12 of the best things to do in Wānaka for adventure lovers
Wānaka is an epic adventure hub with plenty of outdoorsy activities nearby. This is my travel guide to the little lakeside town, with my favourite things to do, places to eat, and dreamy places to stay.
Sunset from Isthmus Peak
Wānaka is a small town on a lake of the same name.
Like Queenstown, it’s stunning because of the mountains that ring the water. Most of the things to do around Wanaka involve some version of exploring this dramatic landscape.
Although the town of Wanaka isn’t particularly interesting — like a lot of New Zealand towns, it’s fairly bland but has some good places to eat — I love stopping by for the hiking.
It’s a great stopover on the way to or from Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, and the ideal base for exploring Mount Aspiring National Park.
In this guide, I’ve pulled together my favourite ways to spend time in Wanaka. I love the outdoors and getting into the mountains, so if you’re also game for sunrise missions and plunging into icy lake water, you might also find some things here to enjoy.
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What to do in Wanaka
Once you’ve walked around the lakefront, and got a glimpse of the famous yet underwhelming Wanaka Tree, you can spend your time checking out these other attractions.
1. Hike the Rocky Mountain track (for sunrise if you're brave)
One of my favourite activities in Wanaka was hiking up Rocky Mountain for sunrise.
I started before dawn (in late March, so sunrise wasn’t too early) and made it to the top in around 1.5 hours. The round trip is roughly 3-4 hours.
I reached the summit just before the sun came up, and loved the views of Lake Wanaka, the Matukituki Valley, and the surrounding peaks bathed in a pink glow.
I took coffee up there, of course, and had it mostly to myself for an hour or so.
Even if you’re not a die hard sunrise fan like me, it’s an epic little track to check out, and much more manageable than other hikes to higher peaks in the area.
Quick aside: If you’re curious about my camping coffee setup, here’s my classic camping gearlist.
2. Hike Isthmus Peak — an awesome alternative to Roy’s Peak
Because I am a nut, I actually hiked up Isthmus peak for sunset the same day I hiked Rocky mountain for sunrise.
You really don’t have to be as keen as me, but I do recommend Isthmus Peak if you get the chance. Although Roy’s Peak gets all the glory, Isthmus Peak is also an epic hike with awesome views.
At 1385 metres, Isthmus Peak offers a spectacular vantage point to view the Wanaka region.
The track is a long, steady climb up the mountain that sits between Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea. It’s mostly through sheep and deer grazing land, so I put headphones in and powered up most of the way without stopping.
The trail is well-maintained, marked with poles, and mostly wide and gravel. Although fairly long (16 kilometres, or 5-7 hours) it’s a manageable hike for intermediate hikers, because the track is well-maintained.
I made the top for sunset, which was beautiful. From the top, you can see across both Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka.
The view from Roy’s Peak
A quick note on Isthmus Peak vs Roys Peak
The Roy's Peak hike is one of the most iconic hiking trails in Wanaka. It offers panoramic views of Lake Wanaka, the surrounding Southern Alps, and the picturesque landscapes of Otago.
Seeing the view from Roy’s Peak is frequently cited as Wanaka must-do.
The highlight of the hike is reaching the summit of Roy's Peak, which stands at an elevation of 1,578 meters (5,177 feet). From the top, you’re rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views of the turquoise-blue Lake Wanaka, the sparkling Lake Hawea in the distance, and the peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park.
It is undeniably epic.
But, it is also incredibly popular. If you do it, you can expect to see A LOT of other people on the track, and lining up for the classic view point photo at the top.
Most people head up at sunrise (this is what I did) which means you can beat some of the crowds and do the boring part of the track in the dark. A lot of the trail is just through sheep country, so not that exciting at all — it’s the view from the top people go for.
Should you do Roy’s Peak? If you don’t mind being part of a crowd, go for it.
If you prefer to hike for the solitude and nature, I definitely recommend Isthmus instead. The views are still amazing.
