This small, often-overlooked destination is an incredible place to spend some time, especially if you’re looking to avoid the holiday crowds in the nearby Queenstown.
The area is home to exceptional natural beauty year-round, with its snow-capped mountains during the winter, fields of lupins in the spring/summer, and spectacular fall foliage.
It’s also where you’ll find one of the most-photographed places in New Zealand – and it’s easy to see why. Rippon Vineyard offers the most amazing view of Lake Wanaka while you sip on a glass of wine.
There are also plenty of hiking trails that take you above the lake for even more spectacular vantage points.
In addition, Wanaka is known for its outdoor activities, which include mountain biking, kayaking, jet skiing, and skydiving, to name a few.
However, if you’re not into adventure sports, there are plenty of cafés in Wanaka serving great food and delicious coffee.
If this sounds like the kind of place you’d like to spend your next break, check out our list of recommendations below so you can make the most out of your trip!
The 36 Most Popular Things To Do In Wanaka, New Zealand
36. Mount Alpha
5.0 (2 reviews)
35. Stevensons Island
4.7 (3 reviews)
Credit: Jocelyn Kinghorn, License, Flickr
34. Lake Wanaka Outlet Track (Albert Town end)
4.8 (5 reviews)
Credit: Anthony Cross, Google Maps
Location: 23 Hikuwai Drive Albert Town
33. Coromandel Peak
5.0 (8 reviews)
Credit: QingYi Li, Google Maps
Location: Glendhu Bay
32. The Picture Lounge – New Zealand Photographers Gallery
3.9 (11 reviews)
Credit: The Picture Lounge – New Zealand Photographers Gallery, Google Maps
Location: 31 Dunmore St Mall Wanaka
Tel: 3-443-5033
Web Address: http://thepicturelounge.co.nz/
31. Ruby Island
4.6 (14 reviews)
Credit: Sky_xe, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Wanaka
30. Bremner Bay
4.3 (14 reviews)
Credit: Oren Rozen, License, Wikimedia commons
29. Fish & Cruise Wanaka ltd
4.5 (14 reviews)
Location: Lakeside Rd. Wanaka
Tel: 27-628-6464
Web Address: http://fishcruisewanaka.co.nz/
28. Roys Bay
4.9 (16 reviews)
Credit: Sgroey, License, Wikimedia commons
27. Waterfall Creek Track
4.7 (19 reviews)
Credit: Gage Salyards, License, Flickr
Location: Ruby Island Rd. Wanaka
Web Address: https://lakewanaka.co.nz/explore/waterfall-creek-track/
26. Wanaka Fine Art Gallery
4.5 (24 reviews)
Credit: Wanaka Fine Art Gallery, Google Maps
Location: 4 Helwick St Wanaka
Tel: 3-443-8960
Web Address: https://wanakagallery.com/
25. Lake Wanaka Cruises
4.8 (32 reviews)
Credit: Simon_sees, License, Flickr
Location: At the lakefront 100 Ardmore St Wanaka
Tel: 21-307-104
Web Address: http://wanakacruises.co.nz/
24. Go Jets Wanaka
5.0 (34 reviews)
Credit: Jocelyn Kinghorn, License, Flickr
Location: Albertown lake Hawea rd (Boat Ramp at the one lane bridge Albertown Wanakal
Tel: 800-465-387
Web Address: http://gojetswanaka.co.nz/
23. Glendhu Bay Track
4.7 (36 reviews)
Location: Ruby Island Rd. Wanaka
Web Address: https://lakewanaka.co.nz/explore/glendhu-bay-track/
22. LANDeSCAPE Wanaka eBikes & Hot Tubs
5.0 (36 reviews)
Credit: LANDeSCAPE Wanaka eBikes & Hot Tubs, Google Maps
Location: 93 Camp Hill Rd. RD2 Wanaka
Tel: 3-443-1588
Web Address: http://landescape-wanaka.nz/
21. Sticky Forest
4.7 (37 reviews)
Credit: TRAILSOURCE.COM, License, Flickr
Location: 104B Kings Drive Wanaka
20. Wanaka Station Park
4.6 (37 reviews)
Credit: Jocelyn Kinghorn, License, Flickr
Location: 62 Wanaka Mount Aspiring Rd. Wanaka
