Wanaka

Wanaka is a town situated on the shores of Lake Wanaka in the South Island of New Zealand. It is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park.

Get in

The closest international airport is at Queenstown which services flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Domestic flights are handled from Auckland and Christchurch.

Buses from all major centers stop in Wanaka. Timetable here

Approximate distances:

The town is compact and located on the lakeshore. It is an easy walk to shops and restaurants. A number of operators offer car or mountain bike hire.

The Leaning Tower of Wanaka, a focal point on the grounds of Puzzling World.

Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World, 443-7489, [1]. Located just outside of town, Puzzling World's major feature is The Great Maze, a 1.5km, two story maze of confusing passages. Also features dozens of opitical illusions and puzzles. Open daily 8:30am-5:00pm.
Warbird Museum, [2]. Showcases WW2 Fighter aircraft and more, featuring the Hurricane, Mustang, Spitfire and Polikarpov fighters.
Warbirds Over Wanaka, [3]. An air show held every second Easter long weekend (last was in 2004). See over 50 aircraft from the biplanes of WW1, the stars of WW2, the Korea fighters and the jets of Vietnam. Also military vehicles and Harley Davidson motor cycles.
Wanaka Beer Works, [4]. Located at Wanaka Transport Museum. Learn about the brewing process and sample a brew or two in the tasting room.

Fishing, the surrounding lakes and rivers offer superb Fly Fishing. The rivers are stocked with both Brown and Rainbow Trout.
Skiing, Lake Wanaka is both a skiers and snowboarders paradise. Close to 4 ski resorts. Heliskiing and cross country skiing are also possibilities.
- Treble Cone
- Cardrona This is the highest ski field in New Zealand
- Waiorau Snowfarm
- Harris Mountains Heliski
Wine, take a tour around the local estates