3. Visit the Secret Sauna at Lake Hawea
Photo via Secret Sauna
The Secret Sauna is probably one of the best little hidden gems near Wanaka.
It’s located on the shores of Lake Hawea, the little sister of Lake Wanaka. It only takes around 15 minutes to get there from Wanaka.
You should pay a visit to Lake Hawea anyway — I think the water is a clearer, brighter blue than Wanaka, ideal for swimming — and make sure you visit the sauna while you’re there.
It’s a little woodfired barrel sauna right by the lake. A pretty perfect way to appreciate the lake and the mountains, especially after a day of hiking.
4. See the highlights of Mount Aspiring National Park on the Siberia Experience
Mount Aspiring is my favourite national park in New Zealand. There’s something about the beech forests and bright blue rivers that make the park feel surreal — truly Middle Earth type of beauty.
If you want to see the best of the park in a short amount of time, I highly recommend the Siberia Experience.
A 25 minute scenic flight will carry you across glacier-studded mountains, giving you a superb view of the landscapes.
After landing in a field of golden grass by Siberia Hut, you’ll follow a wilderness track through the remote Siberia Valley. The hike takes around three hours, and the trail is well formed and mostly downhill.
I loved doing this walk; on the way I spotted native birds like kakariki and riflemans, tomtits and South Island robins.
Once you reach the river in the Wilkin Valley, you’ll get picked up in a jet boat. The last 30 minutes of your trip will be an exhilerating ride as you’re whisked across the clear waters of the Wilkin and Makarora Rivers.
I explored the Siberia Valley on a four day hike, but the Siberia Experience is a great way of packing it all into one day.
5. Go on a boat cruise to Mou Waho Island and see a lake within a lake
One of the most unique features of Wanaka is the island in the lake, which itself has a lake, and another island within that lake.
Go there, and you can say you’ve visited an island in a lake, on an island in a lake, in a lake on an island in the ocean.
‘Mou Waho’ translates to ‘outer island’ and is the largest of the four islands in Lake Wanaka.
There are daily trips to Mou Waho, with both morning and afternoon options.
6. Kayak out to Ruby Island in Lake Wanaka
Paddle Wanaka rents out kayaks and SUPs, giving you a fun way to explore Lake Wanaka from the water.
Even better is their option to go for a kayak cruise. This includes kayak rental so you can paddle out to Ruby Island in the lake. It’s an hour of paddling, which for most non-enthusiasts is the perfect amount of time.
The island is a beaut spot for a picnic or sunbathing — take a towel, and a book, and enjoy being sequestered away from the town in this idyllic spot. There’s also a short loop track around the island.
A boat shuttle will pick you up and then you can enjoy a 10 minute boat trip back to the mainland, without having to worry about slogging back in your kayak.
You can of course rent a kayak for the whole trip, but the cruise option is a lovely way to enjoy the best of both adventure and relaxation.
7. Climb the world’s highest waterfall cable climb with Wild Wire Wanaka
If you can climb a ladder, you can tackle the highest waterfall climb in the world.
Wildwire Wanaka is a very cool, very adventurous enterprise that will test your limits and give you a completely unique way of experiencing the landscapes around Wanaka.
Lord of the Rungs is a via ferrate cable climb — the highest in the world, according to Wildwire. It’s a 450 metre climb, but you can choose levels based on your experience and thirst for adrenaline.
the world’s highest waterfall cable climb. Reaching the top will take you through 450m of vertical terraine.
Steel rungs and cables will lead you to exceptional mountain views. If you want a thrilling adventure activity in Wanaka, this is it.
Wildwire Wanaka is known for supporting community and conservation initiatives. By supporting this business, you’re supporting the Wanaka community!
Find out more about the Love Wanaka fund, which Wildwire proudly support.
