Our most recommended things to do in Wanaka

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: Tandem Skydive Experience 9,000, 12,000 or 15,000-ft

3. Wanaka: Tandem Skydive Experience 9,000, 12,000 or 15,000-ft

Skydiving is a must-do and Wanaka is the most stunning place to tick it off your bucket list. Admire some of New Zealand’s most beautiful scenery and picturesque landscapes as you freefall from above at 200kph. Your experience starts when you walk in the door and meet the awesome frontline crew. Receive a full briefing and gear up. Before you know it, you’ll be meeting your tandem instructor and climbing into the plane for the incredible scenic flight to altitude. During your 20-minute flight over the Southern Alps, your instructor will point out Mt. Cook, Mt. Aspiring, the Southern Alps, a number of lakes and the Clutha River. Once you’ve reached your chosen altitude, it’s time to leap. Experience the pure adrenaline rush of freefalling at 200kph above the stunning Central Otago landscape. After 25 to 60-seconds of freefall, catch your breath and enjoy the smooth flight under canopy safely back down to the drop zone. Back on the ground, tears of joy, smiles, hugs and fist pumps are all the norm. Make your way back to the hanger to be de-geared then await your edited video and photos. Once your video is done plug it into the computer, gather around your friends and family and relive the moments all over again.

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: Scenic Flight with Glacier Landing

6. Wanaka: Scenic Flight with Glacier Landing

To begin your helicopter adventure, take the scenic drive out of Wanaka to the Matukituki Valley. Check-in at the hangar located on Cattle Flat Station, a fully operational working high-country farm. Before you set off into the sky, you’ll receive a safety briefing prior from your expert pilot. All helicopters are fitted with two-way headsets to ensure you can interact with your pilot, as well as enjoy their entertaining commentary during this 35-minute experience. Soaring into the sky, fly over the tussock-covered hills of the farm and into the alps over remote mountain peaks, covered with deep, glacial-carved valleys. Gaze at the otherworldly landscape, with its deep blue chasms and stunning glacial caps. Landing high on a glacier overlooking the Alps, you’ll enjoy a photo stop with guaranteed snow year round prior to returning to the hangar. Marvel at the panoramic views over the braided Matukituki River, flowing towards Lake Wanaka, before you gracefully float back down to the landing strip.

Wanaka: Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk

7. Wanaka: Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk

Join the longest and most spectacular jet boat tour in New Zealand on a half-day adventure from Wanaka. Travel at speed over the shallow braids of the Matukituki River, drift into turns and experience exciting spins! Stop in deep pools to breathe in the magic of the landscape and hear stories about the land from the local guides. Then, get off the beaten track on a 50-minute nature walk through the moss covered forests, waterfalls and glacial streams of Mount Aspiring National Park. Walk in awe beneath Avalanche Glacier (when conditions permit) or go into McGills Creek to enjoy one of the most beautiful and serene forest walks. Hear stories about this unique ice-carved landscape and get unmissable photo opportunities of the towering glaciers, shimmering waters and more. After your walk, you'll get to enjoy another ride in the jet boat back down the river. Your complimentary shuttle bus will be waiting to return you to Wanaka Town Centre.

Wanaka: Combo Entry to Puzzling World

8. Wanaka: Combo Entry to Puzzling World

Welcome to Wanaka's wonderful world of weirdness with an admission ticket to Puzzling World. Upon arrival, be met with the famous Tumbling Towers and The Leaning Tower of Wanaka, which offers great photo opportunities as friends or family appear to hold, push, or rip out the tower, foundations and all. Then, head into the Puzzle Centre, where dozens of puzzles await the curious and a massive kaleidoscope ceiling looks on from above, is a visual treat in itself. Encouraging problem solving, exercise and fun, the modern maze format with over-bridges and underpasses has created the world’s first truly 3-D Great Maze. The Illusion Rooms are sure to challenge reality as 5 unique rooms, along with ever-changing “walls of wonder”, exhibitions and the latest displays will leave you thinking “what the..?!” Outside, The Great Maze encourages problem-solving, exercise, and fun. Puzzling World invented this format, designed to suit all ages with over-bridges and underpasses to create the world’s first 3-dimensional maze. Don’t worry, emergency exits for those with limited time, patience, or energy are also built into the maze. With so many incredible things to see and do here, make sure to allow plenty of time for your unforgettable visit to Puzzling World.

Wanaka: Water Taxi & Mou Waho Island Tour

9. 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: 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.

Add dates

Things to do in
Wanaka

Top activities

Top sights in Wanaka

All activities

22 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 2

Immersive experiences

Go beyond Wanaka

Explore all

Other Sightseeing Options in Wanaka

Want to discover all there is to do in Wanaka? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Wanaka

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 224 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