That Wanaka Tree

That Wānaka Tree

A willow standing in the waters of Lake Wānaka. With snowy peaks and the lake as its backdrop, it is a world-famous photo landmark, especially beautiful at sunrise.

That Wānaka Tree (#ThatWanakaTree) is a willow growing in the shallow water of Lake Wānaka. It began as a fence post that sprouted, and with the Southern Alps and their reflections behind it, it has become one of New Zealand’s most photographed landmarks on Instagram. It stands on the shore of Roys Bay, about 1.5 km west of central Wānaka. It is a 15–20 minute walk along the lakeside path, or you can park near Wanaka Station Park. The best photo times are around sunrise, when the reflections are cleanest on calm mornings, and the blue hour after sunset. In autumn (April–May) the willow leaves turn yellow, and in winter the snowy mountains add to the scene. When the lake is low, the tree’s roots show above the water; when it is high, the tree seems to float on the surface. Do not wade into the water or climb the tree. In 2020, a visitor broke branches off, sparking controversy. Wānaka is a quieter lakeside resort town than Queenstown. From Queenstown, the drive over Crown Range Road (which can be icy in winter) takes about 1 hour 10 minutes, or about 1.5 hours via Cromwell. Along the way, you can visit Roys Peak (a much-photographed 5–6 hour round-trip hike), the Puzzling World maze and the Wānaka Lavender Farm (flowers bloom in December–January).

That Wanaka Tree

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Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby