Lake Wanaka, New Zealand: Find Wanaka activities & Wanaka accommodation

VIBRANT COMMUNITY

Our locals come from around the corner or the other side of the world. In Lake Wanaka, when you visit, you can live and feel like a local for a few days, a season or forever. It's in the community spirit.

Image: Preschool children at daycare, Cardrona Alpine Resort

OPEN SPACES

The freedom to explore is a rare thing in today's world. Lake Wanaka is a spectacular natural playground, one which we're committed to.

Image: Boating on Lake Wanaka. Camilla Stoddart

INDEPENDENT PASSION

We're keen to keep the character, Kiwi flavour and passion in our community. We'll do our utmost to champion owner operators.

Image: Hiker on top of Mt Roy. Garrick Cameron

PRISTINE ENVIRONMENT

We feel a strong responsibility to protect the incredible environment in Lake Wanaka. We'll never take it for granted.

Image: Swimming in Lake Wanaka. Camilla Stoddart

GENUINE HOSPITALITY

We're genuinely excited about sharing our local knowledge so you can make the most of your time and come to love Lake Wanaka as much as we do.

Image: Spa bath, Lake Wanaka. Fredrik Larsson

A STUNNING PLACE TO LIVE

If you're into the outdoors then there is no better place to visit or live than Wanaka...

Image: Wanaka nestled on the shores of the lake.Credit: Gilbert van Reenen

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Plan your Visit

South Island Itineraries

10 Day Itinerary

If you would like help booking all or part of this itinerary then contact our helpful team at the Lake Wanaka i-SITE Visitor Centre. They can help you customise an itinerary to suit your needs.

Day One: Depart Dunedin to the Catlins (2 hours – 136 km) Don't miss - Jacks Blowhole – Surat Bay petrified fossils – Tunnel Hill - Purakaunui Falls – Kaka Point – Yellow eyed penguins at Curio Bay Overnight at Papatowai, Kaka Point or Surat Bay
Day Two: Depart Catlins to Milford Sound (5 hours – 384 km) Don't miss - stunning coastal scenery – gift shops at Winton – a coffee at Five Rivers Café – tussock country coming into Te Anau – the Homer Tunnel – scenic stopping points Overnight in Milford Sound on a boat – an experience not to be missed!
Day Three: Depart Milford Sound to Queenstown (4.15 hours – 291 km) Don't miss - a trip up the Skyline Gondola - a ride in a jet – a trip on the steamship TSS Earnslaw Overnight in Queenstown
Day Four: Depart Queenstown to Wanaka (1 hour – 67 km) Don't miss - wine tasting at Amisfield - or a bungy jump – visit historic Arrowtown – or a drink stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel Overnight in Wanaka
Day Five: Wanaka Don’t miss - A trip out to the islands on the lake - a scenic flight over the Southern Alps or a skydive - a walk to the Rob Roy Glacier - a day on the slopes skiing or snowboarding - one of our unique attractions - or just relax in town or by the lake enjoying our local hospitality Overnight at Wanaka
Day Six: Depart Wanaka to Fox or Franz Josef Glacier (3.35 hours – 287 km) Don't miss - Lake Hawea viewpoint – the Blue Pools at Makarora - The Gates of Haast - Thunder Creek Falls - the beach at Ships Creek - Knights Point Viewpoint - Salmon farm at Lake Paringa - Lake Matheson at Fox Glacier Overnight at Fox Glacier or Franz Glacier
Day Seven: Depart Glacier or Punakaiki (2.54 hours – 218km) Drive up the coast and to Punakaiki – beautiful and different. Don't miss - Okarito Lagoon and the white herons – the gold mine at Ross - the jade factories at Hokitika – the coal museum at Greymouth – 30 million year old limestone formations at Punakaiki Overnight in Punakaiki
Day Eight: Depart Punakaiki to Hanmer Springs via Westport (3.40 hours – 273 km) Don't miss - Charlestown historic town - Cape Foulwind seal colony – Carters Beach – black water rafting – the rugged Buller Gorge - the Thermal Pools – a spa and massage - rafting & jet boating – an off road tour – walk or mountain bike the tracks Overnight in Hanmer Springs
Day Nine: Depart Hanmer Springs to Kaikoura (1.30 hours – 130 km) Don't miss - bush walk at Waiau – Mt Lyford with New Zealand’s largest log cabin – spectacular coastal scenery – whale watching – seal swimming – bird watching – snorkeling – Maori culture Overnight in Kaikoura
Day Ten: Depart Kaikoura to Picton (2 hours - 157 km) Don't miss - stunning coastal views - crayfish stalls on the coast - seal colonies - vineyards around Marlborough - Picton Overnight in Picton or catch the ferry and overnight in Wellington