Wanaka

Tours

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.

Set off from the Wanaka lake front to cruise on Lake Wanaka on our luxury 17m catamaran Dual Image. This could be the perfect end to a great day or the perfect beginning to a great night. Marvel at the scenic beauty and take pictures to remember this relaxing experience. As you cruise along, enjoy a local wine, beer, or soft drink with some cheese & crackers - all included in the ticket! Your cruise will take you out on to Lake Wanaka and into some outstanding mountain scenery. Chat to the skipper, crew or fellow travelers to learn more about this remarkable part of New Zealand. While you cruise you can enjoy extra drinks for just $6 (NZ). We have a range of beers, excellent NZ wines, ready to drink spirit mixes and non alcoholic drinks on board. Family friendly atmosphere guaranteed and kids are welcome.

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.

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.

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 complimentary tea, coffee and a cookie then another 40-minute scenic cruise back to the Wanaka waterfront.

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.

Enjoy a thrilling 1.5-hour introduction to via ferrata climbing. This unique experience uses cable, iron rungs, pegs, bridges, and ladders, allowing you to climb routes that may not be accessible otherwise.  Your adventure begins at Twin Falls Waterfall, located 20 minutes from Wanaka. You will meet your guides, grab your helmets and harness and head over to our practice climb for your safety briefing. Once you have mastered the practice route, join a small group of no more than 5 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.

A shuttle will transport you from Wānaka to Hāwea at 0900hrs, 1030hrs or 1230hrs. This is a 'self-guided' bike ride from Hāwea to Wānaka along the river trails. Your host will explain the route to be ridden on the shuttle out to Hāwea and will deliver a bike familiarisation, safety briefing and set your bike set up for you prior to you starting the ride. nzbiketrails recommends e-bikes on this trail. This route includes riding along the Hāwea River trails to Albert Town. Stop and enjoy coffee and cakes (not included) at Albert Towns' Pembroke Patisserie (closes at 2:00 PM). Return to the bridge and you then pick-up the the Clutha River trail and follow this back all the way to Wānaka, through the Outlet and into the town where the bikes will be picked up from you when you have finished your days riding. The latest pickup is 4pm. Enjoy a grade 1-2 family friendly ride that is 30km in length. On average there is 2-2.5 hours of actual riding with lots of time remaining to enjoy the views, take photos and experience and the local area. Choosing an e-bike will ensure that your group stays together and fully enjoys the experience. Your e-bikes can be ridden in 'Off' or 'Eco' for those riders that may not want too much assistance. E-bikes are recommended on this trail for all age groups. All bikes are designed and set-up for the trails including a 'day pack' on the rear racks. nzbiketrails uses well maintained Sinch e-bikes (an NZ brand designed specifically for NZ trails), Specialized Rockhopper Regular bikes and iLabb Gravel bikes (for experienced Gravel riders only). Enjoy an experience ran by passionate trail cyclists who make sure that you are set-up correctly on your bike and confident with your gears and assistance levels before you start the ride. Please ensure that you select the right type of bike from the options - Get Your Guide lists e-bikes below the regular bikes on the options page.

Visit Mou Waho Island on a 3 hour cruise experience departing from Wanaka's lakefront. Mou Waho is a predator free Department of Conservation reserve. See first-hand the results of conservation efforts including the Mountain Stone Weta and the rare flightless Buff Weka, extinct on the mainland since 1920. Take a relaxing cruise out to Mou Waho Island on our fast super taxi. On arrival, enjoy a 2-hour guided bush walk that takes you up to a lake right on top of the island. The guides have extensive knowledge of the local flora and fauna, geology and both colonial and Maori history. Marvel at magnificent mountain and lake scenery in every direction. Your guide will then take you even higher to a lookout rock. On the scenic cruise back to the Wanaka waterfront, relax and take in the mountain views.

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 at base of the waterfall. Once you have mastered the practice route, join an intimate group of no more than 5 people per guide - ensuring your safety throughout the experience This intermediate route will have you climbing up 320m 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.