Lake Wanaka: Our most recommended tours and activities

Lake Wanaka Happy Hour Cruise

1. Lake Wanaka Happy Hour Cruise

Set off on a 1-hour cruise on Lake Wanaka to enjoy crystal-clear waters and beautiful scenery. The perfect end to a great day or the perfect beginning to a great night. Marvel at the scenic beauty and take pictures while cruising to remember this relaxing experience.  As you cruise along, enjoy a local wine, beer, or soft drink with some cheese. Spend a beautiful evening and meet your fellow travelers while cruising down the waterfalls and other areas.

Stevensons Island 2-Hour Cruise and Nature Walk

2. Stevensons Island 2-Hour Cruise and Nature Walk

Embark on a leisurely 40-minute cruise among spectacular mountain scenery to Stevensons Peninsula and then into Stevensons Arm, home to the Mount Burke high country sheep station. Rolling green pastures precede Mount Gold and Mount Burke which rise majestically into the Eastern skyline. Relax in comfort as you cruise to Stevensons Island for a beach landing. Your guide will take you ashore via the front loading ramp for a short hike to the summit of the Island. Stevensons Island is an inspiration for photographers. On return, complete your experience with afternoon tea and another 40-minute scenic cruise back to the Wanaka waterfront.

Wanaka: Water Taxi & Mou Waho Island Tour

3. Wanaka: Water Taxi & Mou Waho Island Tour

Hop aboard a comfortable water taxi and make your way to Mou Waho Island. Along the way, your tour guide will explain the island's unique geology and history. Of the Lake Wanaka’s 5 islands, Mou Waho is the most remote and the most beautiful. Once there, you will have 1.5 hours to yourself to enjoy this special place. Hike 20 minutes to the island’s hidden lake. Created by glacial action thousands of years ago, this secluded lake contains an island itself. This island is known as the “island on a lake, on an island on a lake on an island in the sea.” (Close your eyes and visualize that for a moment). Walk 5 minutes from the hidden lake to reach Tyrwhitt Peak, the highest point on the island. From the top of the peak take in the luscious panorama of lakes and jagged peaks. Witness the diverse bird life of this predator-free nature reserve. See the elegant kereru (wood Pidgeon), the adorable korimako (bellbird), the delightful Tomtit, and the Weka. Wekas are charismatic birds that disappeared from the mainland of New Zealand but were introduced to these islands as a part of a breeding program in 2002. When you spot one, stop and say hello. These birds are particularly charismatic and cheeky characters and are often attracted to human interaction. Relax on the island’s small sheltered beach. Cool off with a swim in the waters of Lake Wanaka before taking the water taxi back to Wanaka.

Wanaka: Jet Boat Ride on Clutha River

4. Wanaka: Jet Boat Ride on Clutha River

Experience the water like never have before on a jet boat adventure in Wanaka. Skim across shallow water, over sand bars, through rapids, and around rocks at speeds in excess of 80 kilometers per hour. Departing from Wanaka’s waterfront, enjoy a short jaunt across the lake taking in stunning snow-capped mountain views, and prepare to enter one of the world’s swiftest-flowing rivers, the Clutha River.  Of course, a jet boat ride wouldn’t be complete without the iconic Hamilton Spin, a high-speed maneuver causing the boat to spin rapidly on the spot. Your expert driver will raise your adrenalin, demonstrating the maneuverability of the jet boat and pushing it to its absolute limits, safely and skillfully navigating you on an unforgettable adventure.

Wanaka: 2-Hour Beginner Waterfall Cable Climb

5. Wanaka: 2-Hour Beginner Waterfall Cable Climb

Enjoy a thrilling 1.5-hour introduction to ‘via ferrata’ or ‘iron road’ climbing. This unique experience uses cable, iron rungs, pegs, bridges, and ladders, allowing you to climb routes that may not have been accessible otherwise.  Your adventure begins at Twin Falls Waterfall, located 20 minutes from Wanaka town. You will meet your guides, grab your helmets and harness and head over to our practive climb for your safety breifing. Once you have mastered the practice route, join an intimate group of no more than 4 people per guide - ensuring your safety throughout the experience. After a short walk up to the cliffs, the real fun begins. On this beginner route, spend approximately 1 hour scaling vertical and horizontal rock climbs, crossing suspension bridges over pools and discovering hidden waterfalls. At the end of this trail, take the opportunity to stop for a small snack and drink, admiring the stunning panoramic views over farmland, mountains, and Lake Wanaka. If you feel like you're climbing journey is over, begin a 15-minute descent back down the mountain to the base of the waterfall.

Wanaka: 4-Hour Intermediate Waterfall Cable Climb

6. Wanaka: 4-Hour Intermediate Waterfall Cable Climb

Enjoy a thrilling 4-hour guided experience at the highest waterfall climb in the world. This unique activity uses cable, iron rungs, pegs, bridges, and ladders, allowing you to climb routes that may not have been accessible otherwise. Meet your guide at Twin Falls Waterfall, after a safety briefing, grab your helmets and harness and prepare for a practice climb over a small rock at the base of the waterfall. Once you have mastered the practice route, join an intimate group of no more than 4 people per guide - ensuring your safety throughout the experience This intermediate route will have you climbing up 350m of vertical cliffs, crossing over blue pools, and braving suspension bridges. Take the opportunity to stop on a bridge next to a huge cascading waterfall for an unforgettable photo. When you reach the summit of the climb, relax at the base of the 60m waterfall for lunch. Enjoy a quick swim or sit back and take in the stunning views over the mountains and farmland surrounding Wanaka. When you’re ready, begin the 45-minute descent down to the starting point.

