Top 10 Must Do's in Wanaka

To help you make a start here's a list of the top ranking activities from Trip Advisor. You might also like to check out our most popular tracks as well.

If you'd like to see what to do with the kids, what to do on rainy day, free things you can do in Wanaka and lots of other suggestions then take a look at our Wanaka Top 10 Lists

1. Adventure

If you like an adrenaline rush then these are our top 4 ranked adventure activities:

Wildwire Wanaka - climb alongside Twin Falls, the highest waterfall via ferrata in the world!
Wanaka Paragliding - take a breathtaking Tandem Paragliding flight from Treble Cone Mountain
Deep Canyon - challenge yourself: jump, climb, abseil and swim our canyons 
Skydive Wanaka - strap yourself to a beautiful stranger in the best place to skydive in NZ.

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Not your standard Thursday activity

2. Horse Trekking & 4WD Off Road Tours

Getting off the beaten track and enjoying time out in the landscape is one of the most popular things to do in Wanaka - you just need to decide if you want to ride a horse, a quad bike or sit back and relax in a 4WD vehicle.

Horse Trekking & Quad Biking - the Cardrona Valley near Wanaka offers some of the most spectacular riding terrain in New Zealand with The Cardrona & Backcountry Saddle Expeditions. 
Ridgeline Adventures - get off the beaten track with a private 4WD journey into the iconic high country.

3. Landscape & Nature

A boat trip while in Wanaka is a must do! Whether out to Mou Waho Island on the lake or jet boating up a braided river:

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4. Biking

With the highest heli biking trip in New Zealand and the legendary Dean's Bank MTB Track on our doorstep - be sure to bring your bike or hire one!

Wanaka Bike Tours - take out the hassle on a fully guided tour, mountain biking tours and heli biking trips for all abilities.
Dean's Bank - this fast and flowing single-track mountain biking circuit has million-dollar views of the mighty Clutha River and Wanaka Basin.

5. Airborne Adventures

There's no better place to take a scenic flight than Wanaka - fly the plane yourself, parasail or fly around Mt Aspiring and to Milford Sound:

6. Walking and Hiking

Two of New Zealand's most popular day walks are located near Wanaka - so be sure to hike at least one of them:

  1. Roys Peak Track - a #NZMustDO this half day walk will give you magnificent views of Wanaka, the lake and Southern Alps.
  2. The Rob Roy Glacier Track - this half day walk leads you into Mount Aspiring National Park, an amazing world of mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes. TRACK CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO EROSION
  3. Mt Iron Track - One of Wanaka's most popular short walks with spectacular views
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Ohh how amazing is this view?!☺️

7. Unique Attractions

Wanaka is famous for its slightly weird and wacky attractions so be sure to give these a go:

Puzzling World - The Illusion Rooms, Puzzle Centre and Maze will leave you baffled!
National Transport and Toy Museum - visit the largest collection of toys in the Southern Hemisphere.
Warbirds & Wheels - classic cars, warbirds and wearable creations.
Crossfire - line up on the target and shoot for fun
Wanaka's famous cinemas - Cinema Paradiso and Ruby's Cinema & Bar

8. Skiing and Snowboarding

With four ski fields within 45 minutes of town, Wanaka is the ideal base for a winter holiday.

Treble Cone, Cardrona, Snow Farm & Soho Basin- four of NZ's best ski options within a 45 minute drive of the town centre.  
Southern Lakes Heliski - the best of both worlds, skiing & helicopters!

9. Mt Aspiring National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Area

The easiest way to see this UNESCO World Heritage area is by plane or jet boat, but there are some great walks as well for the more adventurous

10. Food & Drink

While Wanaka might be small, our reputation for good food is legendary. Make sure you visit one of these before you go:

Kika - the Best Restaurant in NZ (2017 Awards for Excellence, Hospitality New Zealand)
The Big Fig - slow food served fast!
Wanaka Gourmet Kitchen - try their famous signature dish, Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder
Bistro Gentil - a recipient of a hat in the prestigious Cuisine Good Food Awards, 2016. 
Patagonia Chocolates & Black Peak Gelato - for the best chocolates, ice creams and gelatos!
Best cheap eats: Charlie Brown Crepes