Lake Wanaka

Just 50 minutes drive from Queenstown over the magnificent Crown Range Highway, Wanaka perfectly complements its vibrant neighbour. Indeed the name Wanaka translates from Maori as “renewal of the soul”.

The town is set on the southern shore of the lake across from Mount Aspiring, the centrepiece of Mount Aspiring National Park. The park features a multitude of different landforms: hanging valleys, lake basins and some 100 glaciers of different shapes and sizes. It offers innumerable possibilities for nature lovers and pioneers.

Downtown there’s a pretty shopping village with a wide variety of ambient areas to eat and relax. The fishing is superb, there’s a multitude of adventure activities on offer and anywhere you walk you’ll find breathtaking scenery and wide open spaces.

Snow Paradise

In winter, snow lovers flock to the steep slopes of Treble Cone Ski Area or the snowboarder’s Mecca of Cardrona Alpine Resort. Those seeking a slower mountain pace head for New Zealand’s only Nordic ski area at the Waiorau Snow Farm. There is also the specialist Snow Park at Waiorau offering terrain parks and half pipes while some of the world’s finest heli-skiing is simply a phone call away.

Alpine Adventure

Spring, summer and autumn, Wanaka attracts hikers, mountaineers, parapenters, canyoners, kayakers, helibikers, rock-climbers and day walkers from around the world who revel in the area’s natural attributes. The 90 kilometre lake and riverside journey up the Matukituki Valley is a spectacular highlight.

Sunsoaked Summer

A favourite playground for New Zealand families, glorious Lake Wanaka beaches are home to sun-seekers and boating enthusiasts throughout the long, hot Central Otago summer. Lakeside camping grounds provide get-away from-it-all beach holidays for all ages. Lake cruises, windsurfing, wakeboarding, parapenting and water skiing are favourite water based activities. Horse trekking, tandem skydiving, 4WD motor biking and eco rafting are available close to the village.

Planes and Puzzles

Wine tasting, unique puzzling eccentricity, checking out classic warplanes, kayaking or jet boating are among other popular adventures offered at Wanaka. Visit the unique Transport Museum or try your skill at Have a Shot – great activities even on a wet day. If you want to take a step back in time, make sure you attend the biannual Easter Warbirds over Wanaka air show which attracts fighter planes from around the world for a fascinating three day spectacular.

web: www.lakewanaka.co.nz  
email: info@lakewanaka.co.nz