Wānaka is an epic adventure hub with plenty of outdoorsy activities nearby. This is my travel guide to the little lakeside town, with my favourite things to do, places to eat, and dreamy places to stay.

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A small town by a lake surrounded by mountains, Wanaka inevitably draws comparisons to Queenstown, located only an hour or so down the road. Like Queenstown, Wanaka has lake and mountain landscapes, easy access to hiking, skiing, wineries, and restaurants.

Wanaka, however, is smaller and has a more laid back vibe. Where Queenstown is hopped up on thrills, Wanaka is more about the outdoors. Instead of Queenstown’s plethora of fine dining restaurants owned by hospitality groups, Wanaka has a swag of food trucks and owner-operated restaurants. Queenstown has a casino and a Louis Vuitton store; Wanaka is the birthplace of Mons Royale adventure clothing, and has an outdoor shop that also serves coffee.

It’s Wanaka’s independent, adventurous spirit that endears the town to me. It feels easy to be there, even as its popularity threatens to overwhelm the town (I day dream about living there, but it’s increasingly the domain of the wealthy).

Wanaka’s position on the map makes it a prime adventure hub; it’s an excellent place to stop on your way to or from either the West Coast of the South Island, or Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. If you plan on staying for a few days, Wanaka is the ideal jumping off point for Mount Aspiring National Park.

Hiking is the main thing to do in these parts, but there are other adventure activities as well. And at the end of the day, the restaurants in Wanaka are as good as any you’ll find elsewhere in the South Island.

In this guide, I’ve pulled together my favourite ways to spend time in Wanaka. I love the outdoors and getting into the mountains, so if you’re also game for sunrise missions, plunging into icy lake water, and maybe even romantic sojourns, you might also find some things here to enjoy.

Wanaka at a glance

The highlights

Visit Mount Aspiring National Park with the Siberia Experience
Hike!
Climb a waterfall with Wildwire Wanaka
Go on a boat cruise to the island in the lake

How long to stay

Two nights in Wanaka will give you time to check out one of the hikes in the area (Roy’s Peak, Rob Roy Glacier, or Isthmus Peak) or visit Mou Waho Island. Three nights is ideal; hike, visit Mou Waho, and round out your time with lake swims and possibly a hot tub overlooking mountains.

There’s a good chance you’re wondering how best to divide your time between Wanaka and Queenstown. Personally, I find Wanaka much easier to be in. Parking, finding food, swimming; somehow all of this feels easier and more relaxed in Wanaka. In summer, I could easily while away a week in Wanaka, spending days swimming in the shimmering blue waters of Lake Hawea and reading books on the pebbled beaches, or hiking to mountaintops.

If you want to spend a lot of time hiking, you might enjoy Wanaka more. Queenstown is the better option if you’re travelling without a car, or plan on doing a lot of adventure activities.

Where to stay

Mou Waho Island

One of four islands in Lake Wanaka, Mou Waho makes for an excellent day out. A 30-minute water taxi ride delivers you to the shore of the island. A steep walking trail (around 30 minutes one-way) leads through regenerating native bush to a lookout at the highest point on the island, from where you can admire the piece de resistance; Arethusa Pool, the lake on the island in the lake.

It’s a unique lookout, but one of the things I enjoyed most about Mou Waho was that from the island, you can’t see any towns or roads – just mountains, and water. Back down by the beach, I had a blissful hour or so all to myself, the perfect opportunity for swimming, sunbathing on rocks, and picnicking.

Visit Mou Waho with Wanaka Water Taxi

Hike to viewpoints of mountains, lakes, and glaciers

Mountain and lake scenery near Wanaka bathed in a golden sunrise — *The sunrise view from Rocky Mountain*

In my mind, Wanaka is first and foremost a hiking destination. Mount Aspiring National Park is less than an hour’s drive from Wanaka, with trails ranging from short walks to multi-day treks. Closer by are various peaks offering views of the lakes and mountains.

Roy’s Peak

Roy's Peak is easily the most iconic hiking trail near Wanaka. From the summit of Roy's Peak, which stands at an elevation of 1,578 meters (5,177 feet), you’re rewarded with views of Lake Wanaka and the peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park.

Most people, however, aren’t aiming for the summit but the viewpoint a little below the highest point.

