From dramatic blue lakes to a backdrop of rugged mountain ranges, Lake Wanaka’s spectacular landscape is the setting for a superb range of outdoor activities.

An inspiring place to relax in perfectly tranquil surroundings, Lake Wanaka also offers adventure activities from horse-riding to awe-inspiring scenic flights. The lake that forms a stunning scenic backdrop to the town of Wanaka is also its playground – the perfect place to hire a boat and explore.

Lake Wanaka is beautiful in any season – the fresh greens of spring; long, sunny summer days; the rich golds of autumn; and clear, frosty winters.  Sunny summer days are spent on the waterfront and walking in the mountains, while skiers and snowboarders flock to the town in winter to make the most of the top ski areas right around the corner.

West of Wanaka is Mount Aspiring National Park. The third largest national park in New Zealand, it is renowned for the diversity of its landscapes – from rugged forest to alpine meadows – and offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation in the crisp mountain air. A myriad of walking trails in and around the National Park, and easy scenic walks around the lake shore, offer visitors a great way to get out into the landscape and admire a stunning new vista at every bend in the trail.

Wanaka, the town at the region’s heart, is well serviced with an excellent range of accommodation to suit every budget, from backpacker hostels to luxurious resorts. The town has a lively atmosphere, with numerous restaurants, cafés, taverns and bars, so your clients can be sure of finding cuisine to suit all tastes. Visitors to this region can enjoy a glass of local wine at an al fresco café and watch the last light fall across the lakes and mountains, reflecting on life the way it should be.

Regional Highlights

Unforgettable Sights

Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea Crystal-clear Lake Wanaka is New Zealand’s fourth largest lake and is separated from Lake Hawea by a narrow strip of land known as ‘The Neck’. Views of Mount Aspiring The three-hour hike up Mount Roy offers superb views of Mt Aspiring, which soars 3,027 metres above surrounding glaciers. Haast Pass The road from Wanaka to the West Coast is only 160 kilometres long, but took more than 30 years to carve out of solid rock. Green vineyards on gold hillsides In the height of summer, the vineyards of Wanaka are a lush contrast to rugged hills.

Adrenaline Rush

Canyoning, rafting or sledging Experience the thrill of a white-water adventure on the Clutha, Hawea or Kawarau River. Flightseeing Take a scenic flight over the ruggedly majestic peaks and valleys of the Southern Alps. Jet boating Join a thrilling high-power jet boating tour racing along crystal-clear rivers. Skydiving Leap into the landscape with a tandem skydive into spectacular scenery. Skiing or snowboarding During the winter season, the Wanaka region offers the largest area of skiable terrain in Australasia.

Relax & Indulge

Cinema Paradiso Recapture the magic of the movies at this unforgettable boutique cinema. www.paradiso.net.nz Oakridge Resort Grand Mercure Soak in a hot pool in the beautifully landscaped grounds of this resort hotel. www.oakridge.co.nz Golf Enjoy a round of golf at the Wanaka Golf Course and enjoy the sunshine and fantastic scenery.

Luxury

Whare Kea Lodge and Chalet An intimate and sophisticated alpine haven. www.wharekealodge.com Tiritiri Lodge Sumptuous boutique lodge accommodation in an architecturally designed, environmentally sensitive building. www.tiritirilodge.com

Culture

New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum Home to an amazing collection of airworthy WWII fighter aircraft. www.nzfpm.co.nz Wanaka Transport & Toy Museum Over 14,000 historic transport items – including over 200 vehicles and 9,000 toys – makes this New Zealand’s largest display of toys. www.wanakatransportandtoymuseum.com

Natural New Zealand

Hiking The region around Lake Wanaka and Mount Aspiring National Park offers a superb selection of scenic walks and hiking trails. Fly fishing Stalk wild Brown and Rainbow Trout with professional guides in the beautiful lakes and rivers that surround Wanaka. Trips range from two days to a whole week. www.southernriversflyfishing.co.nz Mt Aspiring National Park Straddling the southern end of the Southern Alps mountain range, this National Park includes high mountains (Mt Aspiring is the only peak over 3,000 metres outside Mount Cook National Park) and valleys carved out by ancient glaciers. www.doc.govt.nz

On a Budget

Stuart Landsborough’s Puzzling World Explore the unique three-dimensional mazes and mind-altering puzzles. www.puzzlingworld.co.nz Cinema Paradiso Catch a movie in this movie theatre with a difference. www.paradiso.net.nz Lakefront walk Pack a picnic lunch and take a stroll around the shores of Lake Wanaka or Lake Hawea for beautiful views.

