Wanaka is one of those places in New Zealand where you don't expect much from it, and then it turns out to be one of the prettiest places you have ever visited.
Located on the bank of the pristine Lake Wanaka, Wanaka City offers many great opportunities for us to enjoy the outdoors. From a stroll around the lake to a full-on hiking adventure to one of the prettiest viewpoints in New Zealand, Roys Peak.
Within this travel guide, you will find a list of the very best things to do in Wanaka for solo travelers, including all the information you need to have an awesome trip there. Without further ado, let's begin with a look at all the best things to do in Wanaka on a map.
Wanaka Things to Do Itinerary Map
Quick Summary
| ♥️ Must Visit: | Lake Wanaka |
|---|---|
| ♥️ Must Visit: | Lone Tree of Lake Wanaka |
| ☀️ Great Day Trip: | Roys Peak |
| 🛌 Place to Stay: | Bella Vista Motel Lake Wanaka |
8 Best Things To Do in Wanaka
1. Stroll Around Lake Wanaka
- 📍 Location: Lake Wanaka [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Pick two stops and make those your targets so the walk doesn’t turn into an all-day mission."
What makes Wanaka so stunningly beautiful is its location at the foot of Lake Wanaka, which is New Zealand's fourth-largest lake. It has some of the most beautiful water you will ever see.
The town has built a wonderful walkway along the lake where you can enjoy a nice morning stroll while watching the life around the lake come to life. On a sunny day, you will be able to see the locals come out and enjoy the sun at the lake, swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking.
The Lake Wanaka trail goes for miles and miles, and it will take hours to see them all, so I would recommend you choose 2 stopping points from left to right and stick with them.
- Wanaka Backpackers Bothy (Budget)
- Bella Vista Motel Lake Wanaka (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Wanaka Springs Lodge (High-End)
- Milford Sound Glacier Flight & Cruise from Wanaka (4 hours)
- Lake Wanaka 1-Hour Cruise Including Wine and Cheese Board (1 hour)
- Lakeland Jet Boat Adventure - Clutha River (1 hour 30 minutes)
I recommend you walk all the way to Waterfall Creek Seat and then backtrack your way back to town before continuing on to the right toward Eely Point Reserve. That should give you a good opportunity to see and appreciate the beauty of Lake Wanaka.
Where to Stay in Wanaka?
2. Find the Lone Tree of Lake Wanaka
- 📍 Location: Lone Tree of Lake Wanaka [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Be sure to snap that go in the morning if you don't want to deal with the crowds."
As you stroll along Lake Wanaka, be sure to look around for the famous Lone Tree of Lake Wanaka, one of the most photographed trees in New Zealand. It has become such a popular landmark that it attracts professional photographers from all over the world to visit Wanaka just to capture a photo of this tree.
From town, you can walk left along Lake Wanaka toward Waterfall Creek Seat, and you should see this tree standing alone in the calm clear water while the snowy mountains loom behind. Once you see it, you will know right away why it is so sought after.
3. Kayak to Ruby Island
- 📍 Location: Paddle Wanaka [Map Link]
- 💰 Rental: 85 NZD for 3 hours
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Plan for roughly 45 minutes of paddling each way, and leave yourself time to enjoy the island."
If the sun is out, I highly recommend that you rent a kayak from Paddle Wanaka for 3 hours and go paddle to Ruby Island in the middle of Lake Wanaka at your own leisure.
Paddle Wanaka currently charges 85 NZD per person for a 3-hour kayak or paddleboard rental. Ruby Island is one of the places you can explore from Roys Bay, and I would allow roughly 45 minutes of paddling each way so you still have some time to enjoy the island before heading back.
It is a fun activity to keep you active, as well as to see Wanaka and the lake from a perspective not many see. To rent the kayak, you can walk-in anytime or you can book it online with the link below:
4. Hike Up Mount Iron
- 📍 Location: Mount Iron [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "A nice little hike you can do straight from town. I did it in 2 hours the same evening I arrived in town. It's pretty straightforward."
For a nice hike to do in the afternoon, I recommend you go hike up Mount Iron and check out its viewpoint over the city. From town, it's around a 45-minute walk, and once you arrive at the top, you will be rewarded with a wonderful 360° view of Wanaka and its surroundings.
The hike is simple and quite easy to walk. You do not have to be in great shape to hike to the top of Mount Iron. The walk is perfect for anyone who is looking to make the most out of a sunny day in New Zealand.
