Introduction

Wanaka is a beautiful city in the Central Otago region of New Zealand. The city is famous for the summer and winter seasons and the tourism in Wanaka are concentrated around the outdoor opportunities changing during these seasons. The continental climate with distinct seasons stands as a supportive factor for the development of tourism in Wanaka. Summer and winter have made this place beautiful with nature’s attractions. The permanent resident population also welcomes tourists, thereby increasing the number of tourists every year.

How to get there

Wanaka can be reached from Queenstown in a car or bus in less than 50 minutes. International tourists can fly directly to Queenstown and catch or hire a shuttle service to reach Wanaka. You can get connection flight directly to the airport of Wanaka. If you are going for self drive, you could follow the Crown Range road which is the shortest route from Queenstown to Wanaka. This will be a challenging drive as well. It is possible to go for a self drive from Christchurch in 7 hours or Dunedin in 4 hours or you could reach West coast and take a 4 hour journey from there. Winter season is to be handled with care as the roads conditions could be unfavorable. The scheduled services run by the companies offer convenient transportation to and from Wanaka.

What to See and Do

There is much to see and do in Wanaka. The beautiful lake of Wanaka and the mountain views are the most enjoyable scenic beauty of Wanaka. At the same time, the city has grown as a tourist resort making this part of New Zealand commercialized with modern amenities. The nightlife of Wanaka is diverse and you could enjoy the beauty of the wineries spread across the land. Viewing the Alps across the waters and enjoying their reflections in the gleaming water is a wonderful sight in Wanaka. Enjoying the beauty of the exotic trees on the lake side of Wanaka is a spectacular sight. Walking in the Wanaka and the national park are some really marvelous experience for tourists in Wanaka.

Outdoor activities

Outdoor activities are never scarce in Wanaka. Fly fishing is the most attractive outdoor activity in Wanaka. You will even get training on this kind of fly fishing in rivers and streams. Skiing and boarding are the winter outdoor activities in Wanaka. Snowboarding, mountain biking and horse riding are some of the outdoor activities on the land. There is a wide golf course in Wanaka to attract golf lovers. Scenic fights and sky diving are the air outdoor activities most popular in Wanaka. Helicopter fishing and paragliding are thrilling activities; one could try during their visit to Wanaka. Water, land and air in Wanaka support enough fun and entertainment for tourists.

Attractions

The main attractions of Wanaka are the puzzling world and the Paradiso Cinema. The 3D maze and optical illusions and the leaning tower are the main attractions of the puzzling world. The Paradiso, which is a classic cinema with chairs and coaches have postures of movies on the walls. You could enjoy the taste of beer and wine in the intervals. This is a unique experience, you could not find anywhere out of Wanaka. The Matukituki valley trip and the Mount aspiring National park are other attractions in which tourists are fond of in Wanaka. The Cardrona Alpine Resort and the War birds’ museum are other major tourist spots in Wanaka.

Accommodation

Long term accommodation options are available in Wanaka. Luxury accommodation hotels in Wanaka provide quality accommodation with all modern amenities. Family packages are available in almost all hotels at reasonable prices. Wanaka holiday homes with lake side view on the shores of Wanaka offers a beautiful view of the lake glittering at night. There are specific summer and winter cottages provided for tourists in the particular seasons. Some exclusive cottages in the center of Wanaka provide easy accessibility to the tourist spots of the city. The quiet and comfortable surroundings of the cottages offer a relaxed environment for tourists.

Shopping

Most of the shopping centers of Wanaka are situated in the town center and hence easily accessible for tourists. Some special outdoor equipments and clothing are sold in the stores to help tourists during holidays. The classic shops as well as the street wear stores capture tourists’ attractions in the shopping city of Wanaka. The peculiar art products from the culture of Wanaka are sold in the art galleries and they showcase the special talent and work of the artisans and local craft people. The studios showcase the works of potters and woodworkers of Wanaka. Local and international products are sold in the supermarkets and organic shops of Wanaka. Some exclusive wine shops in Wanaka offer advices on the winery products to be bought from these shops.

Restaurants

The cosmopolitan population of Wanaka aided in the growth of many world class restaurants in the city. This helped in the development of tourism in Wanaka. Typical taste of New Zealand dishes is the main attraction of Wanaka restaurants. When the city is famous for wines, the cafes also sell different works of wines for tourists which are the trademark of the hotels in Wanaka. Fresh house made foods flavored with thyme and white wine are being served in many of the cafes of Wanaka. Fine dinner and lobby bars are part of most of the restaurants of Wanaka. International dishes are also served in the restaurants of Wanaka.

Events and Entertainment

Events and festivals are plenty in Wanaka. The warbirds over Wanaka is the world famous air show conducted in Wanaka. The festival is conducted in the airport of Wanaka and draws large number of tourists from all parts of the world. Wanakafest is another famous entertainment show in Wanaka. The NZ Freeski open competitions also draw visitors to this beautiful city. During the festivals and events, Wanaka will be crowded with tourists, both locals and internationals. Advance booking for hotels and cottages will be done prior to these festivals. Events get updated in seasons and tourists can get tickets for these shows and exhibitions along with their holiday arrangements in Wanaka.
Everything in Wanaka is favorable for tourism development and the locals and the concerned authorities are paying attention to enhance this growth.

Featured Sites: