WANAKA, NEW ZEALAND
This small town of less than 10,000 people is situated right outside of Mount Aspiring National Park. Sitting picturesquely on Lake Wanaka, it is also home to one of the most interesting trees you will ever see. Last but not least, in true Kiwi fashion, Wanaka boasts two world-class hikes offering the views you see on this page. My eyes will never forget the time I spent in Wanaka!
Attractions:
Isthmus Peak Track: You cannot leave Wanaka without doing this trek! Yes, the 1,100m climb is both steep and challenging, but it makes the view that much more gorgeous! Once at the summit, you have an absolutely awe-striking, 360-degree panoramic view of both Lake Wanaka & Lake Hawea (see the photo at the top of this page). Depending on your pace, this 10-mile (16km) round-trip hike takes between 4-7 hours; the trailhead is 30 minutes outside of town. Note: From November 20 - December 20, this track is closed for fawning season.
Roy’s Peak Track: Arguably the more popular of the two hikes in Wanaka, this peak gives you a breath-taking view of Mount Aspiring and Lake Wanaka. The hike takes between 5-6 hours round-trip and climbs more than 1,200 meters over 10 miles (16km). It is tough but worth it! The trailhead is 10 minutes outside of town. Note: From October 1 - November 10, this track is closed for lambing season.
#ThatWanakaTree: This tree is so popular on Instagram that its name is a hashtag! Be sure to walk around the lake’s coastline to snap a few photos of this botanical anomaly. You cannot miss it as there is always a crowd here!
Blue Pools Track: On the drive between Wanaka and Fox Glacier, you will find this natural wonder. Keep your eyes peeled while you are driving because there is not much to show for this on the side of the road outside of a small sign. The walk to the pools is very easy and takes 1 hour round-trip. You certainly have to find a way to stop here. It is truly remarkable and just 1 hour from town!
Diamond Lake Walk: This area has many different trail options. The longest trek is 3 hours round-trip, while the shortest is 45 minutes. The trailhead is 20 minutes outside of town.
Wanaka Lavender Farm: During your visit to this 15-acre farm, you can meet farm animals, drink herbal tea, and walk through lavender fields and gardens. Entrance is $5-$10 NZD ($4-$7 USD) depending on the time of year.
Puzzling World: Visit here if you enjoy interactive brain-teasers! For $25 NZD ($18 USD), you can visit both the Great Maze and Illusion Rooms. This is not a must-do, but a great rainy day activity!
Skydive Wanaka: While Queenstown is better known for skydiving, you can also do it here! Prices do not differ much between the two cities. For a 15,000-foot jump in Wanaka, the price is $469 NZD ($339 USD) versus $479 NZD in Queenstown. In my opinion, it is worth spending the extra $10 NZD in Queenstown for the views you will see during your freefall.
Other things to do: Fern Burn Hut, Rippon Vineyard, Coromandel Peak, Glendhu Bay Lookout, Sticky Forest, Deep Canyon, and Gillespie Pass Circuit.
Accommodation:
Wanaka Bakpaka: This hostel is a bit tucked away from the city center offering an amazing view of the lake and an outdoor porch where you can enjoy meals. The walk into town is a relaxing 8-minute stroll along the lake. It does not get much better than this!
Transportation:
Wanaka is so small that it does not have a bus station; all buses below pick up and drop off in front of Lakeland Wanaka.
Queenstown is 1 hour by car from Wanaka. The bus ride is 2 hours and costs $24 NZD ($17 USD).
Lake Tekapo is 2.5 hours by car from Wanaka. The bus ride is 3.5 hours (indirect) and costs $77 NZD ($56 USD).
Mount Cook Village is 2.5 hours by car from Wanaka. The bus ride is 3.5 hours and costs $101 NZD ($73 USD).
Fox Glacier is 3.5 hours by car from Wanaka. The bus ride is 5.5 hours and costs $55 NZD ($40 USD).
Te Anau is 3.5 hours by car from Wanaka. The bus ride is 6 hours (indirect) and costs $73 NZD ($53 USD).
The Catlins are 4 hours by car from Wanaka. The bus and taxi ride is 6 hours and costs upwards of $200 NZD. The bus ride from Wanaka to Invercargill is 5 hours (indirect) and costs $75 NZD ($54 USD). From Invercargill, a taxi to the Catlins is 1 hour and costs $125-$175 NZD ($90-$126 USD).
Christchurch is 5.5 hours by car from Wanaka. The bus ride is 8 hours (indirect) and costs $110 NZD ($79 USD).
The closest airport to Wanaka is Queenstown Airport (ZQN), 63km (39 miles) away. Ritchies Wanaka offers a shuttle service between ZQN and Wanaka’s city center. The ride is 2 hours and costs $30 NZD ($22 USD); tickets must be booked in advance.
Thank you, Jackie and fellow hikers, for the great pictures!