5. Visit the Puzzling World
- 📍 Location: Puzzling World [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 9 AM - 4:30 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: 22 NZD - 32.50 NZD
Photos by Stuart Landsborough
Located not too far from Mount Iron, you will also find a popular tourist attraction in Wanaka called Puzzling World. It is a sort-of amusement park featuring a multi-level outdoor maze, optical illusion rooms, and a ton of photo opportunities.
There are two main attractions at Puzzling World: the Great Maze and the Illusion Rooms. Adult admission currently costs 22 NZD for the Great Maze, 26.50 NZD for the Illusion Rooms, or 32.50 NZD for the combo ticket. In my opinion, the combo is the better deal if you want the full experience.
Puzzling World opens at 9 AM, with last admission at 4:30 PM, and it is closed on Christmas Day. I recommend doing this before hiking Mount Iron. Mount Iron is especially nice later in the day, and by the time you get back down, Puzzling World may already be closed. For more information, visit their official website, or you can get the ticket online here:
6. Drop by the Lavender Farm
- 📍 Location: Lavender Farm [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: 8 - 18 NZD for adults, depending on season
If you are looking for a nice place to visit in Wanaka for some photo opportunities, the Wanaka Lavender Farm located just outside of Wanaka Town is worth dropping by after you have visited Puzzling World.
At Wanaka Lavender Farm, you will find large lavender fields covering over 20 acres of space, where you can stroll around. Additionally, there are farm animals and display gardens. There is also a cafe where you can enjoy their herbal tea and indulge yourself in their lavender ice creams.
Wanaka Lavender Farm is open from 9 AM to 5 PM from September to May and 10 AM to 5 PM from June to August. Adult admission currently costs 18 NZD from December to February, 10 NZD from March to April, 8 NZD from May to September, and 10 NZD from October to November.
7. Hike Roy's Peak
- 📍 Location: Roys Peak [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: Free
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "If you are looking for one of the most photogenic hikes you can do, this is it, and it can be done in a day from Wanaka!"
One of the best viewpoints in New Zealand, often featured in magazines and postcards about New Zealand, is at the top of Roys Peak where you will be able to see an incredible panoramic view of Lake Wanaka and the rolling snowy mountains behind it.
Roys Peak hike begins at the Roys Peak car park just west of Wanaka. The track itself is free. Shuttle and taxi services can take you between Wanaka and the trailhead, so check the current transport options with the Wānaka i-SITE or local providers before your hike.
You can also hitchhike from Wanaka since it isn't that far, and you will find many cars heading that way that are willing to pick you up. It is free, and it is a good way to talk to the locals here.
The hike to Roys Peak takes around 2 hours to reach the top. Once you arrive at the top, you will likely see a line of people waiting to capture that epic Instagram shot of themselves with the lake and the snowy mountains.
It is truly one of the most popular photo spots in New Zealand, and you will have to be extra patient to get that Instagram shot. Once you are done with the photo, don't forget to walk a little further to actually reach the real summit.
It should take about an hour to get down from Roys Peak. For your return to Wanaka, arrange a shuttle or taxi in advance rather than relying on an old fixed timetable. Also keep in mind that Roys Peak Track is closed every year from 1 October to 10 November for lambing.
8. Go Skydiving in Wanaka
- 📍 Location: skydive in Wanaka [Map Link]
- 💰 Prices: 379 - 575 NZD
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Wanaka is also a great place to go skydiving! Just leave some buffer days as they often get canceled due to poor weather."
Photo of my skydiving in Queenstown
If you are looking for something more adventurous, something more epic, something that will allow you to experience New Zealand in a way that can only be done here, you should definitely skydive.
Wanaka has all the components for a great skydive, with stunning Lake Wanaka and the mountains surrounding it. Skydive Wanaka currently charges 379 NZD for 9,000 ft, 469 NZD for 12,000 ft, and 575 NZD for 15,000 ft, giving you up to 25, 45, or 60 seconds of freefall respectively.
With Wanaka Skydive, you can choose how high up you want to be, ranging from 9000 ft to 15000 ft. This choice will determine the duration of your freefall. There is no better way to commemorate your New Zealand travel experience than with a photo of you skydiving, which can be taken as a souvenir to bring back home. You can book the tandem skydive tour using the link below:
Book a Tour to Skydive in Wanaka
When to Visit Wanaka?
The best time to visit Wanaka is during the shoulder seasons between September to November and March to May, where there will be considerably fewer travelers during this time. Additionally, most accommodation will offer discounted prices, making your trip way more cost-effective than the peak season (November to March).
How to Get to Wanaka?
Wanaka is located approximately 68 km north of Queenstown, the major travel hub of the South Island of New Zealand, and you will have to make your way there before you can travel to Wanaka.
