Wanaka

Wanaka is the ultimate base for your South Island holiday

The boutique township of Wanaka is a picture-perfect gem, with a pristine alpine lake at its doorstep and surrounded by the spectacular Southern Alps. 

It’s the gateway to Mt Aspiring National Park a World Heritage Area – an alpine paradise of towering peaks, spectacular glaciers, rivers and forested valleys. 

There are plenty of things to do; for kids, for families, for the adventurous and extreme at heart and for those seeking peace and relaxation. Walking, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming, skiing and snowboarding, scenic flights, and the world famous Puzzling World – it’s all here. 

Wanaka cafes and restaurants are among the best in New Zealand with award-winning chefs and local produce that will delight even the most discerning traveller. 

Discover the best of our region by following the scenic highlights photo tour.

 

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Flights to Wanaka

Getting to Wanaka is easy. It’s a short, scenic 60-minute drive to Wanaka from the closest international airport, where you will find all major rental car companies and scheduled bus services that provide transport to Wanaka throughout the day.

Queenstown Airport is serviced daily from all major New Zealand airports as well as over 40 flights a week direct from Australia.

How to get to Wanaka

Driving to Wanaka

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 Wanaka.

How to get to Wanaka

Explore the Region

Wanaka 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 Wanaka region by its outstanding beauty.

Explore Wanaka

  1. New Zealand
  2. Auckland 1 h 50 min
  3. Wellington 1 h 20 min
  4. Christchurch 55 min
  5. Queenstown Airport 1 h 4 min
  7. Australia
  8. Brisbane 3 h 50 min
  9. Gold Coast 3 h 30 min
  10. Sydney 3 h 15 min
  11. Melbourne 3 h 35 min
  12. Tokyo 10 h 30 min
  13. Los Angeles 12 h 5 min
  14. Beijing 16 h 10 min
  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