An hour over the hill from Queenstown, Wānaka has the same stunning lake-and-mountains setup but a slower, friendlier, more local feel. A lot of backpackers end up preferring it. The town hugs a beautiful lake, the Southern Alps rise straight behind, and most of the best stuff is outdoors and free.
Free things to do
- #ThatWānakaTree: The most photographed tree in NZ, standing alone in the lake. Free, obviously — go at sunrise to beat the crowd.
- Lakefront walk: Easy, flat, gorgeous, right from town.
- Roys Peak: The legendary hike (see our day-hikes post) — a tough 5–6 hour return slog to one of NZ’s most iconic viewpoints. Free and worth every step.
- Diamond Lake & Rocky Mountain: A shorter, quieter alternative with lake-and-mountain views.
- Blue Pools (Haast Pass): A bit out of town toward the West Coast — clear blue glacial pools and a swing bridge, free and beautiful.
Hidden gem
Lake Hāwea (its own post) is 15 minutes away and even more peaceful. And the Hāwea/Albert Town riverside spots are lovely for a swim.
The vibe
Wānaka is outdoorsy, unpretentious and great for meeting people without Queenstown’s party intensity. Excellent base for Mt Aspiring National Park.
Camping — note
Queenstown Lakes rules apply here too: self-contained only, designated sites, Green Warrant required. Note: popular spots like Allenby Place have been closed to freedom camping (extended to 2027); extra spaces were added at the Wānaka Recreation Centre car park. Always check the QLDC Responsible Camping map and CamperMate — it changes.
A self-contained Campervanz van and a Wānaka sunrise is hard to beat.
