15 BEST Things to do in Wanaka, New Zealand (2026)
There are so many things to do in Wānaka, from big mountain hikes and adventure activities to hidden waterfalls and relaxing afternoons by the lake. It’s one of my favourite places to explore in the South Island, and I’ve spent plenty of weekends here as well as doing day trips over from Queenstown when I was living there.
Wānaka has a lot of what makes Queenstown so popular, huge mountain views, a beautiful lake and plenty of ways to get out and explore. But it feels a little more relaxed. The town is smaller, you can get into nature quickly and you don’t have to go far to find some pretty amazing scenery.
There’s also a lot more to do here than Roys Peak and That Wānaka Tree. You can climb a waterfall on a Via Ferrata, take a boat out to an island with a lake on top of it, explore Mount Aspiring National Park, find hidden waterfalls or spend a summer afternoon out on Lake Wānaka.
I’ve put together some of my favourite things to do around Wānaka, from big hikes and adventure activities to easier walks, hidden gems and a few places to slow down. If you’re planning a trip here, you’ll find plenty of ideas to add to your itinerary.
Best Things to do in Wanaka
1. Hike Roys Peak
Roys Peak is easily one of the most recognisable hikes around Wānaka, and the views are a big reason why it has become so popular.
The track is a challenging climb, covering around 16 km return with more than 1,200 m of elevation gain. It’s a steep and fairly demanding hike, so you’ll want to allow several hours and make sure you’re prepared with plenty of water, food and layers.
The reward is the view from the top, looking across Lake Wānaka and the surrounding Southern Alps.
If you’re up for an early start, sunrise is particularly impressive. You’ll need to leave very early to reach the summit in time, but watching the sun come up over the mountains and lake makes the effort worthwhile.
Roys Peak is a popular hike for a reason, but it’s not one you want to underestimate. Come prepared and give yourself enough time to enjoy it.
2. Take a Trip to Mou Waho Island
Mou Waho Island is out in the middle of Lake Wānaka and is home to a small lake at the top of the island. So you get a lake, on an island, in a lake. It’s a pretty cool thing to see and makes this a bit different from the other places you can visit around Wānaka.
We took our own boat out to Mou Waho Island, but you don’t need your own boat to visit. You can book a guided tour if you’d like someone to take you around the island and share more about the area, or if you’d rather explore at your own pace, you can simply book tickets for the boat ride out there.
From the landing point, it’s around a 30 minute walk uphill to reach the lake at the top. The walk isn’t particularly difficult, and there are plenty of views to enjoy as you make your way up.
Once you reach the top, you can see the small lake surrounded by the island’s landscape, with views stretching out over Lake Wānaka and towards the mountains beyond. The views from up here are amazing and make for some great photos.
Mou Waho is also much quieter than some of Wānaka’s more popular attractions. If you time your visit around the other tour boats, you can end up with only a few people on the island, which makes it even better.
3. See That Wānaka Tree
That Wānaka Tree is probably the most famous attraction in town, and it’s also one of the easiest to visit.
The lone willow tree grows directly out of Lake Wānaka and has become one of New Zealand’s most photographed landmarks. It sits along the lakefront, just a short walk from the centre of town.
There isn’t a big hike or activity involved here. You can simply walk along the lake, take in the views and stop at the tree along the way.
The water level can change quite a bit throughout the year, which can make the tree look surprisingly different. When the lake is lower, you might not get the classic image of the tree standing in the water.
It’s a quick stop, but with the lake and mountains behind it, it’s worth seeing while you’re in Wānaka.
4. Climb a Waterfall with Wildwire
If you’re looking for an adventure that gets you properly involved, Wildwire’s Via Ferrata is a great option in Wānaka.
The experience takes you up Twin Falls using steel rungs, cables and suspension bridges fixed to the rock. There are different levels to choose from, so you can pick how much climbing you want to take on.
The easiest option takes around 2–3 hours, while the longer climbs can take up to seven hours. You don’t need any previous climbing experience for the Lord of the Rungs climbs, although you do need to be comfortable with heights and walking on hilly terrain.
What I really like about the Via Ferrata is how hands-on it is. You’re not just sitting back while a guide does the hard work for you. Once you’ve been shown how to use the equipment, you’re climbing the rungs, crossing the suspension bridges and making your way up the waterfall yourself.
The lower-level climb takes you 150 metres up alongside the waterfall and across four suspension bridges, while the more advanced climbs take you further up the waterfall into steeper and more exposed sections.
