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Otago · New Zealand
A town on the shore of Lake Wānaka, surrounded by mountains, with the Roys Peak trail, the tree growing in the lake, the Rob Roy Glacier and two ski areas nearby.
In the photo: That Wānaka Tree on Lake Wānaka
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Wānaka sits at the southern end of Lake Wānaka, about an hour from Queenstown via the Crown Range mountain road. The town has grown considerably and now exceeds 13,000 residents, but it retains a quieter pace than its neighbor, with the town center and waterfront facing the lake and the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park in the background.
The lake is the focal point of everything. On the shore near the center, a willow that grows in the water, known as That Wānaka Tree, has become one of the most photographed images in the country. The waterfront has pebble beaches, walking and cycling trails, and boat and kayak trips to the lake’s islands.
The surrounding mountains offer some of the South Island’s best-known hikes. Roys Peak, at 1,578 meters, climbs open slopes to a ridge with views over the lake and Mount Aspiring (Tititea), at 3,033 meters. In the Matukituki Valley, about an hour by road, the Rob Roy Glacier track leads through forest to a hanging glacier. The national park, established in 1964, is part of Te Wāhipounamu, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
In winter, Wānaka is a base for the Cardrona and Treble Cone ski areas. The town also hosts the Warbirds over Wanaka airshow every two years, and has indoor attractions for rainy days such as Puzzling World, with a maze and optical illusion rooms.
This destination brings together 1 city: Wanaka.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Boundaries: Stats NZ / geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Aeroporto de Queenstown (ZQN), in Frankton · 60 km to Wanaka
✈ Aeroporto de Wānaka (WKA) · 10 km to Wanaka
The nearest airport with regular flights is Queenstown, about 1 hour via the Crown Range or 1.5 hours via Cromwell. Long-distance buses link Wānaka with Queenstown, Christchurch and the West Coast via the Haast Pass.
The local experience
Willow that grows in Lake Wānaka, near the shore adjacent to the town center, with the mountains in the background. It is one of New Zealand’s most photographed landscapes.
Mountain 1,578 meters above Lake Wānaka, with a steep trail up open slopes to a ridge lookout above the lake and Mount Aspiring. Closed from October 1 to November 10.
Trail in the Matukituki Valley, in Mount Aspiring National Park, that climbs through beech forest to a lookout in front of a hanging glacier, with waterfalls on the rock face.
Hill on the edge of Wānaka with a circular trail of about an hour and a half to the top, offering 360-degree views of Lakes Wānaka and Hāwea, the Clutha River valley and surrounding mountains.
Attraction established in 1973 on Wānaka’s outskirts, featuring a large outdoor maze, rooms of optical illusions, a tilted house and a leaning tower at 53 degrees.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From December to March, with long dry days, for the lake and the trails. Autumn, in April and May, turns the waterfront trees colorful. June to September is ski season. The Roys Peak track is closed from October 1 to November 10, during sheep lambing season.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Three days: one for the lake, the tree and Mount Iron; one for Roys Peak or the Rob Roy Glacier; and one for Puzzling World and the region’s wineries. In winter, add ski days.
The town center on the lakeshore leaves restaurants, the waterfront and the tree within walking distance. The neighborhoods on the surrounding slopes have lake views. Albert Town, about 5 km away, is quieter.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Wānaka is quieter, with trails and the lake as its focus; Queenstown has more nightlife, adventure activities and flights. The two are about an hour apart, and many people split their stay between them.
Three days allow you to see the lake, do a long hike such as Roys Peak or the Rob Roy, and take a lighter excursion. In winter, add ski days.
From October 1 to November 10, during sheep lambing season, because part of the track crosses farming land. Confirm the dates before you go.
It’s very helpful for reaching hikes like Roys Peak and the Rob Roy, and for the ski areas. The town center and waterfront are walkable, and there is transport to the ski areas in season.
December to March for trails and the lake; April and May for autumn colors; June to September for skiing.
