Wānaka Township & Lakefront
Wānaka
A holiday town on the southern shore of Lake Wānaka, quieter and more relaxed than Queenstown, with lakeside walks, cafés and outdoor activities. Good for a stay of two or three nights.
Wānaka is a town of about 10,000 people on the shore of Lake Wānaka. It serves as a base for Mount Aspiring National Park, Mount Roy, and the Cardrona and Treble Cone ski fields. The lakefront walking track runs all the way to That Wanaka Tree. On the lake you can kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or take a boat to Mou Waho Island. Distinctive spots in town include the Paradiso old cinema and the Rippon lakeside winery. The drive from Queenstown over the Crown Range Road takes about 1 hour 10 minutes. Accommodation is tight in summer and during the ski season, so book ahead.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- That Wanaka Tree
- Puzzling World
- Roys Peak Track
- Cardrona Bra Fence
- Cardrona Hotel
- Cardrona Alpine Resort
- Crown Range Road Summit Lookout
- Old Cromwell Town