Top 5 things to do in Wānaka like a local
Written by consultant Denise Alexander. The New Zealand Touring Co and it’s parent company have been planning New Zealand holidays for over 30 years.
Last updated: May 2026
Overview
If you’re looking for things to do in Wānaka on your South Island self-drive holiday, here’s the truth, it’s the kind of place you plan to stop for a night… and end up staying for two (or three!). We include Wānaka as a one or two-night stop on many of our touring itineraries, and our clients consistently tell us it was a highlight of their trip.
Wānaka is a resort town that sits beside Lake Wānaka (New Zealand’s fourth-largest lake), surrounded by stunning mountains. Known for adventures, outstanding food, and a relaxed pace that works just as well in summer as it does in winter without the big crowds you’ll find in Queenstown.
Our Local Wanaka Guide Covers
- Top 5 things to do in Wānaka (local-style)
- Where to eat and drink (our repeat favourites)
- A simple 2-day Wānaka itinerary
- Getting to Wānaka (drive times for self-drive travellers)
- Local tips + FAQs
The classics you’ll hear about (and yes, they’re worth it)
You’ll hear about #ThatWanakaTree, Roys Peak, the ski fields at Treble Cone and Cardrona. They’re popular for a reason and we absolutely recommend experiencing them.
But if you want to go beyond the bucket list and experience Wānaka the way we do when we’re there ourselves, these are the five picks we keep coming back to.
1. Swap Roys Peak for the Rob Roy Glacier Track (Mount Aspiring National Park)
If you want a hike that feels big and rewarding without the Roys Peak crowds and the four-wheel-drive slog head to the Rob Roy Glacier Track in Mount Aspiring National Park.
- Distance: 10 km return
- Time: allow 4–5 hours return at a relaxed pace (especially with photo stops and a picnic)
- Best season: November through April for the full track. In winter and shoulder season (May–November) ,DOC recommends finishing at the lower lookout due to avalanche risk on the upper section.
- Why it’s our pick: swing bridges, native beech forest, valley scenery, waterfalls, and a glacier viewpoint that genuinely delivers. It’s one of the best day hikes in Mount Aspiring National Park and it’s the track we recommend to our clients over and over again.
The last time I walked Rob Roy in late March, we got up early to start the hike and we had the glacier lookout almost to ourselves. The scenery is out of this world.
Important safety note: You will need to drive a gravel road with fords to access the start of the track. Always check the DOC alerts page for current conditions before heading out especially in shoulder season.
Post-hike reward: Make sure you treat yourself after all that walking and head straight back to town for an ice cream at Patagonia Chocolates and enjoy Lake Wanaka views.
2. Get Out on the Lake (Aim for Ruby Island)
Wānaka is at its best when you’re on (or in) the water.
Another local favourite is to hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and paddle out to Ruby Island. It’s an easy half-day adventure that still feels like you’ve properly explored the lake. Paddle Wānaka is one of the operators we recommend for hire and guided Ruby Island trips.
Best season: December through March for the warmest water and longest days, but the paddling is beautiful in autumn too, the lake is often glassy calm and the surrounding trees colours turn gold.
Local tip: bring your togs (swimwear) even if it’s “not a swim day.” It usually becomes one.
3. Walk or Bike the Outlet Track to Albert Town (The Crystal-Clear River Stroll)
This is one of the most underrated scenic areas in Wānaka and it’s completely easy.
The Outlet Track follows the Clutha River / Mata-Au from the lake outlet toward Albert Town, and you’ll be walking (or cycling) beside that crystal-clear, blue-green river the entire way.
- Distance: 3 km one way
- Time: about 45 minutes one way on foot
- Terrain: flat, scenic, and perfect for a gentle walk or a cruisy bike ride suitable for all ages and fitness levels
Local tip: it’s a popular track, especially on weekends. Get out early if you can, you’ll have better light for photos, too.
Treat stop: finish (or reward yourself mid-mission) with something from Pembroke Patisserie in Albert Town. Their pastries are worth the detour even if you skip the walk or bike ride.
4. Play a Round at the Wānaka Golf Club (Views for Days!)
If you play golf, even casually, the Wānaka Golf Club is one of those courses where you spend more time looking at the scenery than your scorecard. Mountains on every side, the lake catching the light, and that crisp Central Otago air.
It’s a brilliant rest-day activity between hikes and lake time especially if you want something scenic without another big climb. There are awesome golf courses which we have included in our New Zealand golf touring itineraries for clients who want to mix adventure with a round or two.
Best season: the course is open year-round, but autumn (March–May) is particularly special; the light is golden and there’s less crowds.
5. Do the “Island on a Lake on an Island” Trip: Mou Waho (With a Picnic… and Weka!)
If you want a Wānaka story that sounds made up but isn’t, Mou Waho is it: a Department of Conservation wildlife sanctuary on Lake Wānaka, with a small lake, Arethusa Pool sitting on top. That makes it a lake on an island, on a lake, on an island.
Mou Waho is best visited via a guided boat cruise and island walk; it’s not something you casually DIY. We book our clients with Eco Wānaka Adventures for this trip, and the guides really bring the conservation story to life.
