Lake Wanaka celebrates four distinct seasons, with a variety of activities, attractions and unique wilderness areas. Centrally located in the Southern Lakes district travellers are well placed to access the Mount Aspiring, Fiordland, Mount Cook and Westland National Parks.

Weather

The weather in Wanaka and the surrounding Alps can change rapidly. In order to allow for variable weather conditions and enable you to enjoy several activities, we recommend a stay of 3 or 4 nights, or 4 or 5 if you plan to include a night at the Whare Kea Chalet. For weather forecast information see www.metvuw.com. For a live webcam website overlooking lake Wanaka and Whare Kea Lodge see: www.lakewanaka.co.nz

Activities

Local Walks

There are many activities on offer including: easy walking tracks around Lake Wanaka and in the nearby hills from which there are outstanding views of the lake and mountains (see www.wildwalks.co.nz). See www.lakewanaka.co.nz for a more detailed list of all the local activities.

Siberia Experience

This is a fantastic good weather day trip giving a complete experience covering scenic flight, walk and jet boat ride through the remote high mountains of the Southern Alps. See www.siberiaexperience.co.nz, www.southernalpsair.co.nz and www.wilkinriverjets.co.nz.

Rob Roy Valley Walk

A great way to experience the Alps at close hand when the weather is not suitable for flying. Drive to the Mt Aspiring National Park at the end of the Matukituki Valley Road (1 hour). Then follow the well sign posted walking track, crossing the swing bridge over the Matukituki River and then ascend through the beech forest to the alpine meadows under the Rob Roy Glacier. See www.lakewanaka.co.nz for information on many other local walks.

Mou Waho Island Walk

Take a boat from the beach front in Wanaka for a 1 hour cruise to Mou Waho island in the middle of Lake Wanaka. On the island, there is a 1½ hour round trip walk to the beautiful Arethusa Pool. See www.lakelandadventures.co.nz.

Hunting

The mountains around offer excellent hunting grounds for wild red deer, chamois and Himalayan tahr. Hunting for duck, quail and Canadian geese is also an option. The hunting season runs from mid March to 31st August with the best months from April to June. See www.minaretoutfitters.com for a good description of local conditions.

Wineries

The Otago district nearby Queenstown contains many excellent vineyards offering wine tasting and local cuisine. The cool but sunny and dry climate in this area produces great pinot noirs and chardonnays. See www.otagowine.com.

Golf

For those who prefer to play golf there are three local eighteen hole courses, including one in Wanaka, two in Arrowtown (¾ hour drive - see www.millbrook.co.nz) and one in Queenstown (1 hour drive).

Helicopter scenic flight

To really appreciate the Southern Alps you should take a helicopter scenic flight around the Mt Aspiring National Park. For general information about the Mount Aspiring National Park see www.doc.govt.nz

Milford Sound

The trip to Milford Sound is a great way to combine a scenic flight over Mt Aspiring National Park with a boat cruise in the fiords of the West Coast.

Wanaka Air Show

The famous ‘Warbirds Over Wanaka’ air show is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere with spectacular flying displays of vintage aircraft of all ages. War Over Wanaka is held biannually at Easter, with the next show to be held in 2008. See www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com.

Dart River

This full day trip takes you up the remote Dart river past the towering Mount Earnslaw where several of the scenes from "Lord of the Rings" were filmed. See www.dartriverjet.co.nz and www.funyaks.co.nz.

Rafting & Kayaking

The best way to enjoy the Clutha, New Zealand’s biggest river, is to take the eco-rafting or kayaking trip from the Albert Town Bridge. Time on the river approximately 3 hours.

Fly Fishing

From Wanaka, it is easy to access the famous rivers, streams and lakes of Otago and Southland. There you can try your luck fly fishing, for either trout (brown and rainbow) or salmon (Chinook). The season opens 1st October for rivers flowing from the lakes and 1st November for rivers flowing into the lakes. The season closes on 31st May, with the best months from October till March. The salmon run from December to April. Local guides are a virtual necessity and remote locations require the use of the helicopter. See www.fly-fishing-guide-wanaka-new-zealand.co.nz or www.southernlakesfishing.co.nz for a description of local conditions.

Harris Mountains Heli Skiing

Wanaka is the base for New Zealand’s largest and oldest heliski operation - Harris Mountains Heliskiing. You can choose to heliski with HMH on an adhoc daily basis or you might like to put together a group of friends and charter your own helicopter and guides for the week. See www.heliski.co.nz.

Resort Skiing

Wanaka is located between two of New Zealand’s best alpine ski resorts; Cardrona (see www.cardrona.co.nz) and Treble Cone (see www.treblecone.com) as well as close to the Waiorau Nordic ski area (see www.snowfarmnz.com).

Mountaineering

Wanaka is the home town for many of New Zealand’s UIAGM qualified mountain guides, famous for their guided ascents of all the highest mountains in the world. These guides can lead guests to the summit of Mt Aspiring. See www.adventure.co.nz or www.aspiringguides.com.