It’s a really good choice if you want to try something adventurous but still want to feel like you’re actually doing the activity yourself. You’ll also get some pretty impressive views over the surrounding mountains as you climb.
5. Go Skydiving
Wānaka is one of the most scenic places in New Zealand to go skydiving, with views across Lake Wānaka, the Southern Alps and the surrounding mountains.
Tandem skydiving means you’re attached to an experienced instructor throughout the jump, so no previous experience is needed.
There are a few different jump heights to choose from, including 9,000, 12,000 and 15,000 feet. I’ll always recommend going for the highest one if your budget allows, but you still get an incredible experience from the lower jumps. The higher you go, the longer you get to take in the views and experience the freefall, but you don’t need to choose the most expensive option to have an amazing day.
Obviously, jumping out of a plane is the main event, but the scenery is a big part of what makes skydiving in Wānaka so appealing. Looking down over the lake and mountains from thousands of feet in the air is pretty hard to beat.
If skydiving has been on your bucket list, Wānaka is a pretty spectacular place to do it.
6. Take a Jet Boat and Wilderness Tour
If you want to get out into the Wānaka backcountry without spending the entire day hiking, a jet boat and wilderness tour is a pretty fun way to do it.
The tour takes you up the Matukituki River, with the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park getting bigger and more impressive as you head further into the valley. And yes, you get the fun of the jet boat ride, but that’s only half of the experience.
Once you’re further up the valley, you’ll swap the jet boat for a guided wilderness walk. The pace slows right down, giving you time to explore the surrounding landscape and take in the mountains, rivers and native bush around you.
I think the best part is getting two very different experiences in one trip. You get the excitement of racing up the river, then get to slow things down and properly explore the valley once you’re further in.
7. Go Wine Tasting
Wānaka isn’t all hiking and adventure activities. There are also several wineries around the area, making wine tasting a good way to spend a slower afternoon.
One of the wineries I’ve visited is Rippon, which sits on the hillside overlooking Lake Wānaka. The views across the lake and towards the mountains are pretty hard to beat.
Rippon does free wine tastings, which are quite popular, so you’ll want to book well in advance if you want to visit. You can try a selection of their wines and purchase a bottle afterwards if you find one you like.
If you don’t want to travel as far from town, Maude is another great option. It’s right in Wānaka, so it’s an easy one to add to your day without needing to drive out to the surrounding vineyards.
You can also join a wine tour if you want to visit a few different wineries without having to worry about driving. This great tour takes you to four different wineries around the Wānaka region, giving you the chance to try a range of local wines and see a few different vineyards in one day.
After a few days of hiking and adventure activities, it’s a nice change of pace.
8. Visit Puzzling World
Puzzling World is one of Wānaka’s more unusual attractions and is a good option if you want to do something that doesn’t involve hiking.
The attraction is filled with optical illusions, puzzles and interactive exhibits, along with the famous Great Maze.
The maze is probably the main attraction, but the illusion rooms are also worth checking out.
It’s particularly useful to have an activity like this in mind for a rainy day, and it works well for families as well as adults looking for something a little different.
9. Walk Mount Iron
If you want a great view over Wānaka without committing to the long climb up Roys Peak, Mount Iron is a great option.
The 4.5 km loop takes you up and around Mount Iron, with the views getting better as you climb. From the summit, you can look across Wānaka, Lake Wānaka and towards the surrounding mountains.
I like that you can get a proper mountain view without having to spend most of your day on the track. It’s also really close to town, so it’s easy to fit into your itinerary if you only have a few hours.
The track is still a decent climb, so don’t expect a completely effortless walk, but compared with some of Wānaka’s bigger hikes, it’s a much more manageable option.
10. Visit Wānaka Lavender Farm
If you’re ready for a break from mountains and hiking, the Wānaka Lavender Farm is a nice change of scenery.
The farm is just outside Wānaka and has fields of lavender with the mountains in the background, so you get a very different view of the area. It’s especially pretty when the lavender is in bloom during summer.
You can wander around the farm, check out the lavender fields and visit the shop, which has plenty of lavender products to take home. There’s also lavender ice cream, drinks and other treats if you feel like making a stop for something sweet.
It’s not going to take up your whole day, which makes it easy to fit in between other activities. I’d definitely add it to your list if you want something a little slower and different from the usual Wānaka hikes and adventure activities.
