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Featured Activities
Skiing & Snowboarding
Outdoor Adventures
Discover Seasons

The season of sun, adventure, and long golden evenings has arrived.

Cool off in the lake, wander alpine trails, or savour the flavours of the town. Raumati (summer) in Wānaka is about celebrating local vibes; Rhythm & Alps brings world-class acts to the Cardrona Valley, vibrant food and wine festivals, and the hum of local farmers’ markets. Whether you’re soaking up the sun by the lake, uncovering hidden trails, or diving into local culture, nothing beats a summer’s day in Wānaka. 

Two girls swimming in Lake Hawea in Summer, with mountains and blue sky in the distance.
Summer in Wānaka
Two girls hiking in up the Saywer Burn track, with lake Hawea in the background. A great place to visit in New Zealand
Walking and Hiking
Mountain biker on trail at Bike Glendhu, overlooking Lake Wanaka and mountains at golden hour, New Zealand adventure tourism
Biking and Cycling
Mexican tacos and a cocktail at Paloma - one of the Wanaka restaurants
Eat and Drink
A paddler sits in a kayak with mountains in the background on Lake Wanaka in New Zealand.
Explore the Lake
two people sitting in the Secret Sauna with Lake Hawea in the distance through the window.
Health and Wellbeing
Dancing at Wanaka Festival of Colour
Arts and Culture
Bike season is ON. Here’s your guide to our trails
Bike season is ON. Here’s your guide to our trails
Looking to hit the trails while you’re in Wānaka? This place offers some of the best mountain biking in the country, with stunning views and trails to suit everyone from first-timers to seasoned pros. Read on for our trail guide.
Read our trail guide
What’s On in Wānaka

Wānaka is a year-round host to epic events. Be the first to find out what’s on in town!

POV of a person on stage looking out at the crowd at Rhythm & Alps Festival in Wanaka. People cheering and mountains in the distance, awash with golden light.
Rhythm & Alps
Public water barrel for native tree planting conservation at Lake Wānaka walking track, in Otago New Zealand. Blue water storage unit surrounded by native flax plants and natural vegetation on hiking trail.
Volunteer: Walk and Water
New Zealand wine tasting experience: Guests enjoy premium vineyard tastings under market umbrellas, with rolling hills of Cromwell, NZ wine country as backdrop. Server attends outdoor tables where visitors sample wines on sunny terrace.
Roam Central Wine Festival
a line of swimmers in wetsuits running into Lake Wānaka as they start the annual Challenge Wānaka triathlon. Mt Roy in the distance.
Challenge Wānaka 2025
A young girl leading a brown miniature pony while holding a red ribbon for winning a prize. The Wanaka A&P Show grounds in the distance.
Wānaka A&P Show
Wānaka’s food scene
Wānaka’s food scene
Wānaka is home to a dining scene that’s as relaxed as it is refined. From sunrise coffee at Kai Whakapai to authentic Mexican fare at Paloma, take your pick of spots to dine this summer.

Tip: Book ahead for the best outdoor tables – they’re a hot commodity on summer evenings.
Explore
Guides & Itineraries

live, eat, shop, and play just like the locals do. We’ve made it easy with this series of guides and insider tips.

Person doing a handstand in the lake
How to best enjoy the lake
tent pitched at the top of a mountain
Where can I camp?
Two mountain bikers sit at the top of Bike Glendhu in Wanaka
Top 6 Mountain Bike Rides
Albert Town road in Wanaka, New Zealand
Getting to Wānaka
Wanaka-lakefront-wharf-pontoon-DeeGerlach 02
Things you can only do in Wānaka
Ready for an Epic Road Trip?
Ready for an Epic Road Trip?
School’s out, your out-of-office is on, and warmer weather is here.
So, why not turn your journey to Wānaka into the ultimate South Island road trip? Whether you’re kicking your trip off in Tāhuna Queenstown, Ōtepoti Dunedin, or Waihōpai Invercargill, keep reading for the inside scoop on must-sees and local favourites on your way here.
Find out more
Wānaka’s Top Indoor Activities
Wānaka’s Top Indoor Activities
While our outdoor scenery steals the show, our indoor attractions are just as exciting. Read on for a curated list of Wānaka’s best indoor activities – perfect for any weather or mood.
Find out more
All you need to know about Love Wānaka
All you need to know about Love Wānaka
We’re all thinking more consciously about how and where we travel. How we might make our trips more sustainable and regenerative? How can we prevent further damage to the environment? How can we look after the places we love so much? It’s never been more important than now.
Find out more

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