Lake Wanaka waterfront

Wanaka, New Zealand

Where visitors walk or cycle around the lake, central to the town's peaceful lakeside moments.

Explore Wanaka

Wanaka — TL;DR

Queenstown's relaxed neighbour, where Rippon vineyard's daily wine tastings overlook Lake Wanaka's still, mountain-ringed water.

Wanaka overview

Where to eat, drink & do in Wanaka

Wanaka neighborhoods

Practical info for Wanaka

Practical notes for Wanaka

Best time to visit
October to April offers warm weather for hiking and lake activities, while June to October is best for skiing.
Getting around
Wanaka town centre clusters the restaurants, bars, and hostels around the lakefront, with Rippon vineyard and the Rob Roy Glacier trailhead a short drive from town.
Currency
New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Language
English and te reo Māori.
Timezone
NZST (UTC+12, UTC+13 in summer)
Current trends
Wanaka's hospitality scene continues to trade on its relaxed, less-touristy identity relative to Queenstown, with Adventure Wanaka Hostel's social communal areas and free bikes and Rippon vineyard's daily wine tastings reflecting a destination that balances adrenaline adventure with genuine lakeside relaxation.

Other neighborhoods in Wanaka

Read the full Wanaka guide