8. Go wine tasting at local cellar doors
Central Otago is one of New Zealand’s best wine regions. It’s known for producing world-leading Pinot Noirs, but my favourite varietal has to be the Rieslings from the area.
Family-owned Maude Wines does an absolutely amazing off-dry Riesling.
And, they have a tasting room in Wanaka town, with views of the lake.
Located on a hill just 10 minutes from the town centre, Rippon is another celebrated local vineyard which offers free cellar door tastings — just make an appointment via their website. The view from Rippon is as stunning as the wines they produce.
Aitken’s Folly is another family-run Wanaka vineyard offering tastings on the outskirts of town.
9. Walk to the Blue Pools, a short walk in Mount Aspiring National Park
Yes, this is another walk recommendation in Mount Aspiring National Park.
But truly, if there is one short walk you do around Wanaka, it should be this one.
They aren’t called the Blue Pools for nothing; the water is stunning.
The trail begins at a car park just off the Haast Pass Highway, approximately 70 kilometres north of Wanaka. The walk takes you through native beech forest, providing a pleasant and shaded pathway as you make your way to the Blue Pools.
The pools are known for their striking blue colour, which is a result of the water's purity and the way light reflects off the fine glacial sediment at the bottom.
The crystal-clear water of the Blue Pools is so inviting you might feel compelled to take a swim — just beware that the water is icy cold, even in the heat of summer.
10. Hike to the Rob Roy Glacier
The walk to Rob Roy glacier is billed as one of the best half day walks in New Zealand.
It’s a lovely hike through beech forest, with views across the blue, braided river that flows through the Matukituki Valley.
The path climbs to a spectacular amphitheatre in the mountains, from where you can see a waterfalls crashing off cliffs, and the Rob Roy glacier slowly inching its way down off the mountain tops.
It takes around two hours to drive from Wanaka to the Raspberry Creek Carpark — even though it’s only a distance of 52 kilometres. The road is narrow, unsealed, and features a number of small fords. It also crosses farmland, so you may see cattle wandering across the road as well.
I have done the drive in rental cars that aren’t particularly hefty, so as long as there hasn’t been any heavy rain, you should be fine.
As long as you’re comfortable with all of that, the Rob Roy hike makes an excellent day trip from Wanaka, and it’s a fantastic thing to do if you’d like to see more of Wanaka’s incredible scenery.
11. Go on an overnight hike in the Matukituki Valley
Some of my favourite hiking tracks in the whole country start from the Raspberry Creek Carpark, the same place the Rob Roy Glacier track starts from.
For newbie hikers or families, Mount Aspiring Hut is an awesome overnight destination. The hut is well kitted out, with flushing toilets, lights, and a cosy interior.
More intrepid hikers can carry on to Liverpool or French Ridge huts — two of the South Island’s most stunning alpine huts. You have to book them in advance because they are popular, and the trails leading up to them are steep, but the views are spectacular.
Cascade Saddle is a challenging but rewarding hike up to a high saddle with views of Dart Glacier. You can walk this as an out and back trail, or carry on over the other side to the Rees-Dart track.
I was scared of how steep this track would be, but did it as a day hike from Mount Aspiring Hut and it was fantastic.
Unbeatable views of the glacier, and perfect serenity up in the alpine tops.
12. Tour the Cardrona Distillery
What to do in Wanaka when it rains? Head to the Cardona Distillery (although it’s brilliant in any weather).
The Cardrona Distillery is a small, craft distillery located on the golden hills of the Crown Range a 20 minute drive from Wanaka. The distillery uses pure alpine water to make their spirits.
The location alone is stunning — it makes a great excuse to stop in Cardrona on the drive from Queenstown to Wanaka. But stepping into the glass and stone building for a distillery tour is a fascinating way to learn more about the craft of making artisan spirits.
Barley grown on the Canterbury plains is milled on site, before being fermented and the liquid held in Cardrona’s stunning copper stills.
Taking a tour gives you a nice reason to pick up a bottle of vodka or gin, as well.
