Wānaka is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand and a must-visit on your travels to the South Island! With an abundance of things to do and some of the best hikes in the country, this small mountain town in the Otago Region is one of our favourite places in the entire country!
After spending 8 months in New Zealand, we’ve put together this full travel guide to Wanaka where we share everything you need to know for your visit.
We’ve included everything from the best coffee & pie (and these are GOOD) to the best excursions and hikes, as well as the best places to stay with options for all budgets + some extra things that are good to know before you visit Wānaka!
We’ve been to Wānaka multiple times and during our most recent trip here, we fell in love with this place all over again! It’s one of the reasons why we’ve been writing so many guides about Wanaka (including this post) because we want you to have a chance to experience Wānaka through our rose-coloured glasses.
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Full travel guide to Wanaka
In this post, we’ll cover everything from how to get to Wanaka to which of the cute cafes in town you need to visit after conquering some of our favourite hikes in the area!
We’ll go into detail about what you need to know and how to best prepare for your trip while offering additional resources for further research and planning. We also cover the best places to stay and share a few personal stories and fun memories from our visit to Wānaka. Let’s dive in!
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Getting to Wanaka
Wanaka is located about 1 hour from Queenstown which is where the nearest international airport is located. Wanaka does have a small domestic airport but only one airline operates out of there 12 times a week. Other than that, it’s all scenic flights running from Wanaka Airport.
So if you’re planning to fly into the South Island then Queenstown is your best option. From Queenstown, you have many options like renting a car, taking a bus or shuttle, and even private transfers. You can read more about the different options to get from Queenstown to Wanaka here.
After spending 8 months in New Zealand exploring both the South and North Islands, we’d say the best thing you can do is either rent a car or a campervan.
This will give you the freedom to go off the beaten path and explore some of the less touristy places and not only the iconic stops! The drive to Wanaka from Queenstown (or Christchurch) is beautiful and having your own vehicle is the way to do it.
Saying all this, if you either don’t like to drive or can’t drive, it is still easy to get around New Zealand without a vehicle. There’s tons of busses and shuttle services that will get you to the places you want to go.
Once you’re in Wanaka, if you want to do some of the hikes and activities there’s a good chance the hostels, lodges, or wherever you’re staying will have group trips where transport will be supplied by the place you’re staying at!
Top hikes and outdoor activities in Wanaka
This is the main reason why people come to Wānaka: The outdoors! As you probably already get by now, Wānaka has the most incredible mountains and beautiful scenery – and there are so many fun outdoorsy things to do here, both soft adventures and hard adventures.
It’s not the official adventure capital of New Zealand (fun fact: Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world) but it does have some pretty cool nature that offers awesome hikes and water activities that you can do on Lake Wanaka and Hawea.
Hikes in Wanaka
Isthmus Peak
Isthmus Peak is hands down one of our favourite hikes near Wanaka. It’s challenging, exhausting, and quite long but it offers one of the most incredible views overlooking both Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka.
This hike is a full-day hike and took us almost 7 hours to complete, but if you’re in good shape and are up for a challenge, we highly recommend this trek! You can read all about Isthmus Peak here.
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Roys Peak
Chances are that if you’ve done any other research on Wanaka, you’ve heard of Roys Peak! It’s the single most popular hike in Wanaka – and for good reason. The view from the viewpoint overlooking Lake Wānaka and the mountains is incredible.
However, it also gets very busy! Hundreds of people hike Roys Peak every day in the summer, people go for sunrise and sunset, and it’s pretty much always busy. We have quite a controversial post about why we prefer Isthmus Peak over Roys Peak here!
Honestly, there’s a reason why Roys Peak is so popular and it’s because it’s a great hike and the viewpoint is quite iconic. We do feel like Roys Peak is overrun and busy but if you can try and time it when it’s not too crazy (if you visit during shoulder season for example) it is an awesome hike to conquer in Wanaka.
Mount Iron Track
Mount Iron Track is a local gem and a perfect 1.5 – 2 hour activity within walking distance from town. From the town centre, it’s just over 1 km to the Mount Iron Trailhead (or 1.8 km from the Lakefront) and you can easily walk there. Alternatively, there is a bigger parking lot at the trailhead too.
If you’re craving an easy hike in town, we definitely recommend the Mount Iron Track. If you don’t want to leave Wanaka and are just looking to get out and about for a little walk to explore, this is the trek to do.
Also read: The Best View of Wanaka – Mount Iron Track
Lake Wanaka activities
Happy hour cruise
On this relaxing boat ride on Lake Wanaka, you’ll get to enjoy the calm lake and take in the beautiful views of the peaks from below. You’ll get a chance to chat with the other guests, enjoy some wine (or beer) and snacks – and of course, enjoy the awesome views that surround you. Check out the tour here.
