Featured Activities
For a nature immersion look no further than The Sauna Wānaka is located at the Outlet River track just 5 minutes out of Wānaka. They offer both guided and independent group sessions, with the option to hire out the sauna privately if you want to sauna with your whānau or friends.
For a more urban vibe, Silver Sixpence in Three Parks offers the full package – massage, spa treatments, and an infrared sauna big enough for you and a friend. You can even rinse off afterward with their deluxe rain-head showers.
Seeking something a little more secluded? Take the scenic route to The Camp in Lake Hāwea. There, you’ll stumble upon The Secret Sauna, an oasis designed for you to indulge in a lakefront wood-fired barrel sauna with vistas that are to die for. It’s a local’s favourite.
Get the full mind-body reset by staying a night (or three) in a geo-dome at Crosshill Lodge & Domes for a sleep under the stars.
Melt your muscles at Sanctuary Day Spa, with a relaxing massage, facial, or body treatment. Whether you need a recovery day for those ski legs, want to get your skin glowing, or just kick back and relax, they’ve got you covered. Trust us, you’ll leave feeling like a brand new you.
If you are looking for a full-body reset, you must book in for a treatment at Active Massage Wānaka – it’s known as ‘the locals’ sanctuary and the traveller’s oasis’ for good reason. Chances are high that if you hit either of these options the whānau will be filled with envy by the time their spent souls return down from the mountain.
Silver Sixpence makes the list once again as a must-do if you are looking for a day of pampering and bespoke beauty treatments.
And if you are an au naturel kind of human, then visiting the team at Ilu Hub for a natural and organic treatment is a great choice. They tailor their treatments to you and have an amazing range of natural quality skincare products to purchase after your treatment.
Want to move your body? Wānaka is home to some seriously good yoga and pilates studios, offering everything from muscle burning workouts to mind-calming yin.
For the reformer pilates fans, we have Reform Fitness, offering a dynamic, full body workout with just the right level of intensity while being easy on the joints.
If you are nursing an injury and require a rehabilitative method, then Central Lakes Physio and Pilates is perfect. They offer a tailored and physiotherapy-lead approach to movement.
Ready to get your sweat on and rinse out the toxins? Then Hot Yoga Fusion is your best bet. The teachers will be sure to mindfully challenge you. They also offer a few hot yin yoga sessions if you are looking for a deep stretch and a slower paced practice.
And for those gym bunnies in need of a solid workout, NRG and The Fit Collective offer a range of group workouts for every kind of fix.
Looking for a family day off the slopes but still wanting some adventure? LandEscape Wānaka has designed the ultimate activity for you. Explore the lakeside trails and river tracks by e-bike out at Lake Hāwea and finish soaking up nature in a wood-fired hot tub.
Finish with some kai (food) at Lake Hāwea Hotel or Hāwea Store & Kitchen. This option requires only a little bit of mahi (effort/work) for a lot of rewards, which is just the way we like it!
And if you’re all bike and no bath, check out our complete list of rental shops, bike guides, and tours, and download our Wānaka Tracks App for a guide on where to go.
Wānaka is also home to a vibrant arts and film community. Find galleries of contemporary art and traditional pieces by both local and international artists at Gallery Thirty Three, Wānaka Fine Art Gallery, and The Picture Lounge.
If all you really want is to put your feet up and indulge in a chick-flick or action-adventure, Wānaka is blessed with not just one, but two amazing cinemas. Ruby Cinemas are known for their elaborate cocktail menu, whilst Cinema Paradiso is famous for their half-time homemade cookies. The hardest part of the day will be choosing which cinema to go for.
For even more snow-free activities for the whole family, check out our list of indoor fun and culinary options to suit every type of explorer.
