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Featured Activities

News flash – getting up the mountain to Ski or Snowboard is not conditional to making it a worthy visit to Wānaka in Winter. Whether you are nursing an injury or simply just not a ski-bunny rest assured that we have plenty of non-snow related activities to enjoy!

Warm yourself from the inside-out with a sauna session

If you want to stay in central in Wānaka town, then be sure to hit up the Parihoa Sauna Box located out the back of Freshlink Grocer. They offer both public and private sauna sessions in their NZ hand-built sauna. Fuel yourself afterwards with a nourishing, wholefoods feed from Dripping Bowl food truck just a few steps away!

Located out at Three Parks is Silver Sixpence which will offer you the full package – massage, spa treatments and an infrared sauna big enough for you and a friend. You can even rinse off afterwards with their deluxe rain-head showers!

For a nature immersion look no further than The Sauna Wānaka (opening July 23rd) is located at the Outlet River track just 5 minutes out of Wānaka. They offer both guided and independent group sessions, with the option to hire out the sauna privately if you want to sauna with your whānau or friends!

Seeking something a little more secluded and secret? You must go on a beautiful drive (only 15 minutes out of Wānaka) to The Camp in Lake Hāwea. There, you’ll stumble upon The Secret Sauna, an oasis designed for you to indulge in a lakefront wood-fired barrel sauna with vistas that are to die for! It’s a locals favourite. Get the full mind-body reset by staying a night (or three) in a geo-dome at Crosshill Lodge & Domes for a sleep under the stars!

Wood fired sauna with mountain views through the windows

Play in some waves!

Waves? As in… surfing? Yes, you heard correctly! There are two waves you can now ride in Wānaka.

The first is the Hāwea River Wave, the ideal playground for kayak, white water, body boarding and surfing enthusiasts – but not for the faint-hearted! The natural river wave was purpose built on the Hāwea River at Camphill Bridge in 2012.

The newest is YourWave, also located in Hāwea Flat, which is a man-made versatile standing wave designed for all abilities and ages! They operate all year round and in all weathers thanks to their sheltered location, warm, thick wetsuits and nice hot showers. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced surf, YourWave can provide you with the ultimate, high adrenaline day out for the whole crew to enjoy. Better yet, finish your session with a sauna at The Secret Sauna – just a 5 minute drive away!

Woman surfing on wave

The Ultimate Spa Day Awaits You

Take the opportunity to defrost your bones and melt your muscles at Oakridge Resort with an outdoor hot spa and sauna, which is complimentary with the purchase of any treatment (be it a manicure, massage, pedicure or facial) from Sanctuary Day Spa.

Or if you are looking for a full-body reset you must book in for a treatment at Active Massage Wānaka – it’s known as the locals’ sanctuary and the traveler’s oasis. Chances are high that if you hit either of these options the whānau will be filled with envy by the time their spent souls return down from the mountain.

The newest spa on the block is Silver Sixpence – once a relocatable beauty-bus to a now sophisticated and upmarket spa salon. A must-do if you are looking for a day of pampering and bespoke beauty treatments!

And if you are an au naturel kind of gal (or guy) then visiting the small team at Ilu Hub for a natural and organic treatment is a great choice. They tailor their treatments to you and have an amazing range of quality skincare products to purchase after your treatment.

Massage tables in the massage clinic

Make some shapes in a Yoga or Pilates class

Still want to move your body and get your blood pumping? Wānaka is blessed with some seriously good Yoga & Pilates studios! If you are on the reformer pilates buzz, then you must book in for a group class at The Reformery. They offer small classes of up to 6 people, a blend of mat and reformer pilates with a touch of myofascial release. The perfect recover session!

If you are nursing an injury and require a rehabilitative approach, then Alpine Physiotherapy is perfect. They offer a tailored and physiotherapy-lead approach to movement.

Looking for a blend of both Yoga and Pilates? The Body Garage is the one for you. They have a wide range of both beginner and dynamic classes in their beautiful sunlit studio.

Or if you want to get your sweat on and rinse out the toxins then Hot Yoga Fusion is your best bet. The teachers will be sure to mindfully challenge you! They also offer a few hot yin yoga sessions if you are looking for a deep stretch and a slower paced practice.

Pilates instructor taking a class

Do the mahi, get the treats!

Looking for a family day off the slopes but still wanting some adventure? LandEscape Wānaka has designed the ultimate activity for you. Explore the lakeside trails and river tracks by e-Bike out at Lake Hāwea and finish soaking up nature in a wood-fired hot tub!

Finish with some kai (food) at Lake Hāwea Hotel or Hāwea Store & Kitchen. This option requires only a little bit of mahi (work/effort) for a lot of reward, which is just the way we like it!

LandEscape Hot Tub in Lake Hāwea

Make it a matinée movie day

Sink into your seat, put your feet up and indulge in a chick-flick or an action-adventure movie. Wānaka is blessed with not just one, but two amazing cinemas which both have matinee movie session options. Ruby Cinemas are known for their elaborate cocktail menu, whilst Cinema Paradiso are famous for their half-time homemade cookies. The hardest part of the day will be choosing which cinema to go for!

Rubys Cinemas in Wanaka

There are a plethora of other free and fun family activities if you aren’t looking to hit the slopes when you visit in winter!