3 Days in Wānaka: The Perfect Itinerary

With iconic hikes like Roys Peak and Mount Iron, a bunch of fun water activities on Lake Wanaka, and tons of other unique attractions, Wānaka is home to some of the best outdoor adventures in all of New Zealand!

Since Wānaka is such an outdoor haven – and since it’s a destination that all travellers seem to love – we’ve put together the ultimate itinerary for your first visit to this amazing little mountain town full of beautiful scenery, epic hikes, and some of the can’t-miss-activities nearby (#ThatWanakaTree).

This itinerary is meant for 3 days because there is so much to do in Wanaka that a day trip from Queenstown to Wanaka simply isn’t enough! Most people we’ve talked to say they wish they’d had more time in Wānaka, so make sure you plan to have at least a few days here!

No matter how many days you decide to spend exploring Wanaka you can use this itinerary for inspiration for planning your trip on the south island.

From epic outdoor hikes to delicious pie restaurants and some of the best coffee in New Zealand, this 3-day itinerary has everything you need to enjoy your time in one of our favourite places in New Zealand!

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For a long time, it feels like Wanaka was one of those up-and-coming places to visit in New Zealand but now it’s very well-known and a popular place to stop by while exploring the south island. But even though it’s become quite popular there are still a lot of off-the-beaten-path activities and lesser-visited places that maybe you wouldn’t have found without this guide.

In this itinerary, you will find some of the must-do experiences like hiking Roy’s Peak at sunrise and seeing the iconic Wānaka Tree, along with some more local activities – like the best coffee shops to visit and unique tours, such as a visit to Mou Waho Island!

We’ve also included a brief section on where to stay, how to get to Wānaka, and anything else that’s good to know before your visit!

How to get to Wānaka

The most common way people go to Wānaka is from Queenstown. However, you can also get to Queenstown from the West Coast, Mt Cook, or Christchurch. Regardless of where you’re coming from, the easiest way to get there is by car.

During our most recent visit, we picked up a rental car from Queenstown Airport since that’s where we flew into from the North Island – and Queenstown Airport is often where you can find the best rates for rental cars as well (for reference, we paid $50 NZD per day including full insurance during peak season).

We always book our rental cars through DiscoverCars. DiscoverCars is a search engine site for car rentals that shows you pretty much all car rental suppliers in the area. We’ve used them over 10 times in over 5 different countries and they’ve always been very reliable.

Where to stay in Wanaka

Since we were in Wānaka for an extended period of time, we decided to stay more locally in a neighbourhood right next to Mount Iron in a little studio apartment. It was exactly what we needed at the time and even though it was a few kilometres from the town centre, everything feels close in Wanaka.

If you have a car, it doesn’t matter too much which area you decide to stay in as you’ll never be more than a 15-minute drive from the town.

But if you don’t have a car, you should consider staying more centrally. This is also where you’ll find the best accommodation options for short-term stays, so for that reason, we do recommend you stay more centrally (specific recommendations below).

Another tip we’ll give you is that the sooner you book, the better options you have – both in terms of available places of accommodation but also in terms of pricing. Especially if you’re travelling during peak season (January and February being the busiest time), you should consider booking at least a few months out.

Regardless of where you stay, we’re sure you’ll have a blast in Wanaka as you get to explore this fun little mountain town. We have a full blog post on the best hotels in Wanaka right here and also 3 budget friendly hostels in town, but if you just want a quick breakdown with our best recommendations, check these out…

Day 1: Enjoy Wanaka the local way

The first day in this 3-day Wanaka itinerary is all about settling in town and checking out a few local places that we love!

Start by checking into your place of accommodation (check this post for specific recommendations) before you set off for an afternoon with fun activities like visiting a stunning lavender farm and going on a small hike with a great view of the town.

Stop by Wānaka Lavender Farm

The Wanaka Lavender Farm is a beautiful local farm right on the outskirts of town that has transformed a farm into a beautiful attraction with (you guessed it) all things lavender – and manuka honey!

At the farm, you’ll find a little shop that sells all sorts of items with lavender from face cream to essential oils to tea towels. The shop is also connected to a little café which sells ‘lavender treats’ and really good ice cream.

