Great Weekend Destinations: Wanaka

Last month we explored the Westcoast Region and are now travelling south to Wanaka. Driving from Greymouth to Wanaka will take you more than 7 hours however if you have been spending time on the West Coast and are looking to move south you are more likely to be located in Haast and the drive should take no more than 2 hours.

Wanaka is a great base to either explore the bottom of the South Island or visit for a weekend. Its a very popular travel destination and therefore can be busy at times. To avoid disappointment ensure you book the campsite early during peak travel times and plan well ahead.

"A lively town buzzing with a carefree spirit, Wanaka’s picture-perfect location and easy access to the outdoors makes it the ultimate base for your holiday."

"Wanaka has the buzz of a genuine alpine town and is the ultimate hub for outdoor adventures, and with Mount Aspiring National Park located close by it’s the perfect destination for exploring the Southern Alps.

For adventure seekers, you can go skydiving, canyoning, climbing or mountaineering and there are hundreds of kilometres of tracks for hiking or biking. The crystal-clear water of the lakes and rivers are ideal for kayaking, fishing, lake cruises and jet-boating, or to get an aerial perspective of the region take a scenic flight and you can even land on a glacier. In winter, Wānaka is a vibrant centre for skiers and snowboarders with four ski areas just a short drive from the town.

Wānaka has a reputation for great food and wine, with a wide variety of lakefront bars, cafes and restaurants serving exceptional local cuisine, plus a wealth of artisans producing award-winning wine, beer, spirits, bread, and ice cream. Be sure to visit the local farmer's market to try some of the region’s best produce.

Or plan your visit around one of Wānaka’s world-class events like the Warbirds over Wānaka air show, the Rhythm & Alps music festival, the Festival of Colour or Challenge Wānaka, the world’s most scenic long-distance triathlon."

https://www.newzealand.com/sg/wanaka/