Wanaka Region

Introducing Wanaka Region

With overgrown valleys, unspoiled rivers and tumbling glaciers, the Wanaka region is crowned with the colossal Mt Aspiring (Tititea), the highest peak outside the Mt Cook region. Enter this area from the north via Haast Pass, and you encounter the region’s beautiful twin lakes, Wanaka and Hawea, two expansive freshwater siblings wedged between awesome hills and cliffs. From the south via Cardrona, stunning valley views and mountain vistas are on tap. The Wanaka region, and especially the activity-filled town of Wanaka itself, is seeing more and more travellers, but it’s still a quieter alternative to pumpin’ Queenstown. And once you’ve sampled a few closer-to-Wanaka action activities and told tall stories in the town’s pubs and bars, get off the tourist trail by exploring the Mt Aspiring National Park, or the forested wilderness around Makarora.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009