You can also buy a ticket which gives you access to walk around the entire property. In total, there are 20 acres of farmland where you can walk around and enjoy all the different activities at the lavender farm. The ticket price varies depending on the time of year you come but usually varies between $7-15 NZD. You can see the pricing here.

It’s a great little local place to explore and quite unique as it’s not something you can do all over New Zealand! If you want to spend a bit of time outdoors and around the smell of lavender it’s perfect! 

The reason why we added this activity as the first one during your visit to Wānaka is because they’re only open until 5 pm (open every day except for Christmas Day) – so it’s great to go here first.

It’s only a 5-minute drive out of town and on the way back to town, you will drive past the next activity on this itinerary…

Hike up Mount Iron in Wanaka

If you’re going for the perfect Instagram pictures on this trip, you might want to bring a change of clothes in the car, because you’ll need an outfit you can get your sweat on for this one!

This is the perfect “hike” to do on your first day in Wanaka because Mount Iron is literally in Wanaka and offers an epic view of the city. It’s not that hard or long of a hike either so it can easily be done in a few hours. Perfect after the lavender farm and as a little afternoon adventure to build up some appetite before dinner.

We’ve done Mount Iron Track quite a few times and it can easily be done in a few hours so it’s a great little loop trail to do before dinner. We have a full guide on the Mount Iron Track here where you can see the views and read what you can expect on the hike (and what’s good to bring).

We’ve also done it late at night one time and that was quite an experience hiking in the dark but we definitely recommend going in the afternoon or for sunset. 

All in all, this hike gives you a good taste of Wanaka and what this area is all about. So put on your boots and get ready to take in the awesome view of Lake Wanaka and the town from the top of Mount Iron.

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Grab some dinner at the food trucks 

The Food Trucks was one of our favourite places to eat in Wanaka! We loved sitting outside and taking in the views while having a casual meal. It’s also a great place to go if you’re with a group of friends and can’t decide what you want to eat as there are 5-6 different food trucks to pick from.

Our go-to here was the chicken burrito from Burrito Craft. It was SO good and we loved how you can select your preferred spice level from ‘Mild – Level 1’ to ‘Face Melter – Level 10’. Some of the other food trucks we liked were Curbside Coffee & Bagels as well as The Food Truck + Bar at The Camp (which has great wood-fired pizza).

Another nice thing is that the Wanaka Food Trucks is right downtown only a few minutes’ walk from the lakefront – and there’s parking nearby in case you need it. The Food Truck area is open from noon until 9 PM every day but not every food truck is open every day. Just something to keep in mind!

Late night movie at Cinema Paradiso

You might be tired after this full day of activities from arriving in Wanaka to visiting the lavender farm and hiking – but if you aren’t ready to go to bed yet, you have to stop by Cinema Paradiso!

This is probably a better spring or fall activity when the weather isn’t as great and you want to do something indoors but can you ever really go wrong with visiting a movie theatre?

This local movie theater in Wanaka is not just an ordinary theatre though! Visiting Cinema Paradiso is an experience on its own as it’s way more old school than the movie theatres we’re used to today.

You probably won’t believe it when we tell you that when we went in January 2024 we still had to give them a phone call to reserve our tickets. But they’ve recently updated their website so now you can book and pay for your tickets online instead.

There are 3 screens in the movie theatre so it’s rather small – and each room is unique with comfy sofas and even an old-school car you can sit in. There are also lots of old movie posters on all of the walls within the building.

The coolest thing about the whole experience, though, is that you can pre-order a freshly baked cookie before the movie starts, and halfway through the film, they’ll have an intermission for about 5-10 minutes where you’ll be able to go grab your cookie!

If you get a chance and there’s a good movie playing then definitely consider going to the theater. It’s definitely not the main reason people travel to Wānaka but now that you’re here, it’s a pretty cool and unique thing to do!

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Day 2: Outdoor adventure day hiking mountains 

This day is all about enjoying the outdoors – and making sure you’re fueled up both before and after your adventures! Our suggested itinerary for day 2 involves having a morning coffee at one of the best cafés in Wānaka, followed by an epic full-day hike. Finish the day off with a craft beer and a filling meal at one of the locals’ favourite eateries.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a bit more of a bucket list experience and don’t mind big crowds, you can switch up the itinerary for day 2 and hike up Roy’s Peak for sunrise followed by a visit to the coffee shop after.

We personally prefer the outlined itinerary below but you can obviously choose whichever option is best for you!

Morning coffee or breakfast at Scroggin Coffee and Eatery

There are quite a few great cafes in Wanaka but Scroggin has to be our all-round favourite when it comes to food, coffee, and vibe! The interior is so cute and their cappuccino is one of the best we’ve had in NZ (I mean, look at that chocolate on top!).

It’s a really cozy spot near the lake and they have both indoor and outdoor seating, so in the warmer months you can pick where you want to sit!

Everything from the coffee to the food they serve is absolutely delicious and it’s probably safe to say that we ended up at Scroggin on a daily basis!

Also read: 7 Best Cafes in Wanaka You Need to Try

Explore and hike up Isthmus Peak

Isthmus Peak is hands-down one of the coolest hikes you can do in the Wanaka area. At least it’s our favourite big hike in the area, and that’s why we recommend it over Roy’s Peak (you can read our comparison guide between Isthmus Peak and Roys Peak here).

This hike takes 6-7 hours to complete and it starts about 30 minutes from Wanaka. Our suggestion is that you start an hour or two after breakfast so you give yourself plenty of time and daylight to complete it.

This is a proper challenging hike but don’t let that scare you. It’s absolutely worth it because of the views you get. And even though we say it’s hard, it is not technical or dangerous. It’s just a lot of uphill! One of the highlights of this track is that you get a nice view of Lake Hawea the whole way up as you’re zig-zagging up the mountain.

Then, once you reach the ridge, you also start to get a view of Lake Wanaka – and the whole time you’ll likely only pass by a handful of people because Isthmus Peak is a lot less known than Roy’s Peak!

As we said, it’s one of the best hikes in Wanaka, especially if you’re only in town for a few days and looking to do a proper big hike! Once you’re done the hike, you’re only about 30 minutes from being back in Wanaka where, maybe, it’s time to enjoy a nice burger and beer after the long day hike!

We have a full guide on Isthmus Peak here where we cover everything you need to know about the hike – including how to get there, what to bring, and how to prepare for this hike.

Don’t feel like hiking?
What about a wine tasting tour that takes you to local wineries while learning about the Māori culture?

Grab some dinner at Kai Whakapai Eatery and Craft Beer Bar

I think it’s only fitting that after a big hike, you deserve to go sit somewhere nice and enjoy a fresh craft beer and a delicious pub meal. If that’s not what you’re up for there are plenty of good restaurants in Wanaka but we do love Kai Whakapai (as do the locals).

Kai Whakapai is located on the lakefront and it has both indoor and outdoor seating. It does tend to get quite busy because of its location and delicious food and craft beer but the turnaround is usually quick enough so hopefully you don’t have to wait too long for a table.

The burger and craft beer combo is unmatchable – especially after hiking up a steep mountain. With sore legs and being mentally tired, we can’t think of a much better feeling than sitting on the lakefront with a nice cold beer and a delicious meal!

After dinner, you can always walk around and stop by some of the other bars or cafes (like the Wanaka Brew Bar or Speight’s Ale House) for another drink if you’re not ready to go home!

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Day 3: Coffee, Island Excursion, and #ThatWanakaTree

On this last full day in Wanaka, we want to take you on a unique excursion to an island in Lake Wanaka! On the schedule for this 3rd day, you’ll also stop by one of the most famous trees in the world #ThatWanakaTree. And, of course, the itinerary wouldn’t be complete without some good coffee and food!

Stop by Kamino Coffee Shop and Eatery

When visiting Wanaka, it’s almost mandatory to try out all the cafes and coffee shops because, for a small town, there are a ton of good ones. Right in town you’ll find Kamino which is a new and modern coffee shop that serves awesome coffee!

This is one of the few places that isn’t located on the lakefront and actually down one of the alleyways – but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a view of the lake. If the weather is good, hop upstairs to their roof top and enjoy the views of the town and the lake!

