New Zealand · Region
Wanaka
Photo: Yogi de at en.wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Wanaka sits on the edge of its namesake lake, ringed by the Southern Alps and backed by ski fields at Cardrona and Treble Cone. It has grown from a quiet lakeside town into one of New Zealand's most popular bases for hiking, mountain biking, skiing and lake-based adventure, all without the bigger crowds of nearby Queenstown.
Top attractions
attraction Puzzling World: Wanaka Travel Guide (4.5★)
Puzzling World in Wanaka is a puzzle and illusion attraction about 2 km east of the town centre on the Wanaka-Luggate Highway. 4.5★ (6,135 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Wānaka Willow Tree: Wanaka Travel Guide (4.4★)
The Wānaka Willow Tree stands in the shallows of Roys Bay in Wānaka, a short flat walk west along the lakefront from the town centre, with Mount Aspiring Road parking a few minutes away. 4.4★ (7,132 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Top-rated things to do in Wanaka
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Where to stay in Wanaka
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Plan your trip to Wanaka
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Frequently asked questions about Wanaka
How do I get to Wanaka?
Most travellers fly into Queenstown Airport (ZQN), New Zealand's nearest major gateway, then continue to Wanaka by rental car, shuttle or bus, a journey of about ~1 hour via the Crown Range Road or ~1 hour 15 minutes via Cromwell. Wanaka also has its own small regional airport used mainly for scenic and charter flights, not scheduled commercial routes.
How many days should I spend in Wanaka?
Allow ~2 to 4 days to take in the lakefront, a short hike or mountain bike trail and at least one day trip into the surrounding mountains or wine country.
What is Wanaka known for?
Wanaka sits on the edge of its namesake lake, ringed by the Southern Alps and backed by ski fields at Cardrona and Treble Cone. It has grown from a quiet lakeside town into one of New Zealand's most popular bases for hiking, mountain biking, skiing and lake-based adventure, all without the bigger crowds of nearby Queenstown.