From the US, Auckland has nonstop flights from several US cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Houston, and New York. From Auckland, you can connect onward to Queenstown before continuing overland to Wanaka.
From Europe, there are no nonstop flights to New Zealand, so you will need to connect through a major hub in Asia, the Middle East, North America, or Australia depending on the airline and route.
From Asia, Auckland has direct connections with several major Asian hubs, while Christchurch and Queenstown have a smaller selection of international services. Route availability changes seasonally, so compare the connection that works best for your dates.
To find a cheap flight to New Zealand, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
Getting from Auckland to Wanaka
By Air and Bus: Queenstown is the closest major airport to Wanaka. Air New Zealand and Jetstar operate the Auckland to Queenstown route, with a flight time of around 2 hours. Airfares vary considerably by date, so compare fares for your travel dates. You can search for flights here.
Once you arrive in Queenstown, you can take the bus to Wanaka following the instructions provided under the "Getting from Queenstown to Wanaka" section.
Getting from Christchurch to Wanaka
By Air and Bus: From Christchurch, you can fly to Queenstown and continue to Wanaka by bus or shuttle. Air New Zealand operates the Christchurch to Queenstown route, with a flight time of around 1 hour. Flight frequency and fares vary by date, so check the current schedule when planning your trip. You can search for your flight from Christchurch to Queenstown here.
Getting from Queenstown to Wanaka
By Bus: If you want to travel from Queenstown to Wanaka, InterCity currently operates a daily service, run by GreatSights, from Athol Street in Queenstown to the Log Cabin on the Lakefront at 100 Ardmore Street in Wanaka.
The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. When I traveled this route, I paid 33 NZD per person. Fares can change depending on your travel date, so check the current price when booking. You can book the bus to Wanaka here.
If you are planning to travel for a longer period in New Zealand via buses, I recommend that you get the Flexipass where you can buy hours and travel any route in the country depending on the bus's duration. It is a great way to hop around the country without having to pay a ton of money.
For more information about Flexipass, please visit the official Intercity Flexipass page here.
By Car: If you are looking for a more flexible way to travel to Wanaka, you can also rent a car from Queenstown Airport and drive there in around 1 hour. Rental prices vary significantly by season and vehicle type. To compare current rates, use the link below:
How to Get Around Wanaka?
By Foot: Most of the attractions in Wanaka are concentrated around Lake Wanaka, so everything should be reachable on foot.
By Car: If you have your own car, you can significantly shorten your travel time and visit more places in one day. That being said, you won't need a car to follow the list of recommended things to do that I provided here. You can rent a car with the link below.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Wanaka?
2 days is a good amount of time to spend in Wanaka. Here is what your days will look like in Wanaka:
Day 1: Spend the entire day hiking Roy's Peak.
Day 2: Spend the morning walking along Lake Wanaka, visit the lone tree, kayak to Ruby Island, visit the Lavender Farm, Puzzling World, and hike Mt. Iron.
How Much Does It Cost To Travel to Wanaka?
Since we will be spending only 3 nights in Wanaka, we can calculate how much you will be spending in Wanaka for 2 days as follows:
Accommodation: For 3 nights in Wanaka, you will be spending around 60 USD on accommodation.
Food: An average meal in Wanaka is around 10 USD, and since you will have to cook your own lunch when you hike Roys Peak, you can expect to spend around 50 USD on food.
Transportation: You will have to pay for a roundtrip shuttle to Roy's Peak, which will cost you around 30 NZD, equivalent to approximately 22 USD.
Activities: Roys Peak and the lakefront walks are free. Current paid activities in this itinerary include Puzzling World at 32.50 NZD for an adult combo ticket, Paddle Wanaka at 85 NZD for a 3-hour rental, and Wanaka Lavender Farm at 8 to 18 NZD depending on the season. Skydiving starts at 379 NZD if you decide to add it.
Total Budget for 2 days in Wanaka: Around 360 NZD (205 USD), excluding skydiving.
Which tourist SIM card is best for New Zealand?
For a more reliable internet connection while traveling around New Zealand, I recommend getting a local SIM or eSIM rather than relying entirely on public Wi-Fi.
Spark is one of the main mobile networks in New Zealand and offers prepaid travel SIMs and eSIMs for visitors. Its current visitor options start from 15 NZD for data-only plans, while travel packs with data, calls, and texts start from 29 NZD.
You can pick up a physical Spark SIM after arriving or set up an eSIM on a compatible phone. Coverage can still be limited in remote mountain areas, so download offline maps before heading out on longer hikes.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
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