The Iconic Experience

Hiking in the stunning alpine scenery of Mount Aspiring National Park through rainforest-clad valleys or across alpine meadows.

Dining & Shopping

Exclusive Dining

Missys Kitchen Exceptional dining with stunning lake and mountain views. www.missyskitchen.co.nz

Casual Dining

Uncle Mikes BBQ Classic take on American-style barbeque ribs, beef and roasts. www.unclemikesbbq.co.nz

Café

Kai Whakapai Café & Bar Experience culinary wizardry while you enjoy the view. www.kaiwanaka.co.nz

Stylish Bar

UNO Contemporary, slick design with the bonus of a world-class view from the balcony, phone +64 3 443 4911.

Cosy Pub

Cardrona Hotel & Restaurant Established in 1863 this is one of New Zealand’s oldest establishments. www.cardronahotel.co.nz

Culinary Experience

Venus Coffee Roasters Try Wanaka’s only freshly roasted coffee. www.venuscoffee.co.nz

Shop or Gallery

Gallery Thirty Three Art gallery featuring contemporary New Zealand artists. www.gallery33.co.nz

SuggestedItineraries

2-day Wanaka Adventure

Start Wanaka  I  Finish Wanaka
Start the first day with a jet boating trip up Matukituki Valley or down the River Clutha, then go mountain biking in Sticky Forest – stopping for a picnic lunch along the way. In the afternoon, experience a tandem skydive and then walk up Mount Iron to watch the sunset. On Day 2, try white-water sledging, then walk to Rob Roy Glacier before heading to Post Office Lane to enjoy some of Wanaka’s vibrant night life.

5-day Wanaka combo

Start Wanaka  I  Finish Wanaka
Day 1 Lake cruise to Mao Wahu Island, Wanaka
Day 2 Golf and wine tasting, Wanaka
Day 3 Quad biking and scenic flight, Wanaka
Day 4 Walk up Mount Roy and visit Stuart Landsborough’s Puzzling World, Wanaka
Day 5 Massage and kayaking, Wanaka
On Day 1, take a lake cruise to Mao Wahu Island and enjoy a picnic lunch by the lake. In the afternoon, indulge in a spa treatment. Begin Day 2 with a round of golf, then head to one of the local vineyards for wine tasting and a vineyard lunch. In the afternoon, explore the shops and cafés of Wanaka. Relax at Oakridge Resort Grand Mercure before dinner. For Day 3, try quad biking on the Pisa Range and stop for lunch at an historic hotel. In the afternoon, take a scenic flight. Finish the day with dinner and a movie at Cinema Paradiso. On Day 4, walk up Mount Roy and later on visit Stuart Landsborough’s Puzzling World. Enjoy an evening BBQ on the beach. On Day 5, indulge in a massage and spa treatment. Spend the afternoon kayaking on the Matukituki River.

Road Trip

Haast Pass Drive through the pass from Wanaka to the West Coast – it took 30 years to carve the pass out of solid rock.

Transport

Airports

Wanaka Airport offers direct flights from Christchurch International Airport. Queenstown Airport, just 90 minutes from Wanaka – offers domestic flights and an international service from Australia.

Roads

Wanaka is six hours, 30 minutes from Christchurch and one hour, 30 minutes from Queenstown. Several coach companies provide regular services.

Further Information

Lake Wanaka Tourism

PO Box 147, Wanaka
Phone +64 3 443 1574
Email info@lakewanaka.co.nz
www.lakewanaka.co.nz

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