Wānaka

Scenic view of a mountain range with snow-capped peaks in the background, several large lakes with blue water in the middle ground, and rolling green hills and cliffs in the foreground.

Wānaka is a relaxed lakeside town surrounded by mountains, known for its peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty.

The name Wānaka comes from Māori and is often associated with learning, knowledge and connection to the land.

Compared to nearby Queenstown, Wānaka offers a slower pace,

making it a perfect place to unwind while still having access to incredible outdoor experiences.

⭐ Don’t Miss

Wānaka Tree

Standing alone in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Wānaka, the famous Wanaka Tree has become one of New Zealand's most photographed landmarks.

What makes it special isn't its size or age, but its unique location. Growing directly from the lake, the tree creates a striking scene that changes with the seasons, the weather, and the light. On calm mornings, its reflection can be perfectly mirrored in the water, creating the image that has made it famous around the world.

Over the years, the Wanaka Tree has become an icon for photographers, attracting visitors from sunrise to sunset in search of the perfect shot.

📸 For the best experience, visit early in the morning when the lake is calm and the crowds are smaller.

Fun Fact: Despite being one of New Zealand's most photographed trees, the Wanaka Tree is actually a willow tree growing in a spot that was once part of an old fence line before the lake level changed.

wanaka tree Person holding a black traveler's book titled 'New Zealand Traveler's Book' with a background of a scenic landscape including a tree, water, and mountains.
wanaka tree A person holding a card with Olympic symbols over a body of water, with leafless tree in the foreground and mountains in the background.
A solitary tree with sparse leaves on a grassy area near a body of water, reflecting its silhouette and the mountain range in the background during twilight or early morning.
A solitary tree with sparse leaves situated near a body of water, with mountains in the background during sunset or sunrise.

Wānaka

Captivating view of Helard House building with modern design, featuring large windows and beige exterior, adjacent to Wānaka Visitor Information signage, with cloudy sky above and outdoor seating area with a potted plant.

🛂 Wānaka isite Visitor Information Centre

Green highway sign with white text that reads 'Back to Cities List' and an arrow pointing upward to the right.

Roys Peak

Roys Peak is one of New Zealand's most iconic hikes and for many visitors, it's the highlight of their trip to Wānaka.

The track climbs steadily from farmland all the way to the summit, reaching an elevation of 1,578 metres above sea level. While the trail itself is technically straightforward, don't underestimate it. The hike gains over 1,200 metres of elevation and typically takes 5 to 7 hours return, depending on fitness and how many photo stops you make.

So why is Roys Peak so famous?

The answer is the view. About two-thirds of the way up, you'll reach the famous Roys Peak viewpoint, where a narrow ridgeline extends towards Lake Wānaka. This is one of the most photographed locations in New Zealand, with panoramic views of the lake, Mount Aspiring National Park, and the surrounding Southern Alps.

Continue to the summit and the views become even more spectacular, stretching across countless mountains, valleys, and lakes.

Local Tip: Start before sunrise if possible. You'll avoid the hottest part of the day, encounter fewer people, and watch the first light illuminate Lake Wānaka below. Many photographers consider sunrise the best time to experience Roys Peak.

A person wearing a white shirt, beige pants, and a red hat is jumping with arms and legs outstretched on a mountain trail near a steep, grassy slope, with a deep blue lake and snow-capped mountains in the background.
A young lamb standing on a dirt mound in a landscape with green hills, a blue lake, and mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.
A person standing on a mountain ridge overlooking a blue lake and mountain range under a partly cloudy sky.

Lake Wānaka Waterfront

The Lake Wānaka Waterfront is the heart of the town and the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the stunning scenery that makes Wānaka so special.

Take a walk along the lakefront, relax on the beach, watch paddleboarders and kayakers on the water, or simply enjoy the incredible mountain views surrounding the lake. The waterfront is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset, when the mountains are reflected in the calm waters of Lake Wānaka.

Just a short stroll from the lake, you'll find a variety of boutique shops, outdoor stores, cafés, restaurants, and local galleries. Whether you're looking for a coffee, a meal, or a bit of shopping, the town centre is only steps away from the waterfront.

Two people standing at the edge of a body of water during sunset or sunrise, with mountains in the background and the sky lit with soft yellow light.
Two hands holding New Zealand travel books and a sticker sheet featuring iconic locations and landmarks of South Island, New Zealand, with mountains and a lake in the background during sunset or sunrise.
A serene lakeside scene with a pier extending into the water, calm water reflecting the cloudy sky, and mountains in the background.

🛂 Looking for your NZ Travel Passport?

