Wānaka Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Lake Hawea featuring mountains and a lake or waterhole
Wānaka
Lake Wanaka showing a sunset, mountains and a lake or waterhole
Wānaka
Wānaka

Nestled beneath a mountainous national park on the shores of beautiful Lake Wanaka, this resort town offers skiing in winter, water sports in summer and stunning scenery all year.

Wanaka, in the Otago region on New Zealand’s South Island, is a year-round hub of outdoor activities and breathtaking natural beauty. The lake town is set beneath Mount Aspiring National Park, which is part of the majestic Southern Alps. Come to this picturesque part of the country to hike, ski, fish and skydive, among other activities. Visit one of the acclaimed wineries nearby for those days when you just want to relax in the glorious outdoors.

Choose from ski slopes for every level of skier at Wanaka. Ski season runs from June to October, when you can enjoy 50 kilometres (25 miles) of cross-country ski area in the Mount Pisa ranges. Wanaka is an easy half-hour drive from Treble Cone, where you can test your skills on a vertical rise with stunning views over the lake. Shuttle buses run to the popular Cardrona slopes a little farther away.

During the warmer months the inviting waters of Lake Wanaka are a perfect spot for wakeboarding, sailing, waterskiing and trout fishing. Take a sailboat to Mou Waho Island, where you’ll be approached by New Zealand’s friendliest bird, the flightless weka. Hire a kayak or sailing boat to help you find a secluded beach along the lake’s shore.

Adrenaline junkies can take a jet boat tour, or go canyoning through forested waterfalls. Skydive over the lake and snow-capped peaks or take a scenic helicopter ride. Look for familiar scenes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, as this area was used as a location during filming of the popular movie series.

Take a wine tour to taste the fare of several nearby vineyards. Enjoy incredible views as you sip your pinot noir. Sample some Lake Wanaka trout at the wide choice of restaurants or head to one of the bars for cocktails by the fire.

Great attractions for families include the Wanaka National Transport and Toy Museum and Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World.

Wanaka is a 60-minute drive from Queenstown. Catch a shuttle bus or hire a car. Tour operators organise ski and adventure packages that make getting around easy.

Edgewater
Edgewater
4.5 out of 5
54 Sargood Drive, Wanaka
The price is NZ$299 per night from 11 July to 12 July
NZ$299
11 July - 12 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Wānaka. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"Stayed one night at Edgewater and wished we could have stayed longer. Stayed in a 1 bedroom suite a d had everything we needed including washer dryer machine. Great views out across lawn and short walk to lake. Will stay next time we visit for sure!"

Reviewed on 9 Jun. 2025

Edgewater
Wanaka Hotel
Wanaka Hotel
3 out of 5
71 Ardmore Street, Wanaka
The price is NZ$244 per night from 22 July to 23 July
NZ$244
22 July - 23 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Wānaka. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (676 reviews)
Excellent ust service and a comfortable and clean.
"An old hotel but well maintained. Noise from room above disturbed sleep. Convenient for town and the lake with a partial view of the mountains. Parking and WiFi were excellent."

Reviewed on 25 Apr. 2025

Wanaka Hotel
Archway Motel & Chalets
Archway Motel & Chalets
3 out of 5
64 Hedditch Street, Wanaka
The price is NZ$255 per night from 9 July to 10 July
NZ$255
9 July - 10 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star motel in Wānaka. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Wānaka ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (356 reviews)
Great location
"Great location and room had everything we needed."

Reviewed on 3 Jul. 2025

Archway Motel & Chalets
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Alpine Motel
Alpine Motel
3.5 out of 5
7 Ardmore Street, Wanaka
Stay at this 3.5-star golf aparthotel in Wānaka. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (687 reviews)
"Good value"

Reviewed on 30 May 2025

Alpine Motel
Clearbrook Motels Wanaka
Clearbrook Motels Wanaka
4 out of 5
72 Helwick Street, corner Upton Street, Wanaka
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Wānaka. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (399 reviews)
"I was not sure what to expect, but we were happy with our choice. When we arrived we upgraded to a one bedroom from a junior. The extra space was nice. A big plus - washer and dryer and soap provided. The location is also perfect for roaming rhe town on foot."

Reviewed on 13 Jun. 2025

Clearbrook Motels Wanaka
Wanaka Luxury Apartments
Wanaka Luxury Apartments
5 out of 5
8 Stonebrook Drive, Wanaka
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Wānaka. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions That Wānaka Tree and Pembroke Park ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (396 reviews)
"The apartment was charming and cosy, but had all the modern luxuries. Beautiful location and great facilities"

Reviewed on 24 Jun. 2025

Wanaka Luxury Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Wānaka

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
251
5 - Excellent 69%
4 - Good
103
4 - Good 28%
3 - Okay
9
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Loved Wanaka didn’t realise it was so big

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful town.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Loved wanaka

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

What a wonderful country we live in! Wanaka is stunning and has so much to offer.

5/5 - Excellent

Norman

Nice, quaint little village.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

More character and less hustle than Queenstown. Love the place

Cities near Wānaka