11 minute read
WANAKA
DRIVING DISTANCES:
WANAKA TO:
Christchurch 425 kms, 6 hrs
Fox Glacier 260 kms, 3 hrs 15 mins
Mount Cook 214 kms,
Queenstown (via the Crown Range) 91 kms, 1 hr
Queenstown (via Cromwell) 117 kms, 1 hr 20 mins
Dunedin 276 kms, 3 hrs
Picton 773 kms, 14 hrs
A Destination For All Seasons
Translated from Māori, Wanaka means ‘rejuvenation of the soul’, a very apt name for an alpine town in the heart of a spectacular setting. With four distinctive seasons, there is always something special in and around Lake Wanaka.
TOP NATURAL ATTRACTIONS:
» Lake Wanaka, New Zealand’s 4th largest lake.
» Hiking in and scenic flights over World Heritage Listed Mt Aspiring National Park. At 3,033m Mt Aspiring has over 100 active glaciers.
» Trout fishing in the lake and surrounding areas.
» Winter skiing at Treble Cone and Cardrona.
» Autumn colours (starting late March) particularly stunning around Glendhu Bay.
» Award winning vineyards – the pinot noir is the region’s specialty.
Newly refurbished rooms offering quality and comfort only 150m from the sparkling waters of world-renowned Lake Wanaka. Just a one-minute walk to shops, restaurants, galleries, and wine bars. Purpose-built access units available. Amenities include free car parking, drying room and ski gear storage, and guest laundry.
WANAKA Wanaka TOP 10 Holiday Park
Wanaka TOP 10 is conveniently located, offering modern, warm units and sealed Campervan sites. Landscaped grounds, sheltered from the wind and only a short 10 minute walk to the lake edge. Our newly refurbished units, are warm, clean & comfortable. Step out of your unit and onto our large lawn, views of the mountain and lake.
Per Room From Oct 22 –Sep 23 Oct 23 –Sep 24
Powered sites 1-2 people only $63 $67
Family Studio $163 $173
One Bedroom Motel $310 POA
Affordable accommodation in a fantastic location, only a minute’s walk from the beautiful lake and bustling town centre. Fantastic on-site dining options at Bullock Bar Grill, Beanie Café and Amigos Mexican Care. Facilities include 24-hour reception, free WiFi, off-street parking, gift shop, guest kitchen and laundry.
Set amongst 6.5 hectares of stunning mountain landscape only a short drive from the town centre and lakefront, with a great range of accommodation to suit all travellers. The excellent range of amenities offers everything you need for a rejuvenating getaway; luxury day spa, outdoor heated rock pools, unheated lap pool, gym, free WiFi, restaurant and bar.
Per Room From Oct 22 –Mar
Stylish, self-catering motel and apartment accommodation for discerning travellers. Studio units offer stunning views of the lake and mountains; partial views from apartments. Step across the road to the lakefront, or take a three-minute stroll to shops, cafes, and restaurants in the town centre. Facilities include guest laundry and ski drying room. WiFi available.
Located within the park like surroundings of The Camp, Cross Hill Lodge and Domes have their own entrance and are nestled on the hill in their own exclusive area. Each of the six domes at Cross Hill has a 40sqm interior with a 30sqm deck, perfect to relax on and let your body absorb the surrounding forest and nature. The floor to ceiling windows enable guests to lie beneath the stars at night, cocooned, safe and warm (or cool) from the outside elements and the morning sunrises are out of this world.
Per Room From Oct 22 – May 23 Jun 23 – Mar 24
Double DBB $872 POA
Single DBB $718 POA
From the moment you step into your spacious guest room, you will be spellbound by the views of the mountains and azure blue lake, which is only metres from your room. Offering a true resort experience, facilities include a day spa, spa pools and sauna, tennis courts, putting green, restaurant, café, children’s playground, free WiFi, and free car parking.
Distinction Wanaka Alpine Resort
Nestled in a quiet location with wonderful mountain views, this resort offers top-quality self-contained apartments with a high level of personal comfort and convenience. Rooms feature fully-equipped kitchens, entertainment suites and private balconies. Amenities include Free WiFi, spa, swimming pool, BBQ area, tennis court, gym and secure and private car parking.
Puzzling World
Puzzling World is an iconic, unique attraction that since 1973 has fascinated people of all ages keen to engage in a fun, challenging and sensory experience. Encouraging problem solving and entertainment they invented the world’s first 3D maze and offer a huge Puzzle Café where you can try your hand at one of many brain-benders at the tables. Mind not boggled? - Visit the Illusion Rooms. From holograms, following faces and a shrinking room, to one where sculptures defy physics and another where objects glide uphill, your notion of reality will be tested.
Wildwire
Conquer the highest waterfall via ferrata in the world; in the most beautiful corner of the world... Wanaka, NZ. Via Ferrata, an iron walkway in Italian describes how you’ll be climbing up this spectacular waterfall. One step at a time, or one iron rung at a time, making this climb one to tick off from your bucket list. Our expert guides will be right there with you, every step of the way, so you can reach your peak and see Lake Wanaka from a stunning new perspective. Choose between our two tours Go Wild and Wild Thing. Each one lets you climb a little higher and is a little harder, but the rewards are truly worth it.
Lord of the Rungs – Lower - Waterfall Climb. If you can climb a ladder, you can Go Wild. This is a great taster for those who are hesitant adventurers or for families. The climb takes you into the heart of the waterfall, exposing hidden pools and fantastic views. Duration: 3hr round trip. Approximately 1hr of climbing. Fitness: Basic fitness required.
Adult Child (5-15yrs)
General Entry $30 $22
Skydive Wanaka
It’s not every day that you strap yourself to a beautiful stranger and leap from a perfectly good aircraft! Welcome to Skydive Wanaka - New Zealand’s most spectacular, multi award winning, high altitude tandem skydive! Your incredible scenic flight to altitude captures 360 degree views of New Zealand’s highest mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers. Freefall from up to 15,000 feet at 200kph and then soar under parachute above snow-capped peaks before landing safely back at the drop zone. Capture your impressive freefall smile on camera and break the news to your mother in style!
Skydiving is one of life's must-do experiences and here is the most stunning place to tick it off your bucket list.
Duration: Allow 4.5 hours from Queenstown or 3 hours from Wanaka. Free transport from Queenstown or Wanaka.
Per Person
12,000ft $378
15,000ft $481
Aspiring Helicopters
Slide on your aviators, slip on your headset, focus your camera and let Aspiring Helicopters take you on a once-ina-lifetime journey… It’s hard to beat a birds-eye view wherever you fly and the Southern Alps are no exception – in fact they’re right up there in the awe-inspiring beauty stakes. Situated in a modern hangar on a working High Country Station, Aspiring Helicopters are a small family owned and operated company boasting bespoke style flights with a focus on providing a professional and personable experience – we want you to go away smiling. All flights go on demand with a minimum of 2 adults.
Adult Child
Glacier Landing $462 $277
Aspiring and Glaciers $610 $369
Mighty Milford Sound $1,533 $913
Lord of the Rungs – Upper - Waterfall Climb. Find your inner Wild Thing and climb higher, right beside the waterfall. Our most popular climb is perfect for the more adventurous, with an ideal balance of challenge and achievability. Duration: 5hr round trip. Approximately 3hrs of climbing. Fitness: Good fitness required.
Included on all tours: Expert guide and training, helmets and harnesses, via ferrata lanyard and safety equipment, transport to/from Wanaka town centre, fingerless gloves, snacks and water, open all year round.
Adult Child (12-16yrs)
$153 Lord of the Rungs - Upper - Level 2 $307 $307
Lord of the Rungs - Lower - Level 1
Eco Wanaka Adventures
Mou Waho Island Cruise & Walk - Cruise to this unique and magical nature reserve, walk the track to the serene lake near the summit for amazing lake and alpine views. Our experienced guides will share their knowledge of local features as well as the diverse New Zealand birdlife including the rare flightless buff weka, extinct on the mainland. This is a not to be missed experience as the island is geologically unique with a lake on top, no introduced predators and magnificent panoramas of the Southern Alps dropping dramatically into Lake Wanaka. Departs 9am and 1.30pm. Duration 3.5 hours. Includes morning or afternoon tea. Min. 2 adults. Rob Roy Glacier Guided Walk - The most varied and spectacular one day walk in New Zealand. Swingbridge, glacier views, ice falls, mountain rainforest, alpine flowers and waterfalls - Rob Roy has it all! The jewel of Mt Aspiring National Park, this walk is graded moderate and is a maximum 5 hour fully guided walk with our local guides revealing this valley's secret places for that perfect shot of the glacier. Departs 9am from Wanaka accommodation. Duration Full day. Includes Gourmet sandwich lunch, hot and cold refreshments and walking poles. Min. 2 adults.
Alpine Lakes Heli Hike: Fly by helicopter, and land 1400m above the Matukituki Valley on a ridge in the World Heritage area bordering Mt Aspiring National Park. Here 3 pristine alpine lakes sparkle against the stunning backdrop of ice-capped Mt Aspiring (3033m) and her surrounding glaciers. Experience the majesty and solitude of this alpine environment as you begin your 2-hour leisurely hike through alpine tussock herb fields past emerald lakes and along spectacular ridges.3 Heli flights and 2 Alpine landings all with your personal guide. Departs: 8.30am or 1.30pm Nov – Apr Duration: 4 .5 hrs.
Includes: Morning or afternoon tea. Min. 2 Adults.
Mou Waho Island Cruise & Walk $262 $179
Rob Roy Glacier Guided Walk $344 $231
Alpine Lakes Heli Hike $922 $922
Ridgeline Adventures
Wild Hills Safari - An in-depth, authentic and educational adventure through the mountains of Wanaka's historic West Wanaka Station, a 30000 private farm on the edge of Mt Aspiring National Park. Exciting alpine 4WD backroads, encounters with free-ranging Red Deer, sheep and Angus Cattle, jaw-dropping scenery, leisurely nature walks and hands-on help with our predator control conservation project. All professionally delivered by our expert local New Zealand guides. This will be a guaranteed highlight of your holiday. Duration: 4 hours. Departs: 8:30am and 1:30pm Oct-April only.
Roy's Peak Experience - Begin with our exclusive Wanaka Highlights Safari followed by VIP helicopter pick up from the farm and short scenic flight (5 minutes) landing on Wanaka's famous Coromandel Peak (Roy's Peak) for photos. Duration: 3 hours. Departs: 8:30am, 10am, 1:30pm and 3pm year round.
COMBO OPTIONS:
Big Sky Safari - Wanaka Highlights Safari + Helicopter scenic flight and glacier landing. Duration: 3 hours.
Wanaka Nature Encounter - Wild Hills Safari + Lake cruise and Island Walk. Duration 8.5 hours.
Adult Child (15yrs and under)
Wild Hills Safari $266 $144
Roy's Peak Experience $686 $477
Combo Options
Paddle Wanaka
Imagine surrounding yourself with crystal clear water & the impressive Southern Alps mountain range. Paddle Wanaka offers exclusive guided kayaking & Stand Up Paddle (SUP) board activities on Lake Wanaka & the Clutha River.
Kayak & Cruise - Can’t decide between a kayak or a water taxi? Pick both! Our Kayak (or paddleboard) and Cruise package is a fun and affordable to get out on Lake Wanaka. Enjoy a comfortable paddle out along the coastline to Ruby Island and spend a couple of hours to relax, have a picnic or explore Wanaka’s closest island. To top it off, take a 10min boat ride back to town. It’s the perfect half-day activity!You’ll pick up your kayak from the Paddle Wanaka waterfront rental van and enjoy an hour paddle out to Ruby Island. It’s a small island, with a 20min loop track, so we suggest taking a picnic, book and towel to relax and enjoy. The Paddle Wanaka Island shuttle will pick you up at your designated departure time, and you can enjoy a 10min ride back to town.
