Wānaka & Surrounds

Wānaka sits at the southern end of Lake Wānaka — a lake so long and clear that the mountains on the far shore seem to be floating. The town is smaller and quieter than Queenstown, with a character that is more genuinely outdoors-oriented: people come here to climb, ski, walk, and simply be in the landscape. That 'That Wānaka Tree' — a lone willow growing from the lake's edge — is one of the most photographed trees on earth, and in person it earns every photograph.

The Matukituki Valley extends west from Wānaka toward Mount Aspiring National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage wilderness of glaciers, braided rivers, and peaks that rise above 3,000 metres. Access by helicopter, or on foot via Rob Roy Glacier, is transformative. In winter, Treble Cone and Cardrona ski fields draw those who want quality terrain without Queenstown's crowds. The Wānaka region's food and dining scene has matured considerably in recent years — Ritual, Francesca's, and a growing number of cellar doors in the Tarras and Luggate wine areas make it a genuine gastronomic destination in its own right.