Lake Wanaka lies nestled against mountains, about midway down New Zealand's Southern Alps, at the gateway to the Mt Aspiring National Park. The township can be accessed from several main South Island centres; five hours driving from Christchurch via Mt Cook and Tekapo, 1 hour from Queenstown and 3 hours from Dunedin. Air New Zealand also operates once daily return flights Wanaka-Christchurch.

From Wanaka you can not only access the local mountains, Cardrona, Treble Cone and Waiorau, you also have only 1 1/2 hours to drive to reach several other skifields, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Ohau. Heliskiing with Wanaka as a base gives you a choice of terrain from Mt Cook to Queenstown.

Two lakes, Wanaka and Hawea, New Zealand's largest river, the Clutha, and the huge expanse of the mountains to the west, north and south, are the main features of the landscape. The township itself wraps around the southern end of the lake. Mt Aspiring (3309m) is one of the most dramatic peaks in the Southern Alps. Sun and open space is characteristic of Wanaka in the winter, making it a pleasant place to relax off the slopes.

How do I get there?
View the Travel Info page for details on airlines and flights, car hire, ski and snowboard holiday packages.