Lake Wanaka Attractions and Activities

Wanaka – a beautiful lake in an awesome alpine setting. Laze away on the shore, or fill the day with adventure activities. Magnificent views wherever you look. With Wanaka Springs Lodge conveniently located in-town, we are the ideal base to enjoy the many Wanaka events, activities and tourist attractions.

Lake Wanaka in winter is the complete snow sports destination. Skiing in Wanaka gives you four alpine resorts to choose from - Cardrona, Treble Cone, Snow Park NZ and Snow Farm - which together cater for everyone on their Wanaka ski holiday. With an immense expanse of pristine mountain snow, heli-skiing in Wanaka’s alpine region is also very popular.

A golf holiday in Wanaka? – our superb 18 hole Wanaka Golf Course is a must. It has superb views and is right at our back-door. Wanaka’s Fly Fishing is world class – whether on the lake or one of the regions many rivers and streams. Alternatively, enjoy a tour of Central Otago’s Vineyards – famous for their Pinot Noirs and New Zealand’s fastest growing wine region.

Explore Mt Aspiring National Park with it’s choice of activities including day walks, tramping, rock climbing, mountaineering, canyoning, paragliding, mountain biking and jetboating - adventure activities abound. Exploring the region by air is just as easy with numerous flight-seeing operators keen to show off the national park with it’s towering peaks and many glaciers and alpine lakes. The flight to Milford Sound from Wanaka is spectacular and you can enjoy the cruise on the fjord before your return flight. Anther popular Wanaka activity is the “Siberia Experience” – a 30 minute flight over the Southern Alps into the Siberia Valley, a leisurely 3 hour bush walk, followed by a jetboat trip own the Wilkin River.

Spend a leisurely day cruising Lake Wanaka and visit Mou Waho or Stevenson’s Island (bird sanctuary). Or enjoy the thrill and adventure of a jet boat journey on the Matukituki or Wilkin Rivers which take you into the heart of the Mt Aspiring National park. Eco raft trips & kayaking are also available on the Clutha River.

Other Wanaka visitor attractions include one of the best displays of World War II aircraft in the world which are housed at the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum. Sited at Wanaka Airport, it forms the basis of the bi-annual “Warbirds over Wanaka” airshow. While at Wanaka Airport, visit the Toy & Transport Museum and taste our local brew at Wanaka Beerworks.

Activities in Wanaka can be booked through Wanaka Springs Lodge or can be arranged on your arrival. Contact Us.

Wanaka Holiday Resort - Lake Wanaka New Zealand