Mou Waho Island
Mou Waho Island is a stunning little island located within Lake Wanaka which you can get to by water taxi. This island tour includes a water taxi to and from Wanaka where the boatsman (or woman) will tell you all about the geology and history of the lake and island as well as some good stories from the past!
Once you get to Mou Waho, you’ll be able to explore this unique island and hike up to a lake at the top of the island. So, technically, you’re going to a lake on an island in a lake on an island! So cool!
We explored Mou Waho and hiked around the island for a few hours and almost went for a swim in the lake as well. However, as it was quite windy, we decided to skip it but make sure to bring your swimsuit if you go!
For more information about this tour, you can read about our Mou Waho experience here.
Kayaking and canoeing
One of the reasons why Lake Wanaka is so stunning is because of how calm the lake is on most days. And what’s a better way to explore a lake than going on a SUP or kayaking? Personally, we think this is one of the best outdoor activities you can do in Wanaka!
There are a few great companies like Paddle Wanaka and Lakeland Wanaka that offer tours and rentals where you can go and enjoy the Lake! And if you’re looking for a bit more adrenaline, you can also consider this full-day pack rafting trip!
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Adventure activities
Tandem Skydive
I know we said Wanaka isn’t the adventure capital but that doesn’t mean you can’t find any adrenaline-rushed activities! Skydive from 9000, 12000, or 15000 ft and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience near Wanaka.
Jo went skydiving a few years ago in Australia and it’s an experience she’ll never expect! If we ever go again, Wanaka would be the place we’d do it.
The views you’ll get from above are absolutely unreal with views over six lakes, the rugged Southern Alp, and Mount Cook (!) which makes this the ideal place to sky-dive in New Zealand! Check out this tour for all the details (the price starts at $289 NZD which is pretty good).
Jet Boat on Clutha River
The jet boat on the Clutha River is a proper adrenaline activity you can do near Wanaka. The boat gets up to a speed of 80 kilometres per hour through rapids, over sand bars, and around rocks!
It’s a relatively short 1 hour activity but in this one hour, you will experience enough adrenaline for the day. The activity takes place on the stunning Clutha River and gives you another beautiful view of the New Zealand landscape! Check out their availability here.
Waterfall cable climb (via ferrata)
On this guided tour, you’ll get the chance to climb 320 meters up a cascading waterfall where you’ll take in some absolutely epic mountain views.
A fun fact about this waterfall cable climb is that it’s actually the tallest one in the world of its kind which is pretty crazy. Maybe Wanaka is the adventure capital of New Zealand after all!
If you’re an adrenaline junky, this is one activity in Wanaka you don’t want to miss. It’s a pretty special and unique activity and the whole setup of this from the landscape to the adventure is just perfect.
Accommodations and where to stay in Wanaka
Wanaka is a smaller town and isn’t home to many bougie hotel chains and 5 star resorts but what it does have instead is a whole variety of different unique and family-run accommodations.
From backpacker hostels to lodges to smaller more standard hotels, you can find all sorts of accommodation in Wanaka. There are also plenty of campgrounds if you’re driving around the country with a campervan. Below we’ve put together a list of our favourite options!
Hotels, motels, and lodges in Wanaka
Altamont Lodge Wanaka
This unique lodge in Wanaka has great facilities and a beautiful outdoor area where you can enjoy the panoramic views of Wanaka.
Prices at Altamont Lodge start at $150+ NZD per night depending on what time of year you plan to visit New Zealand!
Club Wyndham Wanaka
Club Wyndham in Wānaka has an amazing seasonal pool with a waterslide. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the peaceful town of Wanaka any time of year – but especially in the summer!
This is one of the fanciest hotels in Wanaka and that’s why prices start at $250+ NZD a night but it is worth it if you’re looking for something nice! Check out their prices and availability here.
Archway Motels and Chalets Wanaka
Archway Motels and Chalets is a beautiful, secluded accommodation on 2 acres of land only 250 meters away from Lake Wanaka.
This is another very unique accommodation in Wanaka and prices start around $240+ NZD a night for this magical stay.
Also read: 6 of the Best Hotels in Wānaka (New Zealand)
Hostels in Wanaka
Adventure Wanaka Hostel
Adventure Wanaka is meant for backpackers and travellers who are looking for like-minded people and with 7 days a week of in-house activities there’s plenty of fun things to do at the hostel with the other guests!
