Lake Wanaka

Introduction

The dazzling Southern Alps location and the proximity to Queenstown have made Wanaka an enticing stopover for most of the South Island guests. Many stunning sights, adventurous attractions, the Lake Wanaka tree, and classy vineyards are found on this tour. The lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains on all sides, making the drives around the lake a picturesque one, irrespective of which direction you approach the lake. Its most iconic landmark is however the wanaka tree, which is a lone tree sitting in the middle of the lake, and it is possibly the most photographed landmark in New Zealand and almost synonymous with New Zealand tourism.

Details

The Country’s fourth-largest lake, Lake Wanaka is situated in the Otago region at 278 meters above sea level. The Lake runs 300 meters deep and covers an entire area of 192 km². The original Maori name of the lake is Oanaka which means ‘The Place of Anaka’, a local tribal chief. The town situated near the foot of the lake is named Wanaka. Stretching over 45 kilometers and covering a huge area, Lake Wanaka is an abode for jet boaters, sailors, and kayakers for exploration.

Located in the dazzling alps of the country, guests from all around the world visiting New Zealand are attracted to the Wanaka region and its unique beauty. The spectacular mountain and the lakeside setting of the Wanaka Treeadded with the proximity to Mt. Aspiring National Park which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Area, are all the reasons to include this visit in your checklist.

Situated beneath the Southern Alps, the pristine water of the lakes invites one for the greatest of paddling adventures throughout the day.A beautiful climb to the world’s highest waterfall through the Feratta is bound to increase the adrenaline rush for the guests. Guests can Visit the Magical Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve and have a look at the rare flightless Buff Weka.

One of the family favorites, the Cardrona Alpine resort offers a world-class freestyle park while the Treble Cone is the South Island’s largest skiing area. The Snow Farm offers an opportunity for cross- country skiing as well. This is one of the best sites to spot the Lake Wanaka Trees. Another great highlight of the place is the Jet boating experience along the Matukituki River which will give you a thorough and thrilling experience.

While exploring the World Heritage site, hike up the mountain, hike the Roys Peak trail and have a splendid view of the renowned Rob Roy Glacier. Mountain Biking is another top activity to do around here. The Deans Bank Mountain Biking Track is a challenging and at the same time a fun-filled track.

Where to Stay

As the Wanaka region attracts a great number of guests all around the year, a large number of hotel establishments can be found in the region as well. The Edgewater Hotel around the lake Wanaka will give you one of the best proximities to the splendid sight. The Lakeside Apartments situated in Wanaka are bound to give you the best morning scenes in the area.