A welcoming change of scene
The beauty of Wānaka is that it’s not just for hardcore mountaineers and adrenaline junkies, finds Liz Carlson.
Wānaka is a place that gets under your skin and stays a while. When I first settled here nearly a decade ago, I heard the same story over and over again: ‘‘I came for a holiday, and I just never left.’’
It’s still a common narrative around town. Wānaka commands attention. Between the relaxed lifestyle, incredible views and endless opportunities for adventure, it has long been the dream of many when it comes to finding an Eden to call home.
It’s no surprise that you’ll find Olympians, adventure racers and mountaineers bopping around town. You’ll quickly hear stories of record ascents of the mountains, epic backcountry skitouring, and training sessions for Godzone and Red Bull Defiance adventure races.
Wānaka is certainly a mecca for those who thirst for a challenge. But the stereotype that it is only for hardcore mountain folk simply isn’t true. I’m here to tell you that it’s so much more than that, too.
Wānaka that appeals to just about any type of person, not just hardcore adrenaline junkies.
There are so many ways to experience the beauty and allure of Wānaka and its landscape that don’t involve climbing mountains, riding bikes down big rocks, or skiing steep chutes.
From gentle walks and casual hikes to visiting wineries and splurging on scenic flights, there is no shortage of ways to partake in the incredible nature without having to tackle intense adventures.
Central Otago is one of New Zealand’s greatest wine regions, and it also supplies us with incredible produce. With several wineries nearby, a booming craft beer scene and a stylish distillery, Wānaka is making a name for itself as a hub for those with a discerning taste for wine, beer and spirits.
Paired with an up-and-coming foodie scene that features the bright flavours of Otago, you can’t go wrong here when it comes to meals. Scroggin Cafe and Arc are my current spots for morning coffee and brunch, while Big Fig is the go-to for incredible lunches to take away and enjoy on the lakefront.
B.social, a taproom and eatery, is a perfect spot to catch up with friends in the afternoon, as are local breweries Ground Up Brewing and Rhyme and Reason. Rippon and Maude will always be top contenders for wine tastings.
Bistro Gentil is a Wānaka institution when celebrating a special occasion, with Kika closing out the list as my favourite spot for dinner in town.
Wānaka still has that arid climate that enables stonefruit, grapes, and all other kinds of crops to thrive. With our dry, hot summers and cold, crisp, and snowy winters, we get the best of all four seasons and have a thriving agricultural climate booming around it.
This is best experienced at the Wānaka Lavender Farm, where you can explore the beautiful lavender fields (peak in summer) and check out the farm animals and the incredible honey and tasting room with teas and lavender ice cream. It’s great for families.
Although we don’t have the cable cars and gondolas of Europe’s mountains, you also don’t always need to hike for days to get into the backcountry here.
Thanks to many visitors calling in over the past decade, there are plenty of easy trails in Wānaka that pack a punch, either for walking or biking. Definitely start with the lakefront and the 3km (one-way) Outlet Track, which follows the Clutha River to Albert Town.
If you’re looking for something a bit longer, you can do the 4.5km Mt Iron Track or head into Mt Aspiring National Park to tackle the 10km Rob Roy Glacier track or visit the Makarora River’s Blue Pools. If you’re fit, head up Isthmus Peak or the Instagram-worthy Mt Roy. Both are old 4WD tracks and easy to navigate but relentlessly uphill. Neither requires any particular hiking experience beyond basic fitness (unless there are winter conditions like ice and snow).
Dip your toes into the hardcore scene and learn to mountainbike at Bike Glendhu or take some skiing lessons at Cardrona Alpine Resort in winter.
If you’re willing to drop some dollars on a once-ina-lifetime experience and get deep into the mountains without having to tramp for days, consider jumping on a scenic flight around Mt Aspiring or even flying over to Milford Sound for the day. These helicopter trips usually involve landing high up the mountains in the snow, so you can really take it all in.
You can even stay at Mahu Whenua, a luxury lodge that sits on what is essentially New Zealand’s largest private conservation project.
My favourite low-key adventure is the Siberia Experience, the perfect day trip to give you a real taste of the backcountry without needing loads of experience. You fly into the remote Siberia Valley of Mt Aspiring National Park. Then it’s a relaxed day walk down the valley, where you get picked up by jetboat and whizzed along mountain rivers to Makarora. Easy and fun, it’s a fabulous way to experience the heart of the mountains.
Whether you want hands-on experiences and to learn a new skill or to hide away somewhere stunning and soak up the surrounds, Wānaka beckons all. Just be warned – you might not leave.
Staying safe: