Wanaka Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Wanaka, Otago, South Island, New Zealand)

For many years, Wanaka has been a leading Mecca for lovers of the 'great outdoors', and the majority of its exceptional tourist attractions make full use of the natural scenery and landscape available. Each summer, tourists head to this lively township to try their hand at jet-boating on Lake Wanaka, white-water rafting on the Clutha River, and the bravest even consider exciting attractions such as tandem skydiving from a plane. And if you are here in the winter months, then the ski resorts of Wanaka warrant a visit.

If all of these attractions are a little too much to cope with, then Wanaka also offers tourists sightseeing flights, high above Central Otago, where you can enjoy stunning views of the Mount Aspiring National Park and beyond. And after all of that exhilaration and fun, try you hand at wine tasting at one of the neighbouring vineyards, or pay a visit to the Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World and try to find your way out of its unusual maze.

Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World

Address: Main Highway, Wanaka, New Zealand, NZ
Tel: +64 03 443 7489
One of the town's most appealing tourist attractions, the Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World offers something quite unexpected in this small town. Puzzling World's 3-D 'Great Maze' features some 1.5 km / 1 mile of narrow passages over two storeys, with towers situated at each of the corners. Children will enjoy exploring the countless puzzles and optical illusions, which include a collection of holographic photos and the rather unnerving 'Hall of Following Faces'. Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World is located on the very outskirts of town, along the road to Cromwell.
Open hours: daily - 08:30 to 17:30
Admission: charge

White-Water Rafting, Kayaking and Jet-Boating

Address: Wanaka, New Zealand, NZ
Many tourists come to Wanaka from Queenstown, purely to try their hand at white-water rafting. Available between October and April (outside of the New Zealand's winter months), both white-water rafting and kayaking take place along the Clutha, Hawea and Matukituki rivers. Others prefer to hop aboard a speedy jet boat and zoom across Lake Wanaka and down Clutha River. If you are interested in any of these attractions, the main companies are as follows:

• Alpine Kayak Guides (tel: +64 03 443 9023)
• Lakeland Adventures (tel: +64 03 443 7495)
• Pioneer Rafting (tel: +64 03 443 1246)

Open hours: daily - seasonal variations
Admission: charge

Canyoning, River Sledging and other Outdoor Activities

Address: Wanaka, New Zealand, NZ
Those who love thrills and adventure attractions will find that Wanaka provides on all levels. Summer canyoning is always popular and organised by 'Deep Canyon' (tel: +64 03 443 7922). This activity involves rock climbing, waterfall abseiling and even swimming, with the price including all of the necessary equipment, instruction, travel and even lunch. For many, white-water river sledging offers the ultimate adrenaline rush and involves small rafts, which resemble boogie boards. River sledging is offered on both the fast-flowing Kawarau, and the more gently flowing Clutha. Other outdoor activities on offer around Wanaka include tandem skydiving (tel: +64 03 443 7207), paragliding (tel: +64 03 443 9193), trout fishing, guided boat tours, quad-bike rides and mountain biking, with trails around Mount Iron and the West Matukituki Valley. Look out for the Department of Conservation (DOC) booklet entitled 'Mountain Biking around Wanaka, if this is of interest to you.
Open hours: daily - seasonal variations
Admission: charge for some activities

Aerial Sightseeing

Address: Wanaka Airport, Wanaka, New Zealand, NZ
There are a number of different companies based at Wanaka Airport, offering sightseeing flights over Central Otago and this part of the South Island. These include both Aspiring Air (tel: +0800 100 943) and Wanaka Flightseeing (tel: +0800 105 105), as well as several helicopter companies. Most scenic flights last around 50 minutes and provide a unique opportunity to appreciate the regional attractions from a very different angle, flying over Mount Aspiring, Milford Sound, Mount Cook and many impressive glaciers. Although this is by no means a cheap way to sightsee, sizable 'early bird' discounts are often available for early morning departures.
Open hours: daily - seasonal variations
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Beerworks, Vineyards and Wineries

Address: Wanaka, New Zealand, NZ
The popular Wanaka Beerworks (tel: +64 03 443 1865) facility can be found within the Transport Museum, on State Highway 6. Beerworks offers the chance to enjoy a guided tour of the town's small brewery and taste the naturally brewed produce, which consists of a dark ale, a malt lager and the acclaimed 'Brewski' bitter. Those who prefer New Zealand wine will find a number of outlying vineyards and wineries spread around Central Otago. The most noteworthy of these include the Rippon Vineyard and Winery (tel: +64 03 443 8084) along Mount Aspiring Road, which is known for its Pinot Noir, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, and the Mount Mauda Vineyard (tel: +64 03 443 8398) on Maungawera Road, where specialities include Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free