Prices are quite affordable for Wanaka and on average you’ll pay about $50 NZD per night here. There are long term stay discounts and also cheaper during shoulder and quiet season!
YHA Wanaka Hostel
YHA Wānaka aka the Haka House Hostel has a great balance of comfort and practicality with an awesome community that makes it the perfect stay for young backpackers in Wanaka.
The price for this hostel is roughly $70+ NZD a night but it ranges depending on whether you go during quiet or peak season!
Mountain View Backpackers Hostel Wanaka
This small and cozy hostel was once a 1930s home and has now been converted into a quaint hostel in Wanaka. It’s located less than a kilometre from the town centre and has a whopping 9.1 rating on Hostelworld!
It’s a great cozy place to stay where you’ll be surrounded by other backpackers and prices are around $50 NZD per night! Check out their availability here.
Camping and holiday parks in Wanaka
Hampshire Holiday Park Wanaka
The Hampshire Holiday Park in Wanaka is located within walking distance from the lake and has everything you need – from wifi to showers and facilities where you can hang out and relax. You can also do your laundry or use the cooking facilities.
If you have your own campervan or are looking to rent one of the cabins you can do that. Prices vary depending on what you book and when you visit. A general price is around $60+ NZD per couple a night.
Albert Town Campground
If you’re on a budget looking to save a penny and don’t need many amenities then Albert Town Campground is the perfect place to stay just outside of Wanaka.
This campground is about halfway between Wanaka and Isthmus Peak and it’s a cozy little spot to stay for a night or two! Prices start at about $12+ NZD per person and you just pay upon arrival.
Want more inspiration for your stay in Wānaka? Browse the map below!
Best restaurants and cafes in Wanaka
For being a small town, Wānaka has some pretty amazing cafes and restaurants. Most of them are located within walking distance of each other so it’s easy to explore multiple places without having to drive.
If you’re a coffee lover, beer enthusiast, or just like good food we’re sure you’ll enjoy these delicious places in town! Below we’ve listed out some of our favourite cafés and restaurants, and highlighted some local specialties!
Cafes in Wanaka
Scroggin Coffee and Eatery
At Scroggin, you get delicious barista coffee and yummy, Insta-friendly food such as avocado toast and Turkish eggs! On a sunny day, you can sit outside and enjoy the patio, and on a rainy day, you can cozy up inside while enjoying the fresh smell of coffee and their baked goods.
We love coming to Scroggin to chill on our laptops while enjoying a nice cup of coffee (it’s probably the best in Wānaka). They are very laptop-friendly and you’ll pretty much always find other people doing the same thing.
It’s a pretty good spot to fuel up on caffeine before summiting Ishmust Peak or Roys Peak or just going out to explore the area.
Kamino – Coffee Shop & Eatery
Kamino is a little hidden gem in Wanaka and we only found it right before we left. This coffee shop is actually right off one of the main streets but it feels like it’s hidden away because it’s tucked between shops and buildings and a little hard to find unless you’re specifically looking for it.
This is more of a traditional NZ-type of coffee shop. Coffee is their speciality and then they have a variety of sweets and sandwiches on display that you can munch on if you’re hungry. We only tried their coffee but it was great!
They have a variety of indoor and outdoor seating including a stunning rooftop that overlooks the city! So if you like good coffee and good views make sure to stop by and check out Kamino.
The Coffee Dojo
The coffee at Coffee Dojo is delicious (we had their Thunderbolt Black Coffee) and it was really nice sitting outside on the patio when the sun was out.
This is one of the coffee shops that’s actually not located right in town and located in the more industrial part of town which makes it a bit quieter than in town but it does make for a great spot.
We had to do our laundry so we dropped our stuff off at the laundromat next door (more on this in the next section) and then came to Coffee Dojo for a bit to hang out and enjoy some good coffee.
Also read: 7 Best Cafes in Wanaka You Need to Try
Restaurants and cafes in Wanaka
Doughbin Bakery
Get ready for the best pie in Wanaka! Yes, we said it… This isn’t your typical sit-down, stunning food type of cafe. Instead, it’s a “pick your favourite pie and maybe a coffee” and go enjoy it out in the sun.
Our go-to is always the steak and pepper pie and they were really good. Maybe it’s just us but for some reason, we also really love the steak and pepper pie from the New World Grocery store! However, the one at Doughbin takes the cake! (No pun intended).
It’s probably no surprise since they’ve won multiple awards for the best pie in New Zealand! Doughbin Bakery in New Zealand has been recognized many times for different pie awards and you’ll see all the awards hanging out the main window in the shop.
