Lake Wānaka is New Zealand's fourth-largest lake and the seat of the town of Wānaka in the Otago region. The lake is 278 meters above sea level, covers 192 km², and is more than 300 m deep.

It is perhaps New Zealand's most photographed tree — and for good reason. Its delicately curved trunk seemingly grows directly out of the pristine waters of Lake Wanaka. Indeed, the tree appears to be floating on the surface of the water. It's not a miracle, just an illusion perpetrated by nature.

The most popular swimming spot in Lake Wanaka is in the western corner of Roy's Bay. There is a 450m buoyline (red “witch's hats” and round red buoys) running west to east. There is also a 1km course running south to north. Look for 3 large yellow buoys in line with Ruby Island.

Wanaka is a town known for its turquoise lakes, snow-capped mountains, and incredible scenery. Located only an hour from the famous New Zealand city of Queenstown, Wanaka is worth a visit, or even a stay for a few nights.

At 45 kilometres long and covering 193 square kilometres, Lake Wanaka is perfect for jetboaters, sailors and kayakers to explore.

Located in the spectacular alps of the South Island, New Zealand, visitors from around the world are drawn to the Wanaka region by its outstanding beauty. The stunning mountain and lakeside setting and proximity to Mt Aspiring National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Area, makes it the ultimate base for outdoor activities.

With four distinct seasons, Wanaka is a year-round destination. Summers are hot and dry - perfect for water-sports, hiking and biking. Winters are cool and crisp with four diverse ski areas offering great options for skiers and snowboarders. Spring is the ideal time to get out and explore the lakeside tracks and trails, and the vibrant colours of autumn are perfect for photography.

It’s not just the outdoor enthusiasts who have plenty to do, stroll the streets and be inspired by galleries, stylish shops and be spoilt for choice with a great selection of cool cafes, excellent restaurants, craft breweries, award-winning wineries, and an artisan distillery.

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, Wanaka is a vibrant centre for skiers and snowboarders with four ski areas just a short drive from the town.

Wanaka 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 Wanaka’s word-class events like the Warbirds over Wanaka air show, the Rhythm & Alps music festival, the Festival of Colour or Challenge Wanaka, the world’s most scenic long-distance triathlon.