From Wanaka: Ruby Island 1-Hour Cruise and Photo Walk

7. From Wanaka: Ruby Island 1-Hour Cruise and Photo Walk

Take a relaxing cruise out to Ruby Island and enjoy a guided walk of the island with many photo opportunities. The grade is easy, suitable for children and seniors. Your friendly local kiwi guide will take you ashore on Ruby Island. Discover the intriguing history dating back to the days of prohibition. Often called the jewel of Wanaka, Ruby is small but very photogenic. The eclectic mix of exotic and native plants adds a foreground to the colors of the lake and the mountains behind. After your walk, return to the vessel for the short cruise back to the Wanaka waterfront. Please note that if you want a more extensive cruise into the mountain scenery please choose the Stevensons Is cruise or the Mou Waho Is cruise.

Queenstown: Return Scenic Flight to Mount Cook

8. Queenstown: Return Scenic Flight to Mount Cook

Embark on a breathtaking scenic flight from Queenstown landing at Mount Cook where you can choose how you'd like to spend your day. Start with pickup from selected pickup points in Queenstown. Board the plane at the airfield and enjoy uninterrupted views from your window seat of a fixed-wing aircraft as you fly around the summit ridge of Mount Cook; New Zealand's highest mountain standing at 3,724 meters in height. Marvel at the remarkable Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers on the west coast and the Tasman Glacier within Aoraki Mount Cook National Park; the largest glacier in New Zealand. Fly up the spine of the South Island, enjoying panoramic views of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea on one side and Lake Pukaki, arguably New Zealand’s most beautiful lake, on the other. After landing at Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport on the outskirts of Mount Cook village, you will have up to 5 hours on the ground to explore. Enjoy lunch at The Hermitage Hotel, check out the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre, or walk the Hooker Valley Track. After your time exploring the wonderful surroundings, hop back on the plane for another scenic flight back to Queenstown, with drop-off back at your accommodation.

Wanaka: Self-Guided MTB or e-Bike - Lake Hawea River Trail

9. Wanaka: Self-Guided MTB or e-Bike - Lake Hawea River Trail

Experience the most popular of any bike trip in Wanaka. Start your journey in Wanaka Town center where you will meet the experienced team to get you fitted for your equipment and receive a comprehensive safety briefing. Then, enjoy a leisurely shuttle from downtown Wanaka to the neighboring lakeside town of Hawea. Feel free to grab a coffee from a local cafe before setting out on the Hawea River Track, an easy riverside amble set in mountainous surroundings. Pass by Albert Town, where there are a few places to grab a refreshment, before continuing along the mighty Clutha River towards its source at Lake Wanaka. A picturesque lakeside trail will lead you back to Wanaka township, where ice cream and the famous Wanaka Tree await. After arriving back to Wanaka, extend your ride with a visit to Rippon Vineyard at your leisure. This is an exceptional ride offering great value for money. Please note: This ride requires a min 3 standard MTB passengers or 2 e-bike passengers to proceed, therefore, single bookings will be waitlisted. Children riding with adults on standard MTB’s are allocated non e-bikes unless arranged directly with us prior to the ride. Adults riding e-bikes with children older than 9-yrs and under 13-yrs (over 130cm) will be allocated either 24” or 26” e-bikes. Children older than 13-yrs ride adult bikes and therefore should be booked as an adult. We have a selection of child seat, tag-a-long bikes or bike trailers depending on the child’s age.

Wanaka: Mount Burke 4x4 Explorer and Boat Tour

10. Wanaka: Mount Burke 4x4 Explorer and Boat Tour

Climb aboard a water taxi and cross Lake Wanaka towards the head of Stevenson’s arm. Gaze at the constantly changing vista of steep walls and alpine peaks. Learn about the fascinating history of this area devoid of people. Venture past Stevenson’s Island and disembark at the foot of Mount Burke. Board a 4x4 vehicle with your guide, and climb high above the lake. Take in the expansive panorama of crystal clear water and the rugged summits of Mount Aspiring National Park. Breathe in the quiet solitude of Wanaka. Hear stories of the early settlers who sought farmland, gold, and a better life in New Zealand. Enjoy a gourmet open-air picnic. Choose between a morning tea menu of fruit and muffins with tea and coffee, or an afternoon menu of fruit, cheese and crackers and local wine (red, white, or rose). Of course, you can choose to have wine in the morning, coffee in the afternoon, or to enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage. The choice is yours.

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Things to do in
Lake Wanaka

Lake Wanaka
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What people are saying about Lake Wanaka

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 222 reviews

Took the water taxi from wanaka Marina, cruised for about 40-50 minutes with the gentlemen giving us a great talk about the area, stopping at a few places to tell us the history. Got to Mou Waho island and walked up to the lake, it was steep and took us 30-40 minutes. Got to lake and swam for 30 minutes then back to boat. Cruise home was about 30-40 minutes. It was amazing, book it. We are keen to do it again.

The happy hour wine cruise was great value. We enjoyed a glass of wine and cheese platter sitting enjoying the amazing scenery - were lucky with the weather with a clear sky. We were able to wander around capturing some wonderful photos. The staff were cheerful and friendly. Thank you for a wonderful evening. Booking was a very easy process.

A really enjoyable ride from Lake Hawea to Wanaka with the family. We didn’t use ebikes and some parts were a bit tricky, would definitely recommend ebikes if not fit or experienced riders. The stop at the patisserie was really nice.

Really fantastic. They over delivered on everything! We would recommend this.

Friendly staff, relaxing journey, excellent views and tasty cheese