19. Cardrona X Treble Cone Wānaka
4.5 (42 reviews)
Credit: Cardrona X Treble Cone Wānaka, Google Maps
Location: 50 Cardrona Valley Rd. Wanaka
Tel: 800-440-800
Web Address: https://cardrona.com/winter/contact-us/
18. Maude Wines
4.4 (52 reviews)
Credit: Maude Wines, Google Maps
Location: 76A Golf Course Rd. Wanaka
Tel: 3-443-2299
Web Address: http://maudewines.com/
17. Deep Canyon
4.7 (60 reviews)
Location: 99 Ardmore St Wanaka
Tel: 3-443-7922
Web Address: http://deepcanyon.co.nz/
16. Roys Bay Recreational Reserve (Dinosaur Park)
4.7 (64 reviews)
Credit: Benedict Uy, Google Maps
Location: Wanaka
15. Wanaka Golf Club
4.4 (72 reviews)
Credit: Wanaka Golf Course, Google Maps
Location: 12 Ballantyne Rd. Wanaka
Tel: 3-443-7888
Web Address: http://wanakagolf.co.nz/
14. Basecamp Wanaka Climbing Centre
4.5 (153 reviews)
Credit: Basecamp Wanaka Climbing Centre, Google Maps
Location: 50 Cardrona Valley Rd. Wanaka
Tel: 3-443-1110
Web Address: https://basecampadventures.co.nz/
13. Skydive Wanaka
4.8 (462 reviews)
Location: Mustang Lane Luggate
Tel: 3-443-7207
Web Address: http://skydivewanaka.com/
12. Hook Wanaka – Lake to Plate
4.7 (537 reviews)
Credit: Hook Wanaka – Lake to Plate, Google Maps
Location: 49 Monteith Rd. Albert Town
Tel: 3-443-1222
Web Address: http://hookwanaka.nz/
11. Mount Aspiring National Park
4.7 (809 reviews)
Credit: W. Bulach, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: South Island
Tel: 3-443-7660
Web Address: https://doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/mount-aspiring-national-park/
10. National Transport & Toy Museum
4.6 (884 reviews)
Credit: Oren Rozen, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 891 Wanaka Luggate Highway RD 2 Wanaka
Tel: 3-443-8765
Web Address: http://nttmuseumwanaka.co.nz/
9. Wanaka Lakefront
4.7 (1,726 reviews)
Location: Ardmore St Wanaka
Web Address: https://lakewanaka.co.nz/wanaka-stories/6-of-the-best-swimming-spots-for-summer/#lakefront-beach-wanaka
Our Top picks
8. Tititea – Mount Aspiring
4.3 (29 reviews)
7. Snow Farm NZ
4.6 (194 reviews)
Credit: Bernard Spragg. NZ, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2127 Cardrona Valley Rd. Cardrona
Tel: 3-443-7542
Web Address: http://snowfarm.nz/
6. Roys Peak
4.8 (292 reviews)
Credit: lenscapism, License, Wikimedia commons
5. Treble Cone Ski Area
4.5 (402 reviews)
Credit: Jocelyn Kinghorn, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Mt Aspiring Rd. Wanaka
Tel: 3-443-1406
Web Address: http://treblecone.com/
4. Wanaka Lavender Farm
4.6 (1,347 reviews)
Credit: Richard, License, Flickr
Location: 36 Morris Rd. Wanaka
Tel: 3-443-6359
Web Address: https://wanakalavenderfarm.com/
3. Cardrona Alpine Resort
4.7 (1,957 reviews)
Credit: Jocelyn Kinghorn, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Cardrona Valley Road Cardrona
Tel: 3-443-7341
Web Address: https://cardrona.com/
2. #ThatWanakaTree
4.5 (3,037 reviews)
Credit: AJMANDELL1, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Roys Bay 59 Wanaka Mount Aspiring Rd. Wanaka
Tel: 3-443-1233
Web Address: https://lakewanaka.co.nz/explore/that-wanaka-tree/
1. Puzzling World
4.4 (4,378 reviews)
Credit: Alex Proimos, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 188 Wanaka Luggate Highway Wanaka
Tel: 3-443-7489
Web Address: http://puzzlingworld.co.nz/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Wanaka, New Zealand! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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