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Trip Planner: South Pacific / New Zealand / South Island / Otago Region / Wanaka / Nature / Lake Wanaka

Lake Wanaka, Wanaka

4.9

#1 of 78 in Things to do in Wanaka

Water Body Nature / Park

A haven for outdoor activities and popular amongst bikers, swimmers, and hikers, Lake Wanaka offers a wide array of opportunities to get out and enjoy the region's wild nature. The lake checks in among one of the country's largest bodies of water, stretching 45 km (28 mi) between its farthest points. A long network of foot and bike paths in the vicinity provides ample opportunity to explore the area's hills, mountains, and forests. Certain paths can even give you a panoramic view of the lake and its surroundings. Alternatively, hop aboard a kayak or boat to take in the natural landscape from the water. Work out when and for how long to visit Lake Wanaka and other Wanaka attractions using our handy Wanaka tour planner.

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Related Tours to Book

Mount Cook to Wanaka Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $157

Half-Day Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk from Wanaka BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $180

Half-Day Kayak Tour on Lake Wanaka BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $101

Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

1,337 reviews

vicki_kilroy

Lake Wanaka is breathtaking, one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. It took my breath away. We visited early June, winter in New Zealand. The mountains were capped with snow and mirrored t... more »
jnbGeorgia

When in Wanaka, plan to take a kayak out to Ruby Island! This experience was just delightful kayaking through deep blue water surrounded by snow-covered mountains--just the best! more »
Black0ut1983

I have seen many lakes all my life. I've seen some pretty nice ones and awful ones. There are some which you can take a bath while there were others where you weren't sure of a mutant fish would come ... more »

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Best things to do in Wanaka

Popular

Visit for: 1h 30min

Horseback Riding Tours

Visit for: 3h 30min

Side Trips

The Remarkables Ski Area

Hollyford Track

Fiordland National Park

Hidden Gems

Mount Aspiring National Park

Visit for: 30min

Visit for: 2h 30min

Tours

Helicopter Tours

Visit for: 1h 30min

ATV & Off-Road Tours

Adrenaline & Extreme Tours

Nearby

Wanaka Helicopters

Winter Sports

Alpinism & Ski Wanaka

Featured attractions

Adrenaline & Extreme Tours

Visit for: 2h 30min

Spas & Wellness

Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Where to stay in Wanaka

As a popular ski and resort town, Wanaka offers an abundance of accommodation options. Views of the lake can be requested at the many boutique and luxury hotels, while travelers aiming to get straight up into the mountains may want to try one of the multitude of more affordable resorts and campsites. Good connections take visitors up the slopes and down again to their bed for the night. For those traveling into the town by car, motels are dotted along the main roads, offering good access to Wanaka itself and the surrounding scenery.

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Plans in Wanaka by other users

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