Wanaka is a town in the Central Otago region and is situated at the southern end of Lake Wanaka, adjacent to the outflow of the lake to the Clutha River. In Wanaka you can saddle up a horse and embrace the great outdoors. If that sounds too energetic, slide into a café and absorb the lakeside scenery.
It’s obvious that the Wanaka district is nicely obsessed with aviation. At the airport you can arrange to go flightseeing or sky diving, and every two years the town hosts a spectacular airshow revolving around classic military aircrafts. Winter is a busy time in Wanaka, as the town fills up with snow sports fans. Local snow venues include Treble Cone, Cardrona and Waiorau.
Lake Wanaka is a place to take a deep breath and relax. Protected from the outside world by the grandeur of the mountains, you’re enclosed in a hidden paradise. Crystal clear lake waters lap the shores of the town of Wanaka and the feet of the Southern Alps, which are home to winter ski fields and the dramatically alpine Mount Aspiring National Park.
Centuries of glacial action crafted Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Discover their scenic perfection by mountain biking the high trails, paragliding over the hills, sightseeing by air or walking the myriad of tracks.
The jewel of the region is its highest point, Mount Aspiring (3,027 metres), which nestles comfortably in one of the country’s largest national parks. Delve inside the park's boundaries and discover a rare world.
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The pinnacle of this park, Mount Aspiring/Tititea, is much loved by climbers and photographers
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Named for Mount Aspiring, one of New Zealand's highest peaks, Mount Aspiring National Park is a dreamland of mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes.
In the past, Maori trekked through the region on their way to the pounamu fields of the west coast; Europeans visited to map, name and explore geographical features of the area; settlers attempted to farm and mine some of the valleys - the relics have blended into the stunning scenery.
For wilderness lovers, the park offers an extensive choice of valley journeys - including the Routeburn Track. In summer, it's possible to walk from one valley to another over spectacular mountain passes.
In straddling the 'great divide' of the Southern Alps, the Mount Aspiring National Park presents a breathtaking range of landscapes.
At its heart is a massive area of wilderness - glaciers, snowfields, mountains, valleys and wildlife habitats that require days of hiking to reach. To the west of the divide, where rainfall is plentiful, the beech forest comes with a sound track of birdsong and waterfalls. Deep in the glacier-gouged valleys of the east, grassy river flats are hemmed by imposing mountains. And above the tree line, subalpine gardens of tussock, lichens and dainty flowering herbs survive against all odds.
Rock forms are an unforgettable feature of the park. From the curiously coloured slopes of the Red Hills to the brittle grey schist of the alps, ice ages and huge tectonic upheavals have created beauty with a hard edge.
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Centuries of glacial action crafted Lake Hawea
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Excavated by massive glaciers more than 10,000 years ago, Lakes Wanaka and Hawea lie side by side. At a sliver of land known as The Neck, which is just 1000 metres wide, the glaciers were once joined.
Ringed by pebbly beaches and with magnificent views to the surrounding peaks, Lake Hawea offers a variety of adventures. The lake is a popular resort, and is well used in the summer for fishing, boating and swimming. The nearby mountains and fast-flowing rivers allow for adventure tourism year-round, with jetboating and skiing facilities located nearby.
From Lake Hawea Township you can find an excellent walk by following Timaru River Road to Timaru Creek, a picnic and camping area. The trail that begins here leads through a valley of beech forest until it flattens onto a braided river bed.
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Centuries of glacial action crafted Lake Wanaka
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Lake Wanaka is a place to take a deep breath and relax. Protected from the outside world by the grandeur of the mountains, you’re enclosed in a hidden paradise.
Crystal clear lake waters lap the shores of Wanaka town and the feet of the Southern Alps, which are home to winter ski fields and the dramatically alpine Mount Aspiring National Park.
Lake Wanaka is New Zealand's fourth largest; its clean, blue waters are an inland sea for sailors and jetboaters to explore. Walking tracks and bridle trails wander the flats and foothills. In all seasons, outdoor adventures beckon.
The region’s fortunes have changed over the years. The discovery of gold in the 1870s inspired a rush of interest in the area. As the gold faded away, high country farming became the main source of employment. Today, tourism is the new gold – an endeavour that requires the environment to stay picture perfect.
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