Queenstown’s Quieter Neighbour
Wanaka sits on the shore of Lake Wanaka beneath the peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park — approximately 70 kilometres from Queenstown (1 hour by road via the Crown Range, New Zealand’s highest sealed road). Wanaka offers many of the same landscape and adventure elements as Queenstown (lake, mountains, skiing, hiking, jet boating) with a smaller town, fewer tourists, and a more relaxed atmosphere.
The Wanaka Tree — a lone willow growing in the lake’s shallows, one of the most photographed trees in New Zealand. Roy’s Peak — a 16-kilometre return hike (5–6 hours) to a summit viewpoint with one of the most dramatic panoramas in the South Island (the lake, the mountains, and the braided river valley below). Puzzling World — a complex of optical illusion rooms and a 3D maze.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wanaka worth visiting if I am already going to Queenstown?
Yes — the atmosphere is different (quieter, less commercial) and the Roy’s Peak hike is one of the finest day walks in the South Island. The Crown Range drive between the two towns is scenic.