Situated near Mt Aspiring National Park in Central Otago, Wanaka township is in the southwest of the South Island. During the summer, holiday-makers to Lake Wanaka can enjoy swimming, boating, trout fishing, water-skiing and world-renowned hiking trails. Mount Cardrona and Treble Cone ski resorts offer a relaxed and friendly atmosphere for winter visitors to the Southern Lakes area.
Getting in and around Wanaka
Wanaka Airport
Fly into Wanaka Airport via Christchurch or consider driving, or take the spectacular one-hour 45-minute coach journey over the Crown Range Road from nearby Queenstown. Shuttle services from the airport into town are available and most Lake Wanaka accommodation is within walking distance to shops and restaurants.
Wanaka Transport
If you are staying further out of town, there are taxi services, car/bike hire available and local transport providers also offer services to popular destinations.
Wanaka Car Hire
Wanaka car hire is available from the major car rental companies.
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Wanaka accommodation
Lively Wanaka backpacker hostels through to luxury lodges and boutique B & B's, Wanaka accommodation combines the warmth of a small town with the quality you would expect from an international holiday destination.
Luxury
Lakeside Apartments. The apartments are centrally located and designed to maximise the lake and alpine view from each room.Tiritiri Lodge Designed to maximise the lake and alpine view from each room, the lodge is located on the eastern shore of Lake Wanaka and along with excellent food and wine, offers relaxation in luxurious lounges and offers a cedar hot tub.
Cardrona Terrace Estate A lodge for all seasons, set in a boutique vineyard only 5 minutes from Wanaka, offering 50 acres of privacy amongst the mountains.
Mid-range
Oakridge Resort Wanaka is located in the heart of the Cardrona Valley, just two minutes' drive to the city centre and the Wanaka lakefront. This resort offers a variety of accommodation options in a stunning mountain setting.
Edgewater Hotel offers a spacious and tranquil haven on the edge of the lake and has breathtaking alpine and water views. Grand Mercure Oakridge Wanaka located in the heart of the Cardrona Valley, just two minutes drive to the city centre and the Wanaka lakefront, this property offering a variety of accommodation options is spread over 1.5 hectares in a stunning mountain setting.
Edgewater Resort Offering a spacious and tranquil haven this resort is located on the edge of the lake and has breathtaking alpine and water views.
Budget
Manuka Crescent Motel. An ideal base for Wanaka, situated in a quiet location two kilometres from the town centre.
Alpine Motel. Spacious, self-contained motel serviced accommodation with family and studio units with mountain views. Manuka Crescent Motel An ideal base for Wanaka, situated in a quiet location 1.5kms from the town centre (15 min stroll).
Alpine Motel Apartments Spacious, self-contained motel serviced accommodation with family and studio units with mountain views, only 3 min walk to central township & lake.
Backpackers
YHA Wanaka. With views over the lake and mountains, this backpackers is close to cafes and the supermarket and offers rooms with ensuite bathrooms, a spacious lounge area with cosy log fires, great kitchen and laundry facilities, sunny decks, a pool table, and secure ski storage. The Purple Cow Backpackers Hostel With views over the lake and mountains, this alpine lodge is close to cafes and the supermarket and offers rooms with ensuite bathrooms, a spacious lounge area with cosy log fires, great kitchen and laundry facilities, sunny decks, pool table, and secure ski storage.
Wanaka Bakpaka The only hostel in Wanaka located right on the lakeside with picture postcard views, only 5 minutes stroll to the centre of town.
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Things to do in Wanaka
Wanaka is a beautiful place to visit and there is so much to see and do.
Brown and rainbow trout fishing. Take advantage of the superb brown and rainbow trout fishing and hire a guide to take you fly-fishing on the lakes, rivers and streams in the area.
Snow Farm is perfect for ski hire and lessons. You can also rent snow shoes and explore the Southern Alps.
Puzzling World Wanaka. Get lost in a world of jigsaw puzzles, the great maze and illusion rooms.
Wanaka Beerworks. Visit the cheerful Wanaka Beerworks, a boutique brewery located next to Wanaka airport.
Lake Wanaka is a playground for sailors, water-skiers, kayakers and wind surfers. You can also go white water sledging or canyoning on the rivers.
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Day trips in and around Wanaka
Mount Aspiring. Nestled in one of the country's largest national parks is Mount Aspiring (3,033 metres). Take a drive and a short stroll into the mountains or go mountaineering with a professional guide.
Wanaka Golf Club is an 18 hole course suitable for golfers of all abilities, offering spectacular views of the lake and mountains.
strong> Ski fields of Treble Cone and Cardrona. During winter, the ski fields of Treble Cone and Cardrona offer a mix of terrain for all abilities of skiers or snowboarders (heli-skiing and heli-boarding also available).
Milford Sound, Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring. Enjoy a scenic flight over Milford Sound, Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring.
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