WĀNAKA
7.33am Sunrise over Wānaka
Wānaka is the ultimate base for your South Island holiday
The boutique township of Wānaka 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.
Wānaka 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.
Drag the map to show more of the surrounding areas.
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.
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.
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.