Our second roundup all the best free, outdoor activities when you’re visiting Wanaka.
Wanaka lakefront
Wanaka’s lakefront beach runs from the small marina to the famous Wanaka Tree. It’s a bit of a photographer’s paradise, with views of the lake, mountains and foreshore landscape, which is planted with mature willows and populars. It only takes about 15 minutes to walk from town to That Tree, then you can continue to Wanaka Station Park, the site of a homestead with well-established redwoods and other exotic pines planted by early European settlers.
From here you can hike to Glendhu Bay, or venture in the opposite direction toward Eely Point, Beacon Point and the Lake Outlet Track.
Rob Roy Glacier
The walk to Rob Roy Glacier is personally our favourite day hike in New Zealand. The glacier itself is stunning, complete with waterfalls, falling ice, and keas (who you shouldn’t feed, as insistent as they might be!) A mountain stream keeps you company throughout most of the walk.
To get there, walk along the Mt Aspiring Track until you reach the swing bridge that crosses the Matukituki River. Keep following the track up hill for about two hours, until you reach the cliff front terminus of the glacier.
Grand View Track
Grand View Track is a bit like the little brother of the Mt Roy and Isthmus Peak Tracks – it has the steep climb and excellent views of Lake Hawea, Wanaka, and the mountains, but without the crowds. A decent two and a half hour climb to the primary viewpoint, you can also continue climbing for another hour to reach Grand View Peak, or take a tougher track (part of the Te Araroa Trail) that starts on the east side of the lake.
It’s a little out of the way, with a drive through Hawea and a couple of minor twists on side roads to get to the car park.
Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain
Just off Mt Aspiring Rd, the various Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain walks display views of the Diamond Lake, Lake Wanaka, and surrounding mountains.
It’s only about 20 minutes to Diamond Lake, and then you can choose to go to the Diamond Lake Lookout (making the walk an hour return), Lake Wanaka Lookout where you can see the lake and its islands (closer to two hours return), or take the Rocky Mountain Summit Track, which is about three hours. Parts of the track can be slippery and icy (when its colder), so be careful.
Lake Hawea Rd
Another excellent day trip is via Lake Hawea Rd, the main highway that follows the west side of Lake Hawea. Most would drive this route to get to Haast on the West Coast, but you can also drive it as a day trip, either ending at Makarora or continuing to Haast Pass and the Blue Pools Track. Around this are are some of the prettiest places to camp in New Zealand, although there will be sandflies.
Wanaka creek walk
If you feel like a short, peaceful wander around town, we recommend following Wanaka’s creeks. Water drains off the range to the west of Wanaka, with multiple creeks connecting between Stone St and Sapphire Spring Rise. The resulting stream then runs below the golf course and out into the lake by the intersection of Ardmore St and Lakeside Rd. There was once a trout hatchery in this area, but it’s now being turned into a walkway around the converging mountain creeks. You can follow the stream to some degree as it meanders through public and private properties to the lake outlet.
