Don’t Miss

Lake Wanaka with wings on

Lake Wanaka is an all-year holiday destination with a passion for aviation.

• See a collection of flyable World War II fighter aircraft at the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum
• Flight seeing operators are always keen to show off their playground over Milford Sound, Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring. Landings are available in remote parts of Mount Aspiring National Park for hikers, climbers and hunters
• Leap into the landscape with a tandem skydive over some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere in New Zealand
• 'Warbirds Over Wanaka' is held every two years - the next one is in 2008. It's classed as one of the best warbird shows in the world and features historic aircraft, RNZAF jets, aerobatic formations and helicopters

A taste of Wanaka wilderness

The lake, mountains and ski fields around Wanaka provide endless scope for fun and adventure.

• 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

Quirky things to see

The people of Lake Wanaka are interesting and imaginative, as you can tell from these special attractions.

• At Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World you'll get lost in a world of jigsaw puzzles and a maze. Try the hologram room and hall of following faces; take a seat in the Roman toilets
• Things are always cheerful at the Wanaka Beerworks, a boutique brewery located next to Wanaka airport
• Eclectic describes the collection at Wanaka Transport Museum - there's everything from cars to fire engines, bicycles to army tanks, model cars to aircraft
• Take aim at Have A Shot - the place to try your hand at a range of shooting activities. While you're there, show off your swing at the mini golf course