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.
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1. Adventure
If you like an adrenaline rush then these are our top 3 ranked adventure activities:
- Wildwire Wanaka - climb alongside Twin Falls, the highest waterfall via ferrata in the world!
- Skydive Wanaka - strap yourself to a beautiful stranger in the best place to skydive in NZ.
- Deep Canyon - challenge yourself: jump, climb, abseil and swim our canyons
2. 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.
- Ridgeline Adventures - get off the beaten track with a private 4WD journey into the iconic high country.
- 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.
3. 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
4. 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: Burrito Craft
5. 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:
- Eco Wanaka Adventures - take a boat cruise to the beautiful Mou Waho island to meet the native Buff Weka & other native wildlife.
- Wanaka River Journeys & Go Jets - jet boat experiences not to be missed
- WanaHaka - for a tour with an authentic Maori welcome
- Wanaka Lavender Farm - enjoy a breathtaking walk lavender fields & meet the resident animals
- #thatwanakatree - NZ's most photographed tree
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:
- Roys Peak Track - a #NZMustDO this half day walk will give you magnificent views of Wanaka, the lake and Southern Alps.
- 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.
- Mt Iron Track - One of Wanaka's most popular short walks with spectacular views
7. 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.
8. 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:
- Southern Alps Air - with the Southern Alps, Milford Sound and Mt Aspiring on our doorstep, scenic flights don’t get any better
- U Fly Wanaka – your chance to fly the plane will be an incredible highlight of your holiday.
- Classic Flights - take a flightseeing trip around Wanaka and see breathtaking scenery in a Vintage Tigermoth or Waco Aircraft.
- Wanaka Parasailing - fly above the crystal clear waters of either Lake Wanaka or Lake Hawea.
9. 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!
10. 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
- Southern Alps Air, Siberia Experience - a four-hour wilderness adventure in Mount Aspiring World Heritage Park including a scenic flight, walk and jet boat.
- Wanaka River Journeys - enjoy a thrilling jet boating adventure & guided walk amidst towering mountains, glaciers and Lord of the Rings locations.
- Blue Pools Track - a short walk to the famous, crystal clear turquoise pools.
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