Search
#lovewānaka
Featured Activities

So you want a little adventure? Look no further. In this four-day itinerary, push personal boundaries and escape comfort zones using Wānaka township as your home base.

Filter

Day 1: Cardrona

By car from Wānaka: 35 mins | 34km

Head up the Cardrona Valley to The Cardrona for a quad bike tour over a high country farm. There are river crossings, offroading and incredible alpine views.

 

At the end of your tour, head next door to the Cardrona Distillery to taste their hand-crafted spirits. All their spirits are made using pure alpine water sourced from the heart of Mount Cardrona. Join a daily tour or tasting. There’s also the historic Cardrona Hotel for a local craft beer, chips and amazing fried chicken.

Day 2: Matukituki Valley

By car from Wānaka: 35 mins | 34km

In the Matukituki Valley, you can get involved in so many adventures – just be aware that many of these take about a half-day. For water activities, try canyoning, rafting or jet boating. If you want to test your fear of heights, do the via ferrata climb up the iron rung ladders beside Twin Falls.

 

And for those who want to fly, try a tandem paraglide off Treble Cone or heliskiing (winter only).

Day 3: Wānaka Airport

By car from Wānaka: 12 mins | 11km

A truly bucket-list New Zealand activity is skydiving – it doesn’t get anymore adventurous than that. At the Wānaka Airport, hop into the iconic orange plane and take a jump from 15,000 feet.

 

If jumping from a plane isn’t your thing, check out heli-biking. Taking off from the Wānaka airport, your helibike guide will take you to some of the Wānaka region’s most untouched trails.

 

If you’re feeling independent, check out U-Fly Wānaka – where you can fly the plane yourself! And if you want to get in the air for some sightseeing, Alpine Helicopters and Wanaka Helicopters are your go-to.

 

After all that, take a short drive down the road to the Luggate Hotel for some well-earned local craft beers and a pub feed.

Day 4: Wānaka

Discover adventure on Lake Wānaka. Explore our rivers on a jet boat experience. Tour the lake on a jet-ski or rent a powerboat and go wakeboarding and water-skiing. Or give flyboarding a go.

 

If you want to get airborne, check out parasailing for an incredible 360 view of the township and surrounding landscape.

 

Finally, take a slow approach and rent a paddle board or kayak. You can hire a tour guide to learn all the secret spots on the lake.