With the Southern Alps and Mt Aspiring National Park on its doorstep, Wanaka is an awe-inspiring natural playground.

Wānaka
Skydiving above Lake Wanaka, Wānaka

Wanaka has a reputation as one of the world’s best adventure towns with access to the stunning Southern Alps and Mt Aspiring National Park right on its doorstep.

If you’re looking for a rush, then activities like skydiving(opens in new window), canyoning, horse riding, mountaineering, or climbing(opens in new window) the world’s highest waterfall via ferrata will give you a kick of adrenaline, or if prefer to take things at a more leisurely pace then there are hundreds of kilometres of hiking & biking trails to explore, or crystal clear lakes and rivers to paddle.

To make the most of your time in Wanaka, try one of the great adventure combos on offer. A fly-walk-jetboat trip will take you into the wilds of Mt Aspiring National Park, your can descend for hours by bike from NZ’s highest heli-biking, or kayak the rapids of the Clutha River and then jet-boat back.

From mid June to early October, Wanaka transforms into a winter playground for skiers and snowboarders with four diverse ski areas to choose from as well as epic heli-skiing terrain.

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