Christchurch - Fox Glacier - Christchurch

Day 4: Wanaka to Mt Cook Village

On this page: Travel time:   Km/Miles Wanaka - Omarama 1.25 hrs  111/69 Omarama - Twizel 0.5 hr  30/19 Twizel - Mt Cook Village 0.75 hr  64/40   Totals for Day 2.5 hrs  205/128

Wanaka - Omarama - Twizel - Mt Cook Village

The lakeside resort 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. You’ll also find some unique attractions, like the 3D maze and the ‘warbird’ air show, which is held every two years.

Just beyond the Wanaka airport you’ll turn onto State Highway 8A, which takes you to Tarras – an excellent place to shop for merino wool products. The beautiful Lindis Valley leads you into the even more beautiful Lindis Pass. In winter the mountains are dusted with snow, in summer the landscape is painted in shades of gold.

You’ll know you’re in Omarama when you see the giant merino sheep statue. This area’s unique geography has made it a magnet for gliding enthusiasts. The northwesterly wind blows steadily to form the famous Northwest Arch, a thermal that can take the glider pilots to 10,000 metres. Scenic soaring can be arranged.

Scenic Highlights

Kidds Bush
A splendid place for a picnic or a couple of days camping, Kidds Bush lets you enjoy the incredible beauty of Lake Hawea.

Lakes Wanaka and Hawea
Framed by mountains, these glacier-carved lakes can be enjoyed from the water or by hiking shoreline tracks.

The Crown Range
There are two ways to drive between Queenstown and Wanaka, and this one is the most memorable. It's the highest main road in New Zealand.

Rob Roy Glacier Track
Walk into the alpine zone beneath Mount Rob Roy. This half day on-foot adventure brings you face to face with active glaciers.

Clutha River walk
The immense Clutha River handles the outflow from Lake Wanaka. Walk the riverbank to Albert Town and enjoy the peaceful scenery.

Cardrona Valley
The road along Cardrona Valley can take you to all kinds of active adventures or a great meal at the historic hotel.

Mount Iron and Mount Roy
Mount Iron and Mount Roy are two hiking challenges that will reward you with astounding views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountain ranges.

Lindis Pass
This alpine area of tall, tussock-covered mountains is beautiful in every season, but with a dusting of snow it's particularly enchanting.

Activities

Christchurch - Canterbury
Scenic Flights (5), Skiing (7), Walking/Trekking (17)

Lake Wanaka
Fishing – Fresh Water (8), Walking/Trekking (5)

Tour and Sightseeing

Christchurch - Canterbury
Scenic Flights (1), Skiing (2), Walking/Trekking (16)

Tour and Sightseeing

Lake Wanaka
Boat Cruises (1), Fishing – Fresh Water (2), Walking/Trekking (2)

Wanaka - Omarama - Twizel - Mt Cook Village

Omarama’s unique geography has made it a magnet for gliding enthusiasts. The northwesterly wind blows steadily to form the famous Northwest Arch, a thermal that can take the glider pilots to 10,000 metres. Scenic soaring can be arranged, golf and fishing are other entertainment options.

The easy drive to Twizel takes you through picturesque sheep farming country fringed with mountain ranges. You could pause to cast a line into the Ahuriri River – famous for sizeable rainbow and brown trout. You can also detour to the fascinating Paritea cliffs, which are constantly being exposed by the active Osler fault line.

Twizel is a well-placed base for mountain climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, horse trekking and hiking. It’s also a place to spy on the rarest wading bird in the world – the Black Stilt. If you don’t have the time to catch your own salmon, the local salmon farm sells it – fresh or smoked.

Activities

Christchurch - Canterbury
Climbing (2), Cycling/Mountain Biking (5), Farms (10), Fishing – Fresh Water (10), Glider Planes (1), Paragliding and Hang gliding (2)

Tour and Sightseeing

Christchurch - Canterbury
Cycling/Mountain Biking (12), Farms (2), Fishing – Fresh Water (2)

Wanaka - Omarama - Twizel - Mt Cook Village

Twizel is a well-placed base for mountain climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, horse trekking and hiking. It’s also a place to spy on the rarest wading bird in the world – the Black Stilt. If you don’t have the time to catch your own salmon, the local salmon farm sells it – fresh or smoked.

The road to Mt Cook hugs the edge of Lake Pukaki. The exquisite opaque turquoise colour of this lake and others in the area is caused by fine, glacier-ground rock particles held in suspension. The landscape is a mixture of high country tussock, farmland and snow-capped mountains.

The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park includes the highest peak in Australasia (Mt Cook - 3755m). The region attracts mountain climbers, hikers and scenery fanatics. Heli skiing, heli hiking and aerial sightseeing provide visitors with amazing memories. A variety of walking trails begin in or near Mount Cook Village – most take only a couple of hours. In the bar of the local hotel, huge windows provide a perfect view of Mt Cook.

Scenic Highlights

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's tallest peak, is the centre of attention in this spectacular alpine park.

Activities

Christchurch - Canterbury
Boat Cruises (4), Climbing (2), Fishing – Fresh Water (10), Heliskiing (4), Horse Treks (8)

Tour and Sightseeing

Christchurch - Canterbury
Boat Cruises (1), Fishing – Fresh Water (2)