The photogenic viewpoint is famous online, but so too is the line of people waiting to have a snapshot taken – usually of a lone person looking out towards the view, not at the snaking queue.

Starting the track before dawn can help to beat some of the crowds. You won’t miss much along the first portion of the trail, which is a wide track through a sheep farm. Walking before the sun is up also comes with a few other benefits. You’ll avoid spending the better part of the day in the glaring sun; the track is exposed the entire way. And finding a parking space is much easier than during the day – although a decent size, the car park often fills up before 9am.

Given the exposure and the elevation gained along the way, Roy’s Peak requires fitness and preparation. Take plenty of water, warm layers to put on at the summit, and enough snacks to fuel you for the 6 hour hike.

If you’d prefer to avoid the crowds altogether, opt for a walk up Isthmus Peak. While a shade less high, the views from Isthmus are spectacular.

Isthmus Peak

At 1385 metres, Isthmus Peak offers a spectacular vantage point to view the Wanaka region.

The track is a long, steady climb up the mountain that sits between Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea. It’s mostly through sheep and deer grazing land, so the trail isn’t necessarily scenic, but is well-maintained, marked with poles, and mostly wide and gravel. Although fairly long (16 kilometres, or 5-7 hours) the clear trail makes this a manageable hike for intermediate hikers.

From the top, you can see across both Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka.

Rocky Mountain

Providing something of a scaled down version of Roy’s Peak – with a viewpoint looking out across the lake – Rocky Mountain is one of best walks near Wanaka. Unlike Roy’s Peak, Rocky Mountain is a relatively quiet spot. At 3-4 hours, it’s also much shorter and a better option for less experienced hikers.

If you’re game for an early start, Rocky Mountain is an excellent sunrise spot. I hiked to the summit just before the sun came up, and loved the views of Lake Wanaka, the Matukituki Valley, and the surrounding peaks bathed in a pink glow.

LandEscape Hot Tubs

The sun drops down to low hills in the background - in the foreground is a hot tub

Rik and Juliet, the local family behind LandEscape, have a spectacular block of land. The 300 acre farm is only 10 minutes from Wānaka, but feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere. Raised up on terminal moraine from glaciers that bulldozed through this area many thousands of years ago, LandEscape is surrounded by mountains, with barely a trace of human habitation in sight.

In addition to remarkable views, the couple have a passionate interest in renewable energy systems and technologies. What Rik and Juliet have set out to create is an operation that serves as a template for renewable energy usage. They are still in the ‘rustic’ phase; what that looks like for now is e-bike rentals and spring fed, wood fired hot tubs perfectly situated for basking in the stunning scenery.

A hot tub with a chimney puffing smoke and in the background a sky filled with sunset colours

Travelling in a motorhome or campervan? Book a spot for the night, and hop in and out of a private hot tub as much as you like. Between the beauty of the changing light on the mountains and the deep relaxation of the hot tubs, it might just be the best night of camping you have in New Zealand.

If you just want to drop in for a hot tub session, book a sunset soak and watch the stars slowly light up above you. The sunset vantage point has to be one of the best in the Wānaka area.

Rik and Juliet kindly hosted me for a night at LandEscape. A motorhome site with a private woodfired hot tub is $250 a night.

Lake Hawea

A 15 minute drive north of Wanaka, Lake Hawea is a long and deep blue body of water. The town of Hawea is little more than a hamlet, smaller and less developed than Wanaka, which makes the beachfront there an excellent place for swimming.

On the way to Hawea, stop by Pembroke Patisserie for picnic treats to devour by the lakeside.

Located on the shores of Lake Hawea is the Secret Sauna, one of the best little hidden gems near Wanaka. It’s a little woodfired barrel sauna right by the lake. A pretty perfect way to appreciate the lake and the mountains, especially after a day of hiking.

Mount Aspiring National Park

Mount Aspiring National Park is named after the peak known in Mäori as Tititea, ‘peak of glistening white’; according to legend, Tititea is the younger brother of Aoraki (Mount Cook) , the cloud piercer. The Matterhorn-esque peak of Aspiring is a powerful lure for climbers and mountaineers, while the lower reaches of the park have a wide network of trails running through river valleys and beech forests to some of New Zealand’s most scenic backcountry huts. It’s a beautifully undeveloped pocket of Aotearoa.

