Wanaka

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Why visit Wanaka?

Wanaka is a lakeside town in the Southern Alps of New Zealand's South Island, about an hour from Queenstown over the Crown Range. It is quieter than Queenstown but has the same mountain scenery, and it is a base for skiing in winter and hiking, biking and lake activities in summer.

The famous Wanaka Tree, a lone willow growing in the lake, is one of the most photographed sights in New Zealand. Hike up Roys Peak for a sweeping view over the lake and its islands, or take the easier walk up Mount Iron. Mount Aspiring National Park begins nearby, with the Rob Roy Glacier Track a popular day walk. In winter, Cardrona and Treble Cone ski areas are a short drive away. Puzzling World is a fun stop for families, and the lakefront has cafés, restaurants and a relaxed, outdoorsy feel. Local wineries in the Central Otago region produce excellent Pinot Noir.

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Everything for your Wanaka trip

Book flights, stays, tours and more — all in one place

Hotels Flights Travel insurance Activities Tours & day trips Attractions Car rental eSIM Airport transfer Experiences Scooters & bikes Luggage storage Flight delay refund

More options: Kiwi.com · Oojo · seats.aero · Arangrant · eSky · lastminute.com · Megabon · QEEQ · AutoEurope · Hertz · GetTransfer · Suntransfers · Saily · Yesim · GigSky · Klook · EF Ultimate Break · EF Adventures · AirHelp Plus · CruiseDirect · Travelpro

Local partners in Wanaka: Club del Sole · ICON Collection · Baglioni · COMO · UNA Italian Hospitality

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Popular experiences in Wanaka

The things travellers book most here. You pay the same price as booking direct.

Food & drink toursCooking classesDay tripsSkip-the-line ticketsWalking toursEvening & night toursBoat trips & cruises

Top tours & activities in Wanaka

Find hotels in WanakaMore experiences on Klook

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When to go to Wanaka

The best months for Wanaka are January, February, March, July, August and December. Highs then range from 8°C to 22°C, crowds are medium at peak, and a week here is mid-priced.

Jan
22°
low 13°
8 wet days
Feb
21°
low 13°
9 wet days
Mar
19°
low 11°
9 wet days
Apr
16°
low 8°
9 wet days
May
13°
low 6°
12 wet days
Jun
8°
low 3°
11 wet days
Jul
8°
low 2°
10 wet days
Aug
10°
low 3°
12 wet days
Sep
12°
low 4°
14 wet days
Oct
15°
low 6°
12 wet days
Nov
18°
low 9°
13 wet days
Dec
20°
low 12°
14 wet days
Highlighted = best monthsNumber = average daytime highBar = how wet the month is

Temperatures and wet days are measured, not estimated: ERA5 reanalysis for 2021-2023, at Wanaka, Otago. Source: Open-Meteo.

Planning Wanaka

Best time to visit WanakaMonth by month, measuredWhere to stay in WanakaWhich area suits youHow many days you needWhat fits in a short or long stay

Wanaka — common questions

When is the best time to visit Wanaka?

The best months for Wanaka are January, February, March, July, August and December. Highs then range from 8°C to 22°C, crowds are medium at peak, and a week here is mid-priced.

What is the weather like in Wanaka?

January is the warmest month, with daytime highs around 22°C. June is the coolest, around 8°C by day and 3°C at night. September is the wettest, with about 14 wet days. Figures are measured averages, not estimates.

What is Wanaka known for?

Wanaka is best known for nature, mountains and adventure. The things people come for: Wanaka Tree, Roys Peak, Rob Roy Glacier, Cardrona ski area.

Who is Wanaka best suited to?

Wanaka works particularly well for couples, groups of friends, families and solo travellers. That is based on what there is to do there, not on who books it most.

What can you book in advance in Wanaka?

The experiences that sell out first are food tours, cooking classes, day trips, skip-the-line tickets, walking tours and night tours. You can check availability and prices on our booking partners below — you pay the same as booking direct.

Food toursCooking classesDay tripsSkip-the-line ticketsWalking toursNight tours

Do I need a visa for New Zealand?

That depends on your passport and how long you are staying, so there is no single answer. TonyPlan has a visa and entry checker — put in your nationality and it tells you what applies to you.

Check visa requirements

Get the Wanaka guide as a PDF

Why to go, the best months with real measured temperatures, which area to stay in, and what flights cost right now — in one file you can read on the plane. Free.

We will also send new guides and itineraries as we publish them. No fixed schedule, and you can unsubscribe from any email.

Free tools for your Wanaka trip

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