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

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

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

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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About Wanaka

Surrounding Regions

Fiordland Milford Sound

Surrounding Regions

Queenstown

Fiordland Milford Sound

The West Coast

MacKenzie Mt Cook

Central Otago

Nowhere is the wild beauty of New Zealand displayed with more effect than in the stunning landscapes of Fiordland. Here, untamed waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres into virgin forested valleys, lonely fords greet the sun with enchanted birdsong, and stretches of crystal clear lakes shimmer in the pure air surrounded by a mantle of vivid green rainforest and towering granite peaks.

Milford Sound is the most famous and accessible of the fords and the road is a spectacular alpine journey. But if you'd like to save time and take a spectacular flight across Mt Aspiring National Park World Heritage Area then try a day trip by plane from Lake Wanaka with a cruise on Milford Sound as well.

Dolphins and a wealth of other marine life often reward a visit to the more remote Doubtful Sound. The fords are just a small part of this vast area waiting to be explored. The Fiordland National Park is one of the world’s largest areas of protected land at over 1.2 million hectares and is a designated World Heritage Area - Te Wahipounamu.

A myriad of hiking trails and short walks have earned Fiordland the reputation of one of the world’s finest walking destinations. This includes the Great Walks; Milford, Kepler and Routeburn, as well as the Hollyford and Greenstone Tracks.

Rudyard Kipling dubbed Milford Sound the eighth wonder of the world and no brochure description has yet been able to capture the essence of the Milford experience. A range of activities provides the opportunity to discover every aspect of this unique environment, from kayak and cruise options, scenic fights, diving or visiting the unique Discovery Centre underwater observatory.

Sitting on the shores of New Zealand’s second largest lake, the town of Te Anau provides a perfect base to explore the area. Te Anau is perfectly placed to accommodate guests in an excellent selection of hotels, motels, backpackers, holiday parks and holiday homes.