Getting to Wanaka and Around the Region

There are a variety of ways to get to Wanaka: air, coach or self drive. Wanaka has its own airport with daily flights to Christchurch while 45 minutes away is Queenstown Airport. Christchurch and Dunedin Airports are with 5 hours drive of Wanaka and are linked by a good bus services and car rentals. Use the pages here to help you find the best way to get to Lake Wanaka.

Transport

Flights to Wanaka

Buses to Wanaka

Getting Around Wanaka

Rental Transport

Sightseeing Tours

Getting to Wanaka is easy either by air, bus or self drive. Three international airports are in close proximiy to Wanaka and the Wanaka Airport is serviced daily from Christchurch. Regular coach services to and from the main centres arrive and depart daily and if driving yourself then you can choose your destination.

Queenstown Airport - 60 min drive
Dunedin Airport - 3 hour drive
Christchurch Airport - 5 hour drive
Wanaka Airport

Wanaka Bus Services:

Regular coach services link Lake Wanaka with Queenstown, Dunedin, Christchurch, Invercargill and the West Coast including Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.

Alpine ConneXions - daily coach service to Cromwell, Alexandra, Dunedin Airport and Dunedin. 4 times daily to Queenstown
Connectabus - daily coach service between Queenstown and Wanaka
Inter City - daily coach services to Queenstown, Christchurch and West Coast
Atomic Shuttles - daily coach services to Queenstown, Christchurch, Dunedin and West Coast
Southern Link - daily coach services to Queenstown and Christchurch
Catch A Bus - daily coach service to Dunedin

Driving to Wanaka

Driving on the South Island roads of New Zealand is fairly straight forward with wide, relatively quiet roads and some of the most amazing scenery just right outside the window. Just remember to watch the road and keep left.

All the major car and campervan hire companies are available at Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown airports. Many of these offers specials and discounts so keep an eye out for these.

Driving times:

Place	Distance	Time
Queenstown (via Crown Range Road)	68 km	1 hr 10 mins
Christchurch	424 km	5 hrs 25 mins
Dunedin	276 km	3 hrs 30 mins
Franz Josef Glacier	287 km	3 hrs 35 mins
Milford Sound	394 km	5 hrs
Mt Cook	203 km	2 hrs 30 mins
Tekapo	198 km	2 hrs 30 mins
Invercargill	285 km	3 hrs 35 mins
Greymouth	469 km	5 hrs 50 mins
Picton	773 km	9 hrs 40 mins

transport all

Rental Transport (3)

Hiring a car, 4WD or van is easy in Wanaka. There is a vehicle to suit your requirements.
Sightseeing (17)

One of the best ways to gain an insight into this unique area is to take a guided tour with one of our locals and let them share their stories and expert local knowledge with you.