Wanaka
An alpine paradise.
Wanaka offers an amazing array of holiday activities for holiday-makers and visitors. Situated at the southern tip of Lake Wanaka, it has a population of around 4000 people that swells in the tourist seasons to around 20,000.
Activities and Attractions
Wanaka winter activities include skiing, snowboarding, skydiving, paragliding, and snow-mobiling, while in summer swimming, boating, water-skiing, jet-boating, white water-rafting, 4WD safaris, fishing, horse-riding, paragliding, sailing, golfing and tennis are available. Walks around Wanaka and in Mt Aspiring National Park are popular all year round.
Those looking for a more relaxed holiday can enjoy the arts and crafts; the many beauty spots and attractions such as Eely Point Reserve, Glendhu Bay and Mou Waho Lake; the Transport Museum; and Puzzling World with its amazing maze.
Wanaka is also the gateway to Mt Aspiring National Park, the ski-fields of Treble Cone and Cardrona and the Snow Farm and Snow Park. Over 2,500 square kilometres of terrain is at our doorstep, offering Nordic skiing, Heli-skiing and Heli-boarding.
Every year Wanaka celebrates with an international show. On alternate years at Easter the New Zealand Fighter Pilot's Museum hosts "Warbirds Over Wanaka", an air show which draws visitors from throughout the world, and the "Festival of Colour", a celebration of the visual and performing arts.
The Rippon festival hosted by the famous Rippon Winery celebrates every year a festival for New Zealand bands set in the natural amphitheatre overlooking lake Wanaka, which draws a wide variety of visitors from all over the country.
Wanaka is also a great base for exploring further afield. Up to an hour's drive away is the bustling adventure playground of Queenstown, Alexandra with its Blossom Festival, historic and picturesque Arrowtown, and many award-winning Central Otago wineries where you can taste wine and dine out.
