About Wanaka

Just 50 minutes’ drive from Queenstown over the magnificent Crown Range, Wanaka perfectly complements neighbouring Queenstown.

Lake Wanaka, New Zealand is a beautiful year-round destination, set against the alpine backdrop of Mount Aspiring National Park.

Downtown Wanaka is home to a vibrant mix of restaurants, cafes, shops and plenty of ambient areas to relax and enjoy the amazing scenery. The fishing is superb, there’s a multitude of adventure activities on offer and anywhere you walk you’ll find breath-taking scenery and wide open spaces.

Wine tasting, a mind boggling puzzling attraction and viewing classic warplanes are among other popular adventures offered in Wanaka all year-round. If you plan a visit during Easter, make sure you attend the biennial Warbirds over Wanaka air show, which attracts fighter planes from around the world for a fascinating three day spectacular.

Winter in Wanaka

In winter Wanaka is a snow lover’s paradise. Skiers and snowboarders enjoy two world class ski resorts within 40 minutes’ drive of downtown Wanaka, with Treble Cone Ski Area and Cardrona Alpine Resort. Those seeking a more relaxed mountain pace head to New Zealand’s only cross country ski area at Snow Farm, also located in the Cardrona valley.

Summer in Wanaka

In summer Wanaka is a favourite playground for New Zealand families and is home to sun-seekers and boating enthusiasts throughout the long, hot Central Otago summer. Lakeside camping grounds provide get-away holidays for all ages. Cruises, windsurfing, wakeboarding and water skiing are favourite lake activities, while closer to the township you can experience horse trekking, skydiving, 4WD motor-biking or eco rafting.

Wanaka also attracts hikers, mountaineers, kayakers, rock-climbers, heli-bikers and day walkers from around the world who revel in the area’s natural attributes and the relaxed friendly atmosphere of the town.