Explore the Region

Discover beautiful landscapes, food, wine, friendly people and a relaxed lifestyle

Wānaka is a spectacular and diverse region of mountains, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and native forest. On the doorstep of Mt Aspiring National Park, Wānaka is a gateway and the perfect hub for exploring. Head into the park for an epic adventure, take a short drive or bike ride to Albert Town, Lake Hāwea, Makarora, Matukituki Valley, Cardrona, Wānaka Airport & Luggate. Explore the region on one of our self drive day trips around the area.

Located at the heart of some of the South Island’s most stunning spots, Wānaka is also the ideal base for venturing into the surrounding regions, where you will discover vineyards, historic towns and stunning scenery. 

Self-drive day trips or as part of your South Island journey  - Milford Sound, Queenstown, the West Coast, Mt Cook, Central Otago and Christchurch are all within easy reach.

Wānaka At the heart of nature’s own adventure playground is Wanaka

Lake Hāwea A place of vivid beauty, mountainous extremes and legendary fishing spots

Cardrona An historic village with a range of activities and attractions to explore

Makarora A must do for anyone with a real sense of adventure

Matukituki Valley The Matukituki Valley an outdoor adventure playground second to none

Wānaka Airport & Luggate The Wanaka Airport is a day trip destination in a class of its own

Mt Aspiring National Park Part of Te Wahipounamu - Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area

Surrounding Regions Visit Milford Sound, Mt Cook and Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers from Wanaka

Self Drive Day Trips Explore our region Read more

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Click on your location below to see how close you are to Wanaka

Driving to Wanaka Explore the Region

Driving to Wānaka

Driving on the South Island roads of New Zealand is a great way to experience the region, with relatively quiet roads and some of the most amazing scenery right outside the window.

Major car and campervan hire companies are all located at Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown airports. There are also a number of rental car companies based in Wānaka.

How to get to Wānaka

Explore the Region

Wānaka is unique and captivating; it inspires you to discover, and gives you the freedom to explore.

Located in the stunning alps of the South Island, New Zealand, visitors from around the world are drawn to the Wānaka region by its outstanding beauty.

Explore Wānaka

  1. Mount Aspiring
    National Park     54 min
  2. Christchurch 5 h 14 min
  3. Ashburton 3 h 56 min
  4. Geraldine 3 h 19 min
  5. Tekapo 2 h 17 min
  6. Mt Cook 2 h 6 min
  7. Twizel 1 h 39 min
  8. Omarama 1 h 21 min
  9. Franz Josef 3 h 32 min
  10. Fox Glacier 3 h 6 min
  11. Haast 1 h 43 min
  13. Cromwell 39 min
  14. Queenstown 1 h 4 min
  15. Milford Sound 4 h 34 min
  16. Te Anau 2 h 52 min
  17. Dunedin 2 h 52 min
  1. Mount Aspiring
    National Park     54 min
  2. Coronet Peak
  3. The Remarkables
  4. Cardrona
  5. Treble Cone
  6. Snow Farm
  7. Heli Skiing
  8. Heli Skiing
  9. Makarora 50 min
  10. Lake Hawea 1 h 7 min
  12. Wanaka Airport 11 min
  13. Luggate 13 min
  14. Tarras 27 min
  15. Cromwell 39 min
  16. Arrowtown 53 min
  17. Queenstown 1 h 4 min
  18. Queenstown Airport 59 min
  19. Matukituki Valley 51 min
  20. Raspberry Creek 1 h 6 min

Flights to Wānaka

Getting to Wānaka is easy - click on your city to see how close you are to Wānaka. It’s a short, scenic 60-minute drive to Wānaka from the closest international airport, where you will find all major rental car companies and scheduled bus services that provide transport to Wānaka throughout the day.

How to get to Wanaka