Wanaka 1-day itinerary

Start at That Wanaka Tree — the lone willow growing in the shallows of Lake Wanaka that has become one of the most photographed trees in New Zealand. The tree is at its most photogenic in the soft morning light with the mountains reflected in the still lake water behind it. Walk along the lakefront promenade from the tree towards Roys Bay — the path passes through parkland with views across the lake to the Buchanan Peaks and Mount Aspiring in the distance. The lakefront is Wanaka's social centre in summer, with locals swimming, paddleboarding, and picnicking on the grass.

Visit Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World — a quirky Wanaka institution since 1973. The tilting rooms play tricks on your sense of gravity, the hologram gallery is surprisingly impressive, and the 1.5km outdoor maze is genuinely challenging. Puzzling World is unapologetically eccentric and one of Wanaka's most entertaining attractions. After Puzzling World, drive or cycle along the lake road to Glendhu Bay — a beautiful sheltered bay 10km from town with views back across the lake to the surrounding mountains.

Return to the Wanaka lakefront for sunset — the mountains across the lake turn pink and gold as the sun drops behind Mount Aspiring National Park. For dinner, Wanaka has a surprisingly good food scene for a small town: Federal Diner for upscale comfort food, Kika for wood-fired Mediterranean cuisine, or Big