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Wanaka

NZ Wanaka2
NZ Wanaka Lavenderfarm
NZ Wanaka Mount Roy

Laidback Wanaka has a claim to be Queenstown’s cooler sibling.

Another little town on a lake (Lake Wanaka) and presided over by mountains, Wanaka is smaller than Queenstown. Offering similar adventure activities, but a less hectic, frenzied centre, Wanaka is an excellent place to get your day-time adventure thrills before an evening relaxing in quirky bars and modern restaurants.

As well as great day hikes in the nearby Mt. Aspiring National Park — such as to the Rob Roy Glacier, the Blue Pools and Mt. Brewster — travellers with more limited time can take a tour out to Mou Waho, an island in the middle of Lake Wanaka. This little island in a lake has it’s own lake at its summit, a 20-minute hike from the landing jetty.

Wanaka travel guides

Active Adventures In New Zealand
Guide

Active Adventures In New Zealand

Nicole Canning
Nicole Canning

New Zealand must be in contention for title of adventure travel capital of the world. The list of white-knuckle thrills you can seek out here knows no bounds.
New Zealand's Best Road Trips
Guide

New Zealand's Best Road Trips

Elen Turner
Elen Turner

With just four million people spread over two main islands, nature and dramatic scenery rules in New Zealand.From the high Southern Alps that run the length of the South Island to the volcanic peaks of the North Island, the watery passages of the Marlborough Sounds and Fiordland to the geothermal activity of the central North Island, the golden sands of Northland beaches to the black sands of the west coast of both islands – there’s a lot to see on a self-drive route through New Zealand.

Wanaka itineraries

Southern adventure loop
New Zealand

Southern adventure loop

Thrill seeking around South Island
10 days From NZ$3,499 pp
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South Island Circular Road Trip
New Zealand

South Island Circular Road Trip

Explore the mountains of the South Island
14 days
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