Where to stay in Wanaka
Luxury
Wanaka is prime glamping country. Check out the Cross Hill Glamping Domes for a special stay.
Budget
I stayed in the Haka House Hostel close to the lakefront. It was on the expensive side, but much nicer than the other hostels I have stayed in around Wanaka.
Camping
I parked up in the Albert Town Campground for $10 a night and loved it — spacious, right by the river, and pretty quiet.
A friend stayed at The Camp in Lake Hawea and enjoyed it.
I also loved the Kidds Bush Reserve Campsite, which is further away but stunning. Taking a dip in the lake first thing in the morning was gorgeous.
Where to eat in Wanaka
For a small town, Wanaka punches above its weight with restaurants. Eating out in Wanaka is a fun way of exploring Central Otago’s finest produce and ingredients, from creative local chefs.
Muttonbird is one of Wanaka’s best restaurants. The funky, laid-back restaurant features retro decor with old-school snow skis and fly fishing rods tacked to the wall, and through the windows you have a spectacular view of the mountains.
Muttonbird highlights seasonal fare from farmers and producers across Otago and New Zealand. Sharing plates focus on simple food done well. The menu changes often, but you can expect to find a lot of lamb — tongue, neck and ribs — beef carpaccio, and chicken liver parfait.
Paloma is located in The Precinct, Wānaka’s sleek laneway. Colourful and friendly, Paloma serves Mexican food with New Zealand ingredients. Tortillas are made using whole corn kernels sourced from a farmer in Napier, and the tacos are topped with things like beef cheeks and forest mushrooms.
Another cosy spot is Francesca's Italian Kitchen, which unsurprisingly serves delicious Italian dishes, including wood-fired pizzas, homemade pasta, and an excellent wine selection.
In the morning, head to Pembroke Patisserie, an artisanal French bakery in Albert town. This is a great spot for morning pastries and coffee, or to grab a pie or other flaky, buttery snack.
On a sunny afternoon, Rhyme and Reason Brewery is a popular place to enjoy a wide selection of craft beers, including pale ales, IPAs, stouts, and more.
Ground Up Brewing is another awesome brewery to check out — it’s a family-owned and operated craft brewery with a focus on creating high-quality, small-batch beers, including a variety of pale ales and experimental brews.
A few quick tips for visiting Wanaka
How long to stay
Most of the top attractions in Wanaka are outside the town itself, so I would recommend staying for at least two nights to give yourself time to explore the region. Wanaka town isn’t that interesting — it’s more of a base for exploring.
Staying in Wānaka for two nights will give you the chance to tackle one of the famous walks in the area, visit a vineyard for a leisurely afternoon, and explore the town and the lakefront.
Stay for three nights and you’ll have more time for day trips near Wānaka, such as visiting the Blue Pools or Lake Hawea.
Choosing between Queenstown and Wanaka
Both Queenstown and Wānaka are adventure hubs in the South Island. The key difference is that Queenstown is larger and livelier, with more options for nightlife, restaurants, and places to stay. It’s also more geared toward adventure activities like jet boating and bungy jumping. Wānaka is more laid back, with a slower pace of life and a bigger focus on hiking.
If you’re trying to decide between Queenstown and Wanaka, it just depends on what you prefer — a faster pace or something a little more tranquil.
When to visit
Wanaka is a really beautiful place to visit in autumn/fall, as many of the trees around the lake go gold and orange. I had a particularly beautiful stay at the Albert Town Campground in late April, where the trees were practically glowing with autumn colour.
Wanaka itineraries
You can easily add Wanaka into these itineraries:
If you like my recommendations, you might also want to check out these posts:
AUTHOR BIO
I’m a freelance travel writer from New Zealand with bylines in National Geographic Travel, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and more.
I’ve travelled up and down beautiful Aotearoa and I love sharing my recommendations for the best places to visit in New Zealand.