Big Fig Wanaka
Big Fig’s motto is “slow food, served fast”, and just absolutely delicious – and that’s exactly what it’s all about. When you get to Big Fig, you’ll just see an abundance of delicious food to pick from! It’s a great lunch or dinner spot if you’re looking for a variety of food – and it’s lakefront!
PS: They also do good coffee (although it’s kinda small).
Food trucks in Wanaka
The Food Trucks in Wanaka is the most chill place to go for food. There’s a bunch of different food trucks serving up everything from bagels and coffee to Mexican food, Italian pizza, and fried chicken. It’s a great spot to with a bunch of friends so everyone can just order what they want.
There are a bunch of picnic tables where you can sit outside and enjoy the vibe of Wanaka. It’s definitely a place you have to eat at least once while you’re in Wanaka! (If you eat meat, the chicken wrap from Burrito Craft is the best).
Local Wanaka specialities
The pies at Doughbin Bakery – There’s a reason they’ve won the amount of awards that they have and it’s because their pies are that damn good.
Coffee at Scroggin – The vibe and the coffee combo are unmatchable! Scroggin is also lakeside and the place for specialty coffee in Wanaka!
Ground Up Brewing – This microbrewery is the place to go if you’re looking for delicious local beer in town! They also have food but we suggest going to the food trucks for that instead!
Essential services to know about in Wanaka
Laundry service
Liquid Laundromat – Laundromat chain where you have to buy a card and top it up $10 a time. This chain has over 120 sites in New Zealand so keep your card and you can use it again later. Grab a coffee at Coffee Dojo, fuel up at McKeown Wanaka (the cheapest gas in town), or check out the second-hand selection at Wastebusters while you wait.
Caltex Laundry and Shower – Has all the facilities you need if you’re on the road and need to clean up. From washers to dryers and showers you’ll feel as good as new after a trip to Caltex. This one is located closer to the town centre than Liquid Laundromat.
Grocery stores
New World Supermarket – This is a big chain grocery store right in the heart of town where you’ll be able to find almost everything you need from food to cleaning products and much more. There’s also a bigger New World (Three Parks) closer to Mount Iron Track next to Mountain Warehouse.
Night N Day Wanaka – Smaller grocery shop where you can get snacks and simple ingredients. Good if you’re looking for snacks, pies, etc. and just want to grab something quick.
Woolworths Metro Wānaka – Another smaller grocery store in Wanaka. This one is located super close to Scroggin Coffee.
Pharmacies and medical services
Wanaka Medical – This is the place to go if you need to see a general practitioner in town. If you don’t have travel insurance already, we recommend getting SafetyWing to make sure you’re covered abroad (it can even be purchased after your trip has started).
Wanaka Pharmacy – Wanaka Pharmacy is located a few minutes walk from the center of town.
Outdoor gear shops
Outside Sports Wanaka – Great place to go if you’re looking for some outdoor gear. They have everything from skis to hiking clothes and tents.
Racers Edge – If you need new hiking boots, a backpack, or some gear for your hiking trips, you can get pretty much everything here. The staff is super friendly and willing to help!
Macpac Wanaka – This is one of our go-to shops for anything outdoorsy! Macpac is a big chain store so you can find anything you might need for the outdoors. By the way, their hiking socks are really comfy!
Extra Wanaka tips for travellers and backpackers
Packing tips
We have a full packing list for New Zealand here that you can check out. It will give you a good idea of what to pack + a printable packing list.
When packing, keep the time of year in mind as it gets snowy and cold in the winter (June-September) and in summer it gets warmer but still with the occasional cooler day. It is a mountain town after all.
You can check out the average monthly weather for Wanaka here to give you an idea of what to expect!
Budgeting
Since we travel full-time, we always have to stay on top of our budget. It’s not always easy to budget and save money in New Zealand but there are definitely ways to make things more affordable.
One of the biggest ways to save money in New Zealand in our opinion is to find cheap or free campsites to stay at. Especially if you have a campervan! You can find a few DOC Campsites near Wanaka which are usually quite affordable and you can quickly save a lot of money. This one for example is $10 a night.
One of the best things you can do is purchase a DOC Campsite Pass which will give you access to over 90 different campsites across New Zealand! You can select a 30-night pass or a 365-night Campsite Pass.
Safety tips
Generally speaking, New Zealand is very safe! Unlike their neighbouring country, Australia, there are no dangerous animals, insects, or reptiles in New Zealand.
The primary things you want to look out for and prepare for are driving (take this from someone who actually had a car accident in NZ), being prepared when enjoying the outdoors, and earthquakes.