The most accessible walks in Mount Aspiring are along the road to/from Wanaka via Haast Pass. On this road, one hour north of Wanaka, where you’ll find the short, stunning, and very popular Blue Pools walk. The striking colour is a result of the water's purity and the way light reflects off the fine glacial sediment at the bottom.

Fantail Falls and Thunder Creek Falls, two other highlights of the highway to Haast, are both just minutes from the side of the road. If you’re not planning on visiting the west coast, this drive can make for a good day trip from Wānaka.

From Wānaka you can also access Mount Aspiring via the Matukituki Valley. Getting there is an adventure in itself, along a gravel road crossed by both a few too many fords and meandering cattle (check the terms and conditions of your rental vehicle before heading out there, as not all rental companies allow their vehicles on that road).

The drive is beautiful though, and from the Raspberry Creek carpark you can hike the stunning Rob Roy Glacier Track. It’s a lovely hike through beech forest, with views across the blue, braided river that flows through the Matukituki Valley. The path climbs to a spectacular amphitheatre in the mountains, from where you can see a waterfalls crashing off cliffs, and the Rob Roy glacier slowly inching its way down off the mountain tops.

Or head to Aspiring Hut. It makes for a lovely day trip destination but it’s also an accessible overnight hike for beginners (the hut comes with lighting, gas cookers, and even flush toilets, so you mostly only need a sleeping bag and food). After Aspiring Hut there are trails to Liverpool Hut, French Ridge Hut, and Cascade Saddle, all of which rank among some of my favourite South Island hikes.

The premier way to see Mount Aspiring might be the Siberia Valley Experience. A 25 minute scenic flight across glacier-studded mountains, followed by a landing in a field of golden grass by Siberia Hut, a walk through on a wilderness track through pristine forest to the Wilkin River, and finally a jet boat back to the beginning; covering almost all forms of transport and landscapes in the park, it’s a stunning day out.

Wine tasting with a lake view

Glasses of wine on a table at Maude Winery — *Maude*

The wider Central Otago wine region around Wanaka produces stellar Pinot Noirs (although my favourite varietal from the area has to be the Rieslings). You don’t need to wander far from the centre of Wanaka to sample South Island wine; wineries on the fringe of town provide the perfect setting for tastings.

Rippon has what must be one of the best views of any New Zealand vineyard, overlooking Lake Wanaka. And it has wines to match. Tastings are free, but you’ll need to book well in advance via Rippon’s website, as spaces are limited and in high demand.

Family-owned Maude Wines has a tasting room close to the centre of Wanaka town – from the right seat, you’ll have views of the lake. You can stop in for a tasting, or for wine by the glass. The sunny outdoor area is the ideal place to kick back with a glass or two.

Explore Cardrona

The Crown Range road between Queenstown and Wanaka is the highest main road in New Zealand. Reaching an altitude of 1121 metres, the road passes through beautiful alpine scenery. In summer, the drive over the Crown Range is gorgeous. It’s worth stopping blink-and-you-miss it Cardrona to make the most of the mountain scenery and golden tussock-covered hills.

The Cardrona Hotel

The main draw is the Cardrona Hotel, an iconic southern pub that first opened

its doors in 1863. The quaint charm of the gold-rush-era building entices many tourists to stop and snap photos of the exterior, but it’s well worth staying for longer to enjoy the restaurant and garden bar. The garden setting is idyllic, while the interior of the pub has plenty of rustic charm, including roaring fireplaces and tables topped with vases of fresh flowers.

The hotel also has country-style rooms for an atmospheric stay.

See rooms

The Cardrona Distillery

The Cardrona Distillery is a small, craft distillery located on the golden hills of the Crown Range a 20 minute drive from Wanaka. Barley grown on the Canterbury plains is milled on site, before being fermented and the liquid held in Cardrona’s stunning copper stills.

The location alone is stunning — it makes a great excuse to stop in Cardrona on the drive from Queenstown to Wanaka. Joining a distillery tour is a fascinating way to learn more about the craft of making artisan spirits. Tours are popular though, and take 75 minutes. If you’re short on time, you can just enjoy a cocktail.

Climb the world’s highest waterfall cable climb with Wild Wire Wanaka

If you can climb a ladder, you can tackle the highest waterfall climb in the world.