You can purchase the passport and collect the official Wānaka stamp at:

📍 Wānaka i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
Official Passport & Stamp Location

The building has signs for Helard House, Wanaka, and a yoga studio. There are flags, outdoor seating, a trash bin, and greenery in front of the establishment.
A display of New Zealand-themed travel stickers and brochures. The stickers feature various landmarks and animals, including Mount Cook, Kaikoura, Milford Sound, and the Wānaka tree, as well as animals like penguins and a lamb. To the right, there are brochures titled 'New Zealand Traveler's Book' in a transparent holder.

Puzzling World

A visit to Puzzling World is one of Wānaka's most unique and family-friendly experiences.

Opened in 1973, this iconic attraction combines optical illusions, puzzle rooms, and one of the world's largest outdoor mazes. It's a place where things aren't always what they seem, making it just as entertaining for adults as it is for children.

Inside, you'll find a series of illusion rooms that challenge your perception, including tilted rooms, holograms, and mind-bending displays that make for some fantastic photos. Outside, visitors can test themselves in the famous maze, a fun challenge that can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour depending on how quickly you find your way out.

Whether you're travelling with family, friends, or on your own, Puzzling World offers a fun break from hiking and outdoor adventures.

Colorful tilted houses with red, yellow, green, and blue roofs behind a sign that reads 'PUZZLING WORLD.' The background features a blue sky with white clouds and tall green trees.
A large, tilted clock tower at Learning Tower of Wānaka in New Zealand with two people posing beside it under a clear blue sky.
People standing inside a room with pink and white walls, some looking at the camera, one holding a wide-brimmed hat, others in casual attire, with a display screen on the wall behind them.

Lavander Farm

Just a few minutes from central Wānaka, the Wānaka Lavender Farm is one of the region's most colourful and relaxing attractions.

Visitors can wander through rows of fragrant lavender, meet friendly farm animals, enjoy homemade lavender products, and sample treats made right on the farm. It's a peaceful place to slow down, take photos, and enjoy the beautiful mountain surroundings.

The best time to visit is during the lavender flowering season, which typically runs from late November through to early February. Peak bloom is usually December and January, when the fields are covered in vibrant purple flowers and the farm is at its most spectacular.

Outside of the flowering season, the farm remains open and still offers beautiful gardens, animals, and its popular lavender products.

A woman wearing sunglasses, a black t-shirt, beige pants, and orange shoes is walking through a field of purple lavender flowers. She is smiling and holding her right arm out. Behind her, a large purple door is framed by a white square structure. In the background, there are mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
A woman with dark hair and sunglasses on her head, smiling among a field of purple lavender flowers.
A woman riding a purple tractor through a lavender field under a bright blue sky with some scattered clouds and green trees and hills in the background.

Cardrona

Located between Wānaka and Queenstown, Cardrona Alpine Resort is one of New Zealand's most famous mountain destinations and a year-round playground for adventure lovers.

❄️ Winter Season

During winter, Cardrona transforms into one of the country's premier ski and snowboard resorts. With wide groomed runs, beginner-friendly slopes, and advanced terrain parks, it's popular with everyone from first-time skiers to Olympic athletes.

Cardrona is internationally recognised for its world-class freestyle facilities, regularly hosting elite training camps and competitions. Many Olympic and Winter X Games athletes train here thanks to its renowned halfpipes, jumps, rails, and terrain parks.

☀️Summer Season

When the snow melts, Cardrona becomes a mountain adventure destination.

Mountain bikers can explore a growing network of trails, while families can enjoy scenic chairlift rides and spectacular views across the Southern Alps. One of the most popular summer attractions is the Mountain Carting, where riders descend the mountain on three-wheeled gravity-powered carts, combining the fun of a go-kart with incredible alpine scenery.

⭐ Author's Choice:

Cardrona Mountain Carting

Of all the activities I've done in New Zealand, Cardrona Mountain Carting is my personal favourite.

It's difficult to describe until you've tried it yourself. After taking the chairlift high into the mountains, you're handed a three-wheeled gravity-powered cart and sent down a winding alpine track with incredible views stretching across the Southern Alps.

Part go-kart, part mountain adventure, and part rollercoaster, Mountain Carting combines speed, scenery, and pure fun in a way that's completely unique. The carts are easy to control, making the experience suitable for both families and thrill-seekers.

What makes it special isn't just the ride itself, but the setting. You're racing down a mountain surrounded by some of New Zealand's most spectacular alpine landscapes.

I've skydived, snowboarded, jet boated, bungy jumped, and explored countless places around New Zealand, but if I had to choose just one activity to do again tomorrow, it would be Mountain Carting at Cardrona.

The second Mountain cart video is when i visited for the first time with friends, now its a must do every year.