Island Shuttle to Mou Waho - Hop aboard our Island Shuttle – Te Toa. We operate our Island Shuttle to Ruby Island, Stevensons Island, Glendhu Bay & Mou Waho or a tailored scenic shuttle to suit your time and needs. Enjoy Lake Wanaka on a powerboat ride and explore our local islands. Grab a blanket, pack a picnic, strap on your walking shoes and soak in the views.
Tiki Tour - Our Tiki Tour provides a kayaking journey exploring more of the remote areas of the lake. Start your day surrounded by the Southern Alps. Our half day Tiki Tour is designed to share our knowledge and make the most of the beautiful mornings kayaking on Lake Wanaka. Our local crew will show you the sweet spots, share some local tales, and have a good old yarn along the way. Combined with our water taxi Te Toa, this one way kayaking journey is a perfect activity for those keen to get active in the outdoors. Whether you live locally, or are you visiting our beautiful town on a weekend getaway, this easy kayaking trip is ideal for friends, couples, families and active oldies.
Adult Child (10-13yrs)
Kayak & Cruise $96 $64
Island Shuttle to Mou Waho $224 $173
Tiki Tour $306 $255
Adult Child
Big Sky Safari (4WD + Heli glacier landing) $907 $646
Wanaka Nature Encounter (4WD + Lake Cruise and Island Walk) $527 $323
Wanaka Wine Tours
Discover some of Wanaka and Central Otago’s wonderful vineyards and scenery, while meeting some of the numerous characters that produce these gorgeous, award-winning wines. We’ll take you to the little gems that are quietly making a big name for themselves with their dedication to produce the best possible wine. Here you’ll get up close and personal with the vineyard owners and wine makers. Small groups, personalised, fun and informative.
Classic Central Otago Wine Tour – Departs daily at 11.00am from Wanaka accommodation, returns approximately 5.30pm. Allow 6.5 hours Includes: All transport, friendly knowledgeable guide, 6 vineyard tastings, award - winning gourmet platter lunch at our favourite vineyard restaurant
Boutique Central Otago Wine Tour – Departs daily at 1pm from Wanaka accommodation, return approximately 5.30pm. Allow 4.5 hours. Includes: All transport, friendly, knowledgeable guide, tastings at 4 vineyards, including a gourmet platter to enjoy with your tastings.
MT ASPIRING NATIONAL PARK - FLY, HIKE & JETBOAT ADVENTURES
Departing from Makarora, 1 hr’s drive from Haast or 45 mins from Wanaka this is your opportunity to explore stunning World Heritage listed Mt Aspiring National Park. Siberia Wilderness Adventure - A 4 hour or half day wilder-ness experience combining a scenic flight, valley walk and jet boat ride. Start your experience in Makarora with a scenic helicopter flight taking in aerial views of the towering ice carved mountains and glaciers. Land in the remote Siberia Valley and enjoy a relaxing 3 hour walk on a well marked track. Rendezvous for a fast-paced return jet boat ride through the icy blue waters of the Wilkin and Makarora Rivers. Low energy level. Departs on demand.
The Jumboland Wilderness Adventure - A totally unique wilderness adventure requiring a moderate level of fitness. Start your Jumboland Adventure with a World Heritage scenic helicopter flight deep into the Mt Aspiring National Park. See ice carved mountains, glacial lakes and sweep into ancient river valleys while enjoying an informative commentary from your pilot. Set down in the remote untouched Jumboland, and enjoy 4 hours of hiking on a wilderness track through native rainforest running alongside the fish filled pools of the Wilkin River. Rendezvous with Wilkin River Jets for a thrilling river safari on not one but two stunning wilderness rivers back to Makarora. Departs on demand. (Child 3-13yrs)
Blue Pools Eco Adventure - A popular shorter walk option. Listen to the calls of tui and bell birds, while you spot trout resting in the bottom of the Blue Pools, then rendezvous with Wilkin River Jets and enjoy a spectacular river jet safari. Includes 2 hours of walking and a 1.5 hr Jet Boat Ride.
Operated by Wilken River Jet