Bring a packed lunch if you like, but keep it guarded. Mou Waho is home to weka, the curious, fearless native birds and they will absolutely help themselves to your sandwich if you look away for even a moment.
Where To Eat & Drink In Wānaka (Local Repeat Favourites)
These aren’t just recommendations we’ve read about, they’re the Wānaka restaurants and cafés our team genuinely goes back to, and the spots we suggest to our clients.
Kai Whakapai (Lakefront, Excellent Feed)
Kai Whakapai is a go-to on the lakefront for a solid meal and an easy, welcoming atmosphere. Good for brunch or lunch, and perfectly positioned for a post-lake-stroll refuel.
Big Fig (Slow-Cooked, Hearty, Delicious Food)
Big Fig is a Wānaka favourite, slow-cooked meats, generous plant-based dishes, and salads loaded with flavour. It’s exactly the kind of food you want after a day outdoors hearty without being heavy.
Patagonia Chocolates (Ice Cream, Always)
Patagonia Chocolates offer handcrafted treats, rich hot chocolate, and the kind of ice cream that becomes a non-negotiable tradition every time you visit. We recommend going after the Rob Roy Track , you’ll have earned it.
Pembroke Patisserie (Albert Town)
If you’re walking or cycling the Outlet Track (or even if you’re not), detour to Pembroke Patisserie in Albert Town for pastries and baked goods. It’s one of those places where everything in the cabinet looks too good to choose just one so don’t.
Wanaka Brew Bar (Best View in Town for a Beverage)
Enjoy local beer and wine at Wanaka Brew Bar while you sit out on the balcony and take in the beautiful mountain and lake views. Check out a night where there is live music, you won’t be disappointed!
Getting To Wānaka (For Self-Drive Travellers)
Wānaka is an easy self-drive destination, well connected to the key South Island stops:
- From Queenstown: approximately 1 hour 15 minutes via the Crown Range Road (a stunning alpine drive and a highlight in itself) or around 1 hour 30 minutes via Cromwell.
- From Christchurch: approximately 4.5–5 hours via the Lindis Pass, a beautiful drive through high-country tussock land.
- From Franz Josef / the West Coast: approximately 4–4.5 hours via Haast Pass, through Mount Aspiring National Park.
A Simple 2-Day “Local-Style” Wānaka Itinerary
Day 1: Lake Day & Easy Scenic Mission
- Morning: Enjoy coffee in town, then a lakefront stroll (yes, go see That Wānaka Tree it’s earned its fame!)
- Late morning: Kayak or SUP out to Ruby Island
- Lunch: Kai Whakapai on the lakefront
- Afternoon: Swim, read a book, soak up the lakeside downtime. This is the bit that makes Wānaka feel different from Queenstown.
- Dinner: Big Fig
- Dessert: Patagonia Chocolates (optional in theory, inevitable in practice)
Day 2: Big Nature Payoff
- Early start: Drive into the Matukituki Valley toward Mount Aspiring National Park
- Hike: Rob Roy Glacier Track, pack a picnic and take your time
- Back in town: Patagonia ice cream (yes, again)
- Sunset option: gentle wander along the lake or a relaxed drink somewhere with a view
Want a longer stay?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wānaka worth adding to a South Island self-drive itinerary? Absolutely. It’s a perfect one – two-night stop that balances adventure and downtime without feeling rushed.
What’s a good alternative to Roys Peak in Wānaka? The Rob Roy Glacier Track in Mount Aspiring National Park is our top pick: glacier views, stunning scenery the entire way, swing bridges through native bush, and a much more “local favourite” feel than the Roys Peak crowds.
What is the Outlet Track in Wānaka? The Outlet Track is a flat, easy walk (or bike ride) that follows the Clutha River / Mata-Au from the Lake Wānaka outlet toward Albert Town about 3 km one way. It’s famous for the vivid, crystal-clear blue-green colour of the river, and it’s one of Wānaka’s most underrated scenic experiences.
How do I visit Mou Waho Island? Mou Waho is a conservation island on Lake Wānaka, best visited via a guided boat cruise and island walk. We recommend booking with a local operator like Eco Wānaka Adventures If you bring a picnic, keep an eye out for curious weka, they’re bold, and they’re fast.
How far is Wānaka from Queenstown? Wānaka is about 1 hour 15 minutes from Queenstown by car via the Crown Range Road, or approximately 1.5 hours via Cromwell. Both routes are scenic, and many of our clients visit both towns as part of a South Island self-drive tour.
Let Us Plan Your Wānaka Stop
We’re The New Zealand Touring Co, a team of local travel experts who build personalised self-drive and touring itineraries across New Zealand. Wānaka is one of our favourite spots to include, and we know it well.
Whether you want two nights of lakeside relaxation, a hiking-focused stay, or a mix of everything, we’ll build it into an itinerary that fits your trip perfectly with handpicked accommodation, our honest restaurant picks, and all the details sorted.
Talk to our team about your South Island self-drive today
