Discover Wanaka: lake, mountains and experiences

Lake Wānaka, mountains and a variety of activities give Wanaka a character that doesn’t have to be reduced to a single holiday theme. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available to rent on the lakeshore; in the mountains and high country, the options include challenging mountain bike trails. Nearby, you’ll also find a full-day mountain hike, walks through flower fields and a maze. These experiences offer different highlights—from time on the water to a challenging journey with panoramic views.

Visitor information and activities in Wanaka

There are two visitor information centres, each with a different focus. Wānaka isite offers local visitor advice, maps and booking services for experiences in Wanaka and beyond. The DOC visitor centre in Wanaka provides up-to-date information and local knowledge about recreational opportunities in Central Otago and the Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park area.

The Roys Peak Track is near Wanaka. This challenging, full-day hike offers panoramic views of Lake Wānaka. Seasonal restrictions and conditions can change, so check the latest information before planning your hike. Also nearby, Wānaka Lavender Farm offers walks through its flower fields. Visitors can also meet the farm’s animals. The flowers’ appearance varies by season.

For a different kind of activity, Puzzling World in Wanaka invites you to race through The Great Maze. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available to rent on the lakeshore; guided tours with experienced guides are also offered. Cycling options range from scenic road rides and challenging singletrack to routes in the high country and mountains. Guided cycling tours and helibiking also take you to remote trails off the beaten track.

Wanaka and the wider Queenstown Lakes District

Looking beyond Wanaka, the Queenstown Lakes District offers more nature and cultural experiences. The District’s three main lakes are Lake Whakatipu, Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea; they are used for boating, swimming and other water sports. In Queenstown, the Queenstown Hill Time Walk offers views and the “Basket of Dreams” sculpture. The track starts on Belfast Street and takes two to three hours round trip to the car park. Also starting from Queenstown, the challenging Ben Lomond Track is a full-day hike with 1,438 metres of elevation gain and panoramic views over Queenstown, Lake Whakatipu and the surrounding mountain ranges. The time required makes a clear difference between these two hikes.

History is another theme of the wider destination. The Arrowtown Chinese Settlement is a public Category 2 historic site and the last Chinese settlement in Otago to remain relatively intact. It commemorates the Chinese presence on the Central Otago goldfields. A visit to the Lakes District Museum offers insight into the history of Queenstown and the Southern Lakes District. Its collection includes artefacts, photographs and films about the region’s Māori and Chinese settlers, as well as the pioneering gold rush.

The options vary by activity and time required—from a full-day hike to activities on the water and cultural discoveries.

Discover more destinations

Dingle Burn, Makarora, Cardrona, Mount Nicholas, Gibbston, Lake Hayes, Queenstown, Kingston

For the wider travel overview: Queenstown Lakes District.