wanaka. In the winter, you may snowboard while enjoying stunning lake vistas, and the eccentric movie theaters are great for getting out of the cold.
However, staying in Wanaka for a full month in the summer was even better. We had wonderful days sunbathing on lakeside beaches, swimming in the cool water, paddling about the lake on paddleboards and kayaks, strolling through lavender fields, and indulging in tons of ice cream when the temperature in January reached 30°C.
3. How to get to Wanaka
The majority of visitors come from Queenstown, which is the closest airport and is only one hour’s drive from Wanaka.
If you’re making a road trip throughout the South Island, you may continue from Wanaka to the west coast. It takes two hours to get to Haast, and it takes three to four hours to get to Fox Glacier.
Alternatively, you might take a 2.5-hour journey from the island’s center to Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo. The closest major international airport is located further out, at least a 5-hour journey away, in Christchurch.
4. What are the best activities in Wanaka?
See Wanaka Tree
One of the finest free things to do in Wanaka is to see this lone willow tree, which is the most photographed tree in New Zealand.
A short distance from Wanaka’s town center along the lakeside to Roy’s Bay is where you can find that Wanaka Tree. You’ve probably discovered it if you just keep an eye out for the crowds gathered on the lake’s edge.
The Southern Alps and Lake Wanaka are at their most beautiful during sunrise or sunset when you can see them hidden behind the tree. This location contributes to Wanaka’s reputation as one of New Zealand’s most romantic destinations. However, be ready for a sizable crowd at dusk!
Roy’s Peak hike
This renowned walk, which is not for the faint of heart, boasts the most well-known viewpoint in all of New Zealand close to its top. Due to the breathtaking view of the Southern Alps from the well-known viewpoint, Roy’s Peak Track is a favorite among Instagram enthusiasts. It is undoubtedly one of the tops walks on the South Island and among the most well-liked activities in New Zealand because of the vista. But despite how popular it may be, you have to work for that view.
A 16-kilometer (10-mile) hike to Roy’s Peak takes about 7 hours to accomplish. There isn’t much to see for most of the climb, which is largely upward, with the occasional overlook along the way. The trail is wide and well-traveled for such a steep trek, so that’s good.
Go on a tour of the Wanaka Lavender Farm
The most photogenic flower in the world, in my view, is lavender. So, as you may expect, there are countless photo options at the Wanaka Lavender Farm. The farm, which spans 20 acres, also produces delicious lavender ice cream and Lakes Honey. Additionally, there is a petting zoo on the property to keep kids entertained if you’re traveling with them.
When the lavender is in bloom, from November to the beginning of March, it is the greatest time to come. The Wanaka Lavender Farm charges $5 NZD for adults in the winter and $10 in the summer for admission.
Visit Cardrona and go skiing
Of all the ski areas in New Zealand, Cardrona Ski Resort hosts the most visitors. With its broad, expansive terrain, Cardrona is great for beginners, but it’s also a favorite of more experienced skiers.
A gondola, two high-speed quad chairlifts, and a variety of ski runs from green to black can be found at Cardrona. Be advised that Cardrona gets very busy from late June to early July during the Australian and New Zealand school holidays. It’s also important to note that much of the snow on Cardrona is artificial. For skiers who have previously skied in Canada, the United States, and some regions of Europe, this might be frustrating.
Enjoy the scenery along the Rob Roy Glacier Track
Rob Roy Glacier Track, an hour’s drive from Wanaka, is one of my favorite hikes. It’s quite simple. The opportunity to witness live glaciers, as the name implies, is the main attraction of this hike.
The Matukituki Valley is traversed on the way to the Rob Roy Hike trailhead, which is similarly beautiful.
The 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) hike is finished in roughly a half-day. With glaciers, waterfalls, and tall mountain peaks, the trail in Mount Aspiring National Park is extremely breathtaking.
