Wanaka Stories

Discover Wanaka through stories by locals and travellers

Adventure, Biking Casey Brown rides Wanaka: Cardrona Bike Park Arguably one of the best female mountain bike athletes in the world, Casey Brown explores Wanaka riding terrain. First up, Cardrona Bike Park

Adventure Casey Brown rides Wanaka: Bike Glendhu Casey Brown is one of the world’s foremost female mountain bikers. So naturally, she had to ride Bike Glendhu, Wanaka’s newest pedal-powered riding area.

Adventure Casey Brown rides Wanaka: Siberia Experience Even the pros take days off. Casey Brown spent two days riding the mountain bike parks of Wanaka, but on her third day in town, it was time for an...

Adventure Three epic spring multi-sport days Multi-sport day [muhl-tee spohrt dey]: the act of trying to cram as many activities or sports as possible into the daylight hours of one day.

Adventure, Walks & Hikes, Eat & Drink Shan Bawden's Wanaka To-Do List Shan Bawden is a blogger and photographer who falls harder for Wanaka everytime she visits. Here's her Wanaka 'must-do' list for the Spring and Summer.

Skip the lift: Catskiing with Soho by Amisfield Fresh turns, knowledgeable guides and a decadent lunch with Amisfield wine pairings. Level up your ski day with catskiing in Soho Basin.

See & Do, Adventure 5 reasons to do an avalanche awareness course We went out with Adventure Consultants in Wanaka to learn all about how to stay safe in the mountains.

Adventure, See & Do Mountain tips from Olympians Jossi Wells and Alice Robinson Wanaka and Queenstown ski icons Jossi Wells and Alice Robinson share their on-mountain tips, tricks and maybe even secret stashes.

Eat & Drink World-class chefs choose their epicurean hidden gems in Wanaka and Queenstown Chefs Anthony Gradiska of Gibbston Valley in Queenstown and Mario Rodrigues of Bistro Gentil in Wanaka reveal their favourite hidden gems on either side of the Crown Range.

See & Do The ultimate shopping guide by Wanaka & Queenstown retail experts In the world of retail, fabulous doesn't even begin to describe Brydon Smallbone of 47 Frocks in Wanaka and Lizzy Wallace-Gibbs of Wallace & Gibbs and Goals in Queenstown.

Adventure, See & Do Stay epic: Activities recommended by the locals When it comes to adventure, you can't go past Mark Morrison of Wildwire Wanaka and Trent Yeo of Ziptrek Ecotours to know best.

Eat & Drink Wine tasting tips from local winemakers Pinot noir, gamay, chardonnay or a good old gewurztraminer... what's your preference? We've got the tips from our local expert winemakers, Nadine Cross of Peregrine Wines in Queenstown and Jo...

Adventure, See & Do Dirt guide: Trail tips from local MTB pros So you want to ride Wanaka and Queenstown? Better start here. Remy Morton of Queenstown and Phoebe Coers of Wanaka have you sorted with the ultimate guide to dirt in...