Wanaka has shot onto the world tourism scene for its seriously Instagrammable views. Of course that Wanaka tree and Roys Peak are amazing, but you can still escape the crowds with hundreds of other incredible views that have a fraction of the visitors. Add in some great coffee shops and a picturesque town, and you’ll find it’s hard place to leave.
Quick Summary
Top Tip: Try some of the lesser known hikes for epic views without the crowds.
When to go: If you are looking to hike, then you may want to avoid the winter (many trails have avalanche risks although conditions vary year on year). However, the summer can be insanely busy! We’d recommend the spring or autumn.
Peak Season: December - April
Off Season: May, October
Best of Wanaka
Turquoise waterfalls, hidden gorges, sublime picnic spots, a hot tub under the stars and so much more is what you’ll find in our detailed guide to the best things to do in Wanaka.
The Mount Iron Track is the perfect sunrise or sunset walk in Wanaka. The view from the top is spectacular and the climb is not too long or steep, which is perfect if you’re walking part of the way in the dark. We’re sharing everything you need to know about the walk, including difficulty and track conditions.
The Blue Pools are utterly spectacular and worthy of their increasing fame and popularity. However, there are a lot of things worth knowing beforehand in order to make sure you have the perfect trip. We’re sharing how weather conditions and time of day affect the water colour, photography tips, how to beat the crowds, and what it’s really like to swim in the glacial water!
If you’ve been planning a hike in Wanaka chances are you’ve been looking at Roys Peak and Isthmus Peak. Having done both, we’re comparing which is the best based on a number of factors, including scenery, photography ops, difficulty, crowds and more to help you choose which hike is the one for you.
Isthmus Peak offers some of the most spectacular views in all of Wanaka. And not just from the peak, but along much of the trail. It’s a very steep hike, but your efforts are greatly rewarded. We’re sharing everything you need to know about the walk including difficulty and what it’s like to walk down in the dark!
The Rocky Mountain Summit Track has outstanding views with almost every step. It’s also far less steep and challenging than some of the better known walks in Wanaka. If you’re looking for mountain and lake panoramas that can be walked in just 3 hours, then this is the track for you. We’re sharing everything you need to know including track conditions and which section to avoid!
There's not enough superlatives to describe the Rob Roy Glacier Track, especially on a stunning sunny day like we had. If you're in Wanaka and are looking for a trail that is spectacular, but achievable, then head here.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about exactly what the trail up to Roys Peak is like, including whether it’s worth pushing on past that famous viewpoint to the summit. We’re also sharing photography tips to help you get that classic shot.