Drive the Crown Range
Take the New Zealand main road that is the highest! Almost all Queenstown itineraries include a trip along Crown Range Road from Queenstown to Wanaka. This drive, which is full of tight curves and twists, is not only one of the best things to do in Wanaka and Queenstown!
Bring snow chains if you intend to drive the Crown Range during the winter, especially between May and September, as this road can get exceptionally snowy, and closures are frequent. Before leaving in the winter, you should constantly verify the conditions of Crown Range Road.
Take a skydive
In Wanaka, you have the option of a tandem skydive from 9,000 feet, 12,000 feet, or 15,000 feet, depending on how adventurous you feel. But in all seriousness, I think you’re pretty darn daring if you choose to skydive in New Zealand in the first place!
The view in Wanaka is spectacular, as I’ve already stated countless times, so what better way to see it than by leaping out of a specially constructed fixed-wing aircraft? You can see lakes, the Southern Alps, the Clutha River, and even Mount Cook from your fantastic vantage point high in the skies!
Don’t miss the scenic flight
On my beautiful trip, I was flying high over the Southern Alps, not far from Mount Cook.
Everyone’s bucket list should, in my opinion, include a helicopter flight over the Southern Alps because it allows for the exploration of remote valleys, mountain ranges, rivers, and more.
If you’re on a tight budget, you may reserve a 25-minute scenic flight that even includes an alpine landing over the nearby Wanaka region (snow is not guaranteed but is nearly always present). The starting price for this is $185 per person.
Lake paddleboarding
Why not give stand-up paddleboarding a go in Wanaka? In Wanaka, you may hire boards right on the lakeshore or arrange a guided small-group excursion to see the Southern Alps up close. In Mt. Aspiring National Park, you can paddleboard the secluded Matukituki and Makarora Rivers if you’re traveling alone. Alternatively, you can choose to travel a little further.
Or, if you’re more experienced, you might enjoy paddling along New Zealand’s greatest river, the Clutha, on a paddleboard. For this, I advise getting a guide because the river can move quite quickly. A guided tour costs $249 for each individual.
Lose yourself in Puzzling World’s mazes and puzzles
The strangest attraction in Wanaka will make you think outside the box for a few hours. This maze, which has a massive 1.5 km (1 km) of corridors, is home to the Great Maze, which is very challenging to escape (trust me, it took me over an hour).
Puzzling World, which has been in Wanaka for more than 40 years, has enough activities for you to spend half a day there. It’s the ideal thing to do on a wet day. The Ames Room, which uses a trick from the renowned Lord of the Rings film series to make people appear smaller or taller than they are in real life, is another one of my favorite activities at Puzzling World. The method is referred to as forced perspective.
The cost of adult admission is $25 for the Combo Deal (Great Maze & all Illusion Rooms), and it is $18 for those who are over the age of five. Kids under 5 are not charged.
Journey to Stevensons Island
This excursion includes a luxury catamaran tour of Lake Wanaka and a stop at Stevensons Island, where you can disembark and have a quick walk to explore. You might enjoy learning about the island’s fascinating history, which extends back to the Prohibition era.
The stroll around Stevensons Island is regarded as simple and is appropriate for both young children and older people. Look at the numerous native plants and birds as you go about the island. Stevensons Island is now a bird sanctuary because there are no predators there. Don’t forget to take a picture of the lake from this unusual vantage point as well.
Mount Iron hike
Due to its height, Mount Iron rises 250 meters (164 feet) above Wanaka municipality, and its top provides breathtaking 360-degree views of the Pisa Range, Lake Wanaka, and the Southern Alps. Only 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) separate the Wanaka town center from this pleasant, quick 90-minute walking route.
From the parking lot along SH84, follow the left branch and continue uphill on the western side to the summit. You can descend via a different trail to reach Mt. Iron’s eastern side.
Mt. Iron is an upward ascent, yet it is nevertheless regarded as an easy trip that is appropriate for all levels of hikers.