11. Find Wishbone Falls
Wishbone Falls is one of the lesser-known waterfalls around Wānaka and is a cool little stop if you’re heading out into the Matukituki Valley.
The waterfall is around 77 m high and you can actually see it from the road as you drive through the valley. There’s a short walk down to the base of the falls, where you’ll find a small pool that you can swim in during summer. I will warn you though, the water is seriously cold!
I think the setting is what makes this waterfall worth stopping for. You’ve got the waterfall surrounded by the mountains of the Matukituki Valley, and you don’t have to do a big hike to get there.
It’s around an hour from Wānaka, so I wouldn’t drive all the way out just for Wishbone Falls. But if you’re already heading towards Mount Aspiring National Park, it’s an easy stop to add to your day.
12. Relax at the Secret Sauna
After a few days of hiking, exploring and generally running yourself into the ground, the Secret Sauna at Lake Hāwea is a pretty great way to slow things down.
The sauna sits right by the lake, so you can spend some time warming up inside before heading outside for a dip in the lake. And yes, the lake is going to be cold, but that’s kind of the point!
I think the setting is what makes this experience so good. You’re sitting in a sauna with the mountains and Lake Hāwea right outside, rather than being stuck in a spa somewhere indoors.
It’s also a nice option if you’re travelling with someone who isn’t quite as keen on spending every day hiking. You can still have a really cool Wānaka experience without needing to walk up a mountain.
13. Visit the Blue Pools
The Blue Pools are about an hour and a half drive from Wānaka, but they are well worth the trip.
Once you’ve parked up, it’s only about a 30-minute walk from the car park to the Blue Pools. The track is nice and flat and easy to walk, with a couple of swing bridges along the way.
Once you get there, the colour of the water is what really stands out. It’s such a beautiful blue, with native bush and mountains surrounding you.
You can also get right down to the water, and in summer, make sure you bring your togs because it’s a popular swimming spot. The water is pretty cold, but it’s definitely refreshing on a hot day!
The Blue Pools are quite famous around New Zealand, and for good reason. They’re absolutely stunning and definitely worth adding to your Wānaka itinerary or if you are heading up to the West Coast.
14. Hire a Kayak on Lake Wānaka
Getting out on Lake Wānaka in a kayak is a great way to spend a few hours, especially on a warm summer day.
You can hire kayaks from the lakefront and head out onto the water yourself, so you don’t need to book a full-day tour or have any previous experience. You can paddle along the lake, take in the mountain views and find a quiet spot to stop for a while.
If you want to explore a little further, you can paddle out towards some of the islands in Lake Wānaka, including Ruby Island. You can also just stick closer to town and enjoy the views without making it into a big adventure.
The lake is huge, so there’s plenty of space to explore, and being out on the water gives you a completely different view of Wānaka and the mountains surrounding it.
15. Hike to Rob Roy Glacier
If you want to get properly into the mountains around Wānaka, the Rob Roy Glacier Track is a great hike to do.
The track takes you into Mount Aspiring National Park, following the Rob Roy Stream through native beech forest before opening up to some pretty incredible views of the glacier, waterfalls and surrounding mountains.
The walk is around 10 km return and takes roughly 3-4 hours, so it’s a decent half day hike but you don’t need to give up your entire day to do it.
One of my favourite things about this walk is how different it feels from Roys Peak. Instead of climbing up to look out over the landscape, you’re right in amongst the mountains, with huge cliffs, waterfalls and the glacier surrounding you.
There’s a great viewpoint at the end where you can stop and take in the scenery before heading back the way you came.
If you enjoy hiking and want to see a different side of Wānaka, I’d definitely add Rob Roy Glacier to your list.
Planning Your Wānaka Trip
Wānaka is one of those places where you can easily fill a few days without running out of things to do. You can spend one day tackling a big hike like Roys Peak, head out to Mou Waho Island the next, then slow things down with a wine tasting or a session at the Secret Sauna.
If you only have a short time here, I’d pick a few things that give you a good mix of what Wānaka has to offer. Get out into the mountains, spend some time on the lake and leave a little room to explore somewhere you didn’t plan for.
I’ve spent a lot of time around Wānaka and it’s still somewhere I’m always happy to go back to. The scenery is incredible, there are so many ways to get outside and it has that slightly slower pace that makes it easy to enjoy.
If you’re putting together a South Island itinerary, I’d definitely give yourself a few days in Wānaka. There’s a lot more here than you can fit into a quick stop.
