Lake Wanaka

Lake · Otago Region, 🇳🇿 New Zealand

Area 194 km²

Time zone Pacific/Auckland

Lake Wanaka – Planning a Trip?

Build your day-by-day itinerary in the Tripomatic app.

Start Planning

Featured Lists

Oren Rozen / CC BY-SA 3.0

Lake Wānaka Essentials

Lake Wānaka offers a mix of natural landmarks and local institutions. The region features the world-renowned 'lone tree' at the lake’s edge and the steep ascent of Roys Peak, which provides views of the Southern Alps. Visitors can explore the 1973-established Puzzling World maze or visit the biodynamic Rippon vineyard. Unique local culture is found at Cinema Paradiso, a theater known for its vintage seating and mid-movie cookies, while the nearby Lavender Farm and Lake Hawea lookout provide distinct agricultural and geological perspectives of the Otago landscape.

8 places

Faztastic / Public domain

Hiking and Viewpoints

Explore the diverse terrain of the Southern Alps through this collection of trails and viewpoints. The selection includes the famous Roys Peak track, known for its steep ascent and vistas of Mount Aspiring National Park, alongside the Mount Iron loop, which offers 360-degree views of the Wānaka basin. Hikers can also tackle the Isthmus Peak trail to see both Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea from a single ridgeline, or visit the multi-tiered Twin Falls near Glendhu Bay.

7 places

Christiane / CC-BY-SA

Camping & Caravan Sites

This selection features diverse camping options across the Wanaka and Lake Hawea regions, ranging from fully equipped holiday parks near the town center to remote Department of Conservation (DOC) sites. Facilities include sanitary dump stations at Lake Outlet and Glendu Bay, while wilderness locations like Boundary Creek and Kidds Bush provide basic shelters and latrines. For hikers, the Sawyer Burn Hut offers high-country accommodation accessible via local trails, complementing the riverside sites near the Clutha River.

10 places

Ghislain Mary / CC BY-SA 2.0

Lakeside Attractions in Wānaka

Wānaka’s landscape is defined by its glacial heritage, featuring the expansive Lake Wānaka and its neighbor, Lake Hāwea. This collection highlights diverse waterfront locations, from the sandy shores of Beacon Point to the unique Arethusa Pool, a small body of water situated on Mou Waho Island. Visitors can explore Diamond Lake, a glacial pond known for reflecting the Southern Alps, or find secluded picnic spots like Scott’s Beach. These sites offer a mix of geological interest, native birdlife, and access to established walking trails.

6 places