That Wānaka Tree in Lake Wanaka is the kind of thing you hate to love. It was largely overlooked for at least 90 years, having sprouted from a willow fence post. Then Dennis Radermacher took a photo of the tree in 2014 and won an award.
From there, it has progressed to being one of the most photographed trees in the world, with its own social media presence. Sadly, it was vandalised a few years ago, with a prominent lower branch partially hacked off, but fortunately, the tree is still going strong.
Each season brings a unique charm to the tree. In Spring, the willow sprouts bright green leaves; in Autumn, they transform into a stunning shade of gold. Even in winter, when the conditions are more challenging, the tree is worth capturing. Be aware that the lake level varies, and sometimes the tree is not in the water.
Finding the tree is easy. Walk west along the Lakefront from Wānaka town centre until you see it at the start of the Waterfall Creek Track. The walk is about 15 minutes and a section of Te Araroa. There is also a lakeside car park close to the tree off Mt Aspiring Road. When you have finished with your pics, walk up the beach behind you to visit the redwood and other big trees in Wānaka Station Park.
Some of our top tips are getting up before sunrise and planning your angle to get the mountains in the background or golden poplars in autumn. Long exposures and tripods are helpful, although the best results are always a perfect calm day. Here are a few of our attempts over many years.
