Wanaka

In Wanaka you can saddle up a horse and embrace the great outdoors. If that sounds too energetic, slide into a café and absorb the lakeside scenery.

The lakeside town of Wanaka can provide you with an appealing mix of fine living, family fun and adventure. It has a high concentration of cafes, restaurants and interesting shops. It’s obvious that the Wanaka district is nicely obsessed with aviation.

At the airport you can arrange to go flightseeing or sky diving, and every two years the town hosts a spectacular airshow, Warbirds over Wanaka, revolving around classic miliary aircraft. Classed as one of the best warbird shows in the world it features historic aircraft, RNZAF jets, aerobatic formations and helicopters.

Winter is a busy time in Wanaka, as snow sports fans flock here for the excellent skiing and snowboarding. Local snow venues include Treble Cone, Cardrona, Snow Park and Snow Farm. Wanaka is also a handy base if you want to hike or climb in Mount Aspiring National Park.

Consider these 'Must Do' activities whilst in Wanaka:

• Get a guide to take you fly-fishing on the lakes, rivers and streams in the area. The region offers superb brown and rainbow trout fishing.

•  Lake Wanaka is a playground for sailors, water-skiers, kayakers and wind surfers.

• Go white water sledging or canyoning on the rivers - fast and furious fun for the daring.

• Saddle up with a horse trek and venture into the wilderness - no previous riding experience required.

• Walking in the mountains could be as simple as a one hour stroll or as challenging as a four day hike.

• Go mountaineering with a professional mountain guide.

• Nordic skiing is the thing to do at Waiorau Snow Farm.

•  The ski fields of Cardrona and Treble Cone are brilliantly equipped and offer a mix of terrain for skiers and snowboards of all abilities.

• See a collection of flyable World War II fighter aircraft at the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum.

• Leap into the landscape with a tandem skydive over some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere in New Zealand.

Functional facts: Approx. population 5040, i-SITE Visitor Centre, wide range of accommodation.