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Travel

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Marie Stone

Marie reports here on our blog about travel, adventure and weddings.

Marie Stone Author

Wanaka

Nestled on the shores of Lake Wanaka, Wanaka is a resort town that offers a relaxed New Zealand holiday in a beautiful setting. Wanaka is more laid back than its cousin, action-packed Queenstown and has a country charm all of its own. Backed by the magnificent Southern Alps and coloured by four distinct seasons, the area is a nature lover’s paradise.  Wanaka is a short bus ride from Queenstown.  Hire a bus with us from Queenstown.   

Wanaka on New Zealand’s South Island is the perfect base to explore Mount Aspiring National Park, the third-largest National Park in the country and there is a good choice of high country tramping tracks to enjoy. During the winter months, Wanaka is a busy place with ski enthusiasts flocking to the slopes of Treble Cone and Cardrona. In the summer months, Wanaka offers some of the best walking tracks and outdoor activities in New Zealand. Activities centred around the lakes and rivers include jet boating, kayaking, swimming, waterskiing, fishing and paragliding. Wanaka has some great cycle tracks around to scenic Glendhu Bay or Lake Hawea and you can hire bikes in town if you don’t have your own.

Mountain biking is popular through the tussock covered hills and Heli biking will give you the ultimate thrill. There are some unusual attractions to visit including Cinema Paradiso, a unique way to watch a movie and enjoy some homemade goodies. If you are on holiday with the kids, they will love Stuart Landsborough’s Puzzling World. Get lost in the maze and experience a world of illusion that will test your mind to the max. Visit the transport and toy museum or see how good your aim is at Have a Shot. Make time to try the local food and wine with a visit to Rippon Vineyard or Wanaka Beerworks. Dine out at one of the character-filled cafes and restaurants in town or stroll through the Mediterranean markets for a foodie fix.

A number of world-famous events are held in Wanaka including Warbirds Over Wanaka and Festival of Colour. Wanaka has a good selection of accommodation to choose from with most resorts, motels and lodges located close to the town centre providing easy access to Wanaka’s shopping and dining venues. Local holiday accommodation can also be found on snow at Cardrona. 

If you travel south, through Queenstown you can make it to the amazing Milford sounds.  The scale and beauty of the sounds will blow you away.