Wildwire Wanaka is a very cool, very adventurous enterprise that will test your limits and give you a completely unique way of experiencing the landscapes around Wanaka.

Lord of the Rungs is a via ferrate cable climb — the highest in the world, according to Wildwire. It’s a 450 metre climb, but you can choose levels based on your experience and thirst for adrenaline.

the world’s highest waterfall cable climb. Reaching the top will take you through 450m of vertical terraine.

Steel rungs and cables will lead you to exceptional mountain views. If you want a thrilling adventure activity in Wanaka, this is it.

Where to eat in Wanaka

What is it about ski towns and excellent coffee? Wānaka has standout coffee and amazing food; I’m starting to think of it as one of my favourite food destinations. As well as high quality options, a lot of places are owner operated.

Maybe it’s the high rent, or maybe it’s Wānaka’s independent spirit, but there is a proliferation of food trucks around town, most of which serve great food. It’s definitely handy having so many places to pick up food to go, when you often need a packed lunch for adventures, or want to eat by the lake while admiring the views.

Alleyway Emporium

📍Wanaka Alleyway

Describing itself as a ‘walk-thru,’ Alleyway is a hole in the wall joint down a laneway in the centre of Wānaka. They serve excellent coffee and simple but very good sandwiches. It’s an easy, no frills food stop or the ideal place to grab and go lunch for later in the day.

Pembroke Pâtisserie

📍20 Alison Avenue, Albert Town

The best bakery in Wānaka is located in Albert Town, which is a little out of the centre but conveniently on the way to some of the region’s best walking and biking trails. Stop by to jump in line with the locals and pick up pastries for the road – the cabinet is packed with an array of buttery, golden sweet and savoury French-style pastries.

Charlie’s Deli

📍75 Brownstown Street, Wanaka

This little deli – owned by the same Frenchman behind Charlie Brown Crepes next door – features a range of classically French foods, such as specially imported cheeses. The real highlights, though, are the house-made breads and pastries made from scratch and baked fresh every day. The daily sandwiches are crafted from house crusty baguettes and utterly delicious (I would go as far as to say the best sandwich in town) and the croissants are equally incredible. The hazelnut pain au chocolat famously takes three days to prepare, as per french tradition. The almond croissant was enormous, and although on the pricier side ($11) it was worth every cent.

Curbside Coffee & Bagels

📍48 Brownston Street, Wanaka

Curbside is the first place in Wānaka’s food truck village on Brownston Street to open in the morning, so stopping by for a coffee first thing means enjoying the pretty stream-side seating area in peace. Things definitely pick up around breakfast time, though, with people lining up for breakfast bagels and smokey hash options. The bagels are a nice easy lunch option too – I particularly enjoyed the buffalo tofu bagel.

Scroggin

📍71 Ardmore Street, Wānaka

Popular Scroggin is the kind of cafe where the serving staff wear rustic brown aprons and there’s sparkling water on tap – which is to say, the same Scandi-inspired, minimalist chic cafe you might find anywhere (not that I’m complaining. It’s one of the larger cafes in Wānaka, and the spacious interior is a welcome retreat on colder days when perching on a bench outside a food truck doesn't appeal). What makes Scroggin unique is that all pastries and goodies are made in house, from scratch. The coffee is good – the only thing to note is that thanks to its popularity, wait times can be longer than at other spots.

Burrito Craft

📍42 Brownston Street, Wanaka

The longest standing food truck in Wanaka Burrito Craft is run by local couple Julia and Marc. Pick your protein, pick your spice level. The burritos are generous, fresh, and an easy meal to take away and eat by the lake, or enjoy by the stream in the communal seating area.

Muttonbird

📍33 Ardmore Street, Wānaka

For a restaurant that serves some of the best food in Wanaka, Muttonbird is very unpretentious. As co-owners and chefs Jonathan Jackson and George Proudfoot pitch it, it’s all about good food without the fuss. The menu is based on what is in season; you can also expect to see lesser-used cuts of meat, like lamb necks, tongues, and jowl. Reserve a table in advance, as the restaurant often books out.

Wanaka itineraries

You can easily add Wanaka into these itineraries:

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12 of the best things to do in Wānaka for adventure lovers