Something we do when travelling is to always let a family member or friend know where we are – especially if we’re going hiking or doing other outdoor adventures.
Another thing that we don’t do (and this is more because our social media has grown and we have a public profile) is that we never share our exact location in real time on our social media. If you ever see us posting a hotel, a campsite, or anything like that, we have already left that exact location.
If we’re staying in a place like Wanaka we usually share the stories of our time there including accommodation once we’ve actually left the town and have moved on to our next destination.
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Leave no trace
Another thing we preach and always try to follow is the 7 principles of leaving no trace.
This means:
- Plan ahead and prepare.
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
- Dispose of waste properly.
- Leave what you find.
- Minimize campfire impacts.
- Respect wildlife.
- Be considerate of others.
By doing this we keep the trails, town, and local area in the state it was before (or better). If everyone does their part then the trails we hike on and the places we visit will hopefully stay in the condition they are in for years to come.
Personal stories and experiences from Wanaka
We want to briefly share a few highlights from our time in Wanaka and some of the things we love about this town to give you an idea of what we love about Wanaka.
Late night hike up Mount Iron Track
The Mount Iron Track is probably the most well-known local hike you can do in Wanaka. One night we got home to our accommodation full of energy and decided it would be fun to hike up Mount Iron even though it was like 9 pm.
I think we were the only people on the trail and once we got to the top of Mount Iron the full moon was shining so bright and we could see Lake Wanaka from above. It was such a fun and unique experience.
If you decide to do this too, obviously bring a headlamp to make it easier to see where you’re going and an extra layer of clothing to stay warm. It’s a great hike during the day but it was a pretty fun experience doing it late at night!
The trip to Mou Waho Island
We got a gift card to Tinggly for Christmas from our families and we decided to spend it on this awesome afternoon trip to Mou Waho Island! We took the water taxi on Lake Wanaka to the island and then had the chance to explore this little island in the middle of Lake Wanaka.
It was probably the most unique and cool adventure we did in Wanaka and if you get a chance to do it then we highly recommend it! You can book this tour through Tinggly or GetYourGuide.
Scroggin Coffee
We love good coffee and we always look for cute coffee shops wherever we go! Scroggin is such a vibe and the coffee is great! We’d often go here and bring our laptops to research new hikes and fun things to do + write blog posts from our trip.
Windy day up at Ishtmus Peak
We’ve spoken about Roys Peak vs Isthmus Peak a few times in this blog post, but we didn’t actually share our experience of hiking Isthmus Peak and it was quite wild, haha!
The weather wasn’t really on our side and we had crazy wind basically the whole way up to the peak – and not just regular wind but proper mountain wind where our hair was everywhere! We almost turned back a few times but we battled it out and it was probably one of the coolest hikes we’ve done in Wanaka!
Also read: Hiking Isthmus Peak – One of Wānaka’s Best Hikes
Movie at Cinema Paradiso in Wanaka
Cinema Paradiso is the most small-town movie theatre we’ve ever been to and it was the coziest experience ever! First of all, you could only make a reservation by calling them to tell them which movie you wanted to watch and when, and they would write down your name.
Then, once we got there, they asked us if we wanted to pre-buy a freshly made cookie for the halfway intermission. We made the rookie mistake of saying no (I really don’t know why) but they smelled so good and we seriously regretted it! So don’t make the same mistake as us, haha!
It was such a unique experience and the seats were so comfy – which, by the way, all the seats were couches and different types of comfy chairs and you just picked your own seat once you got there. This is definitely a must-do if you’re looking for something to do in the evening or on a rainy day in Wanaka.
You may also like…
- 5 Stunning Hikes to Do in Wanaka, New Zealand
- 7 Best Cafes in Wanaka You Need to Try
- Best Viewpoint Near Wanaka – Lake Wanaka Lookout Hike
- 6 of the Best Hotels in Wānaka (New Zealand)
- Skip Roys Peak, Hike This Track Instead
Recap of the ultimate guide to Wanaka
That’s it for this guide about Wanaka! Hopefully, it covered everything you wanted to know. There’s an abundance of information about Wanaka and we decided to compile a list of what we think is most beneficial for you to know for your trip based on our personal experience.
Wanaka is an awesome outdoor paradise on the South Island and it’s one of our favourite places to explore in New Zealand. We hope you get to experience this magical gem and get to hike lots of mountains, drink delicious coffee, and enjoy all the outdoor adventures!
If you have more questions about Wānaka or anything else related to New Zealand, feel free to DM us on Instagram or leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
We love sharing information about the places we visit and we hope it inspires you to come and explore Wānaka too!
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