Top Things to do in Wanaka
Wanaka is a lovely holiday resort town, nestled on the banks of beautiful Lake Wanaka, just a short drive from Mount Aspiring National Park.
The scenery is beautiful here, offering a huge range of outdoor activities and places to visit - from dense forests, to domineering mountains, to the beautiful blue waters of Lake Wanaka.
1. Lake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka is New Zealand's fourth largest lake, formed by glacial erosion during the last ice age.
Activities on and around the lake include:
- Walking
- Jet boating
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Boating
- Canoeing, kayaking
- Picnics
- Guide tours
2. Mt Aspiring National Park
Mt Aspiring National Park is about an hours drive from Wanaka. New Zealand's third largest national park, here you can explore an amzing mixture of remote wilderness, high mountains and beautiful river valleys. The park is a walker's paradise.
Much of the landforms were created by ancient glaciation, and the three largest of the 100 glaciers in the region, flank Mt. Aspiring itself.
Activities in the park include:
- Walking, hiking
- Mountaineering
- Rock climbing
- Ski touring, ice climbing
- Mountain biking
- Camping
- Hunting
- Jet boating
- Fishing
- Canoeing, kayaking
- Picnics
- Guide tours
Visit the Department of Conservation website to find out more.
3. Skiing & Snowboarding
Wanaka is home to several world-class ski fields. Each ski field provides a range of facilities, such as easy slopes for beginners, ski and snowboard hire, lifts and cafe. Some provide accommodation.
Ski fields around Wanaka include:
- Treble Cone Ski Field
- Cardrona Alpine Resort
- Snow Park
- Snow Farm
Nearby in Queenstown, there is also the Remarkables Ski Field.
4. Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World
Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World is a fun, family attraction located amoungst 7 acres of beautiful countryside. This unique attraction specialises in puzzling eccentricity, entertaining and amazing visitors of all ages.
Puzzling World offers the world's first "3-D" Great Maze, incredible Illusion Rooms, a Puzzle Centre/Cafe, large Gift Shop, eccentric architecture and the intriguing Psychic Challenge.
5. Explore the Wonderland at Makarora
A windy 45 minute drive from Wanaka takes you past Lake Hawea and the northern tip of Lake Wanaka to the beautiful, remote wonderland of Makarora. Explore Mt Aspiring National Park, climb aboard a scenic flight or go jet boating.