Grab a pie at The Doughbin Bakery

Here’s another food place you can’t miss in Wanaka! As you may know, New Zealand is famous for its pie – and the Doughbin Bakery has won multiple awards for their pies! Needless to say, we’ve been there more than just once 😉

It’s definitely a must-stop while you’re in town and it’s a great way to get fueled up before heading out on your big adventure for today! And, conveniently enough, Doughbin is located right between Kamino Coffee Shop and the next activity…

👩🏼‍⚕️ Is your trip insured?
SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance covers hiking and mountaineering up to 4500 meters 🏔️

Visit Mou Waho Island on Lake Wanaka

Saving the best for last! Visiting Mou Waho Island was one of the highlights of our recent trip to Wānaka. Out of everything we’ve recommended on this itinerary this is probably the most unique experience you can do in Wanaka. 

This was the exact Mou Waho trip we did and it was so much fun. It was really nice being out on the lake, admiring the beautiful mountain views, and learning a bit about the history of this part of New Zealand. The boat driver had some pretty fun stories about what life was like in Wanaka back in the day – we won’t spoil them for you, but wait till you hear about the parties…

After about 45 minutes, the boat will drop you off at this little island in the middle of Lake Wanaka: Mou Waho Island. Depending on which tour you end up booking (this is the one we recommend), you’ll have around 1.5 hours to explore the island.

There’s a short trail that takes you up to a lake on the island – so you’ll be by the lake on an island, in a lake on an island! If you look at the picture above, you can actually see the lake on Mou Waho at the bottom and then the lighter water is Lake Wanaka!

It’s such a cool little trip to do and the perfect activity to do on your last day in Wanaka! And the cool thing is, you’ll almost have the place to yourself because the only way to get to this island is by taking a boat taxi – so the only people on the island will be the people who go here by boat.

Snap a photo of the Wanaka Tree

What’s a trip to Wanaka without stopping by the Wanaka Tree, right? Snapping a photo of #ThatWanakaTree is probably one of the most iconic photos you can take in Wanaka besides maybe from the Roy’s Peak Viewpoint.

You can easily walk to the Wanaka Tree in 20 minutes or so and the walk is flat and beautiful as you walk along the lake. If you prefer to drive, there is free parking nearby.

One last bite at Big Fig Wanaka

Once you’ve taken in the views of the lake and you’ve got your iconic photo, we recommend stopping by Big Fig! It’s a great local cafe located on the lakefront that serves healthy and delicious food. Their slogan is ‘slow food, served fast’. You’ll get good quality food but you don’t have to wait long to get it.

They have a cool concept where you pay per plate size and they have a variety of different dishes and you can pick and choose between them. They also make really good cakes and serve good coffee, so it’s a really nice way to round up your time in Wanaka.

📍 Want to know about all the best spots in Aotearoa New Zealand?
Then check out our New Zealand Maps with +200 locations around the country that we have visited during our 8 months of living and travelling in NZ! 🗺️

Why we use GetYourGuide for guided tours

When we go explore new places, we always try to do at least one guided tour. We think this is a great way to learn more about the area from a local’s perspective – and it’s nice not having to plan every single detail of the adventure we go on!

You may also like…

• Wānaka Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
• 3 Budget Friendly Hostels in Wanaka, New Zealand
• Skip Roys Peak, Hike This Track Instead
• 5 Stunning Hikes in Wānaka You’re Going to Love
• How to Get From Queenstown to Wānaka

Recap of 3 days in Wanaka itinerary

We hope you found this Wanaka itinerary helpful. We know this is a relatively packed itinerary but you can easily make some free time if you want between the things we recommend!

Although we do think this is a pretty good way to explore Wanaka, you can take as much or as little from this itinerary as you want. At the end of the day, this is meant for inspiration and, hopefully, it gives you an idea of what there is to do here in and around Wanaka.

We absolutely love it here and hope you get a chance to experience some of these fun activities, hikes, and adventures around town.

Wanaka is an epic little town on the South Island and we’ve fallen in love with this place multiple times over and over so we truly hope you have the best time here. Personally, we can’t wait to go back for another visit!

Please let us know if you have any questions or anything related to New Zealand. You can reach out to us on Instagram or leave a comment below. We’re more than happy to help and answer any questions. Have the best time in New Zealand!

📍 Want to know about all the best spots in Aotearoa New Zealand?
Then check out our New Zealand Maps with +200 locations around the country that we have visited during our 8 months of living and travelling in NZ! 🗺️