Things to Do in Wanaka

Things to see and do in Wanaka, Wanaka highlights, Wanaka activities and attractions, and points of interest in Wanaka - the Jasons Wanaka Things to Do Guide is your complete guide to sightseeing in Wanaka.

Mount Aspiring National Park
A rugged 355,518ha alpine wilderness of forest-cloaked slopes, glacial mountains and river flats. There are excellent walking tracks for hikers, including the popular Routeburn Track, and adventure activities such as hunting and fishing. Shorter walks include a track to the Rob Roy Glacier (3hrs return), and the West Matukituki Valley track (4hrs return). Drivers along the Haast Highway enjoy outstanding views.
Adventure Activities
The Adventure Centre in Ardmore Street takes bookings for kayaking, parapenting, rock climbing, white-water sledging and rafting, skiing and canyoning. In winter, it houses the Harris Mountains Heli-skiing operation, which travels to 400 runs on seven separate mountain ranges.
Whitewater Sledging
Frogz Have More Fun offers thrillseekers the chance to sledge the rapids on purpose-designed boards.
Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World & Great Maze
Puzzling World is a world-unique attraction with an eccentric theme! Take some amazing photos of the crazy buildings and toilets, the Illusion Rooms must be seen to be believed and the worlds first 'modern-styled' Great Maze is excellent fun for the whole family.
Walks
There are 11 walks around the town, including a 30min lakeside walk to Beacon Point, a gentle climb up Mt Iron (45min) offering views of the rivers and mountains, and the 3hr Diamond Lake Track to the top of Rocky Hill, with its panoramic views. A Wanaka Walks brochure is published by the Department of Conservation.
Lake Wanaka
As well as excellent fishing and boating, the South Island's longest lake offers swimming, jetboating, waterskiing, and whitewater sledging. Lakeland Adventures by the jetty hires out canoes.
Treble Cone
The largest ski area in the South Island, Treble Cone's regular falls of dry powder and reliable weather make it one of the more popular fields. The slopes are well maintained and cater for skiers of all ages and abilities.
Waiorau Snow Farm
New Zealand's first commercial Nordic ski facility has track skiing, tubing and a winter testing ground.
Cardrona Alpine Resort
Located 35 minutes from Wanaka, Cardrona's three basins offer dedicated facilities for snowboarding, and skiing for all levels.
NZ Fighter Pilots Museum
Located at Wanaka airport, the museum houses WWII fighter planes still in working order, including a Mustang, Spitfire, Kittyhawk and Gruman Avenger. Aerial tours and flightseeing activities are available at the airport with Biplane Adventures
Warbirds over Wanaka
The Southern Hemisphere's biggest and most spectacular air show is held at Easter in even-numbered years. The event features some spectacular aerial displays from pilots in classic fighter planes, as well as an array of entertainment on the ground.
Wanaka Beer Works
Take a tour and sample the local beers. The brewery is some 10km from town, past the airport.

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It's out there. Go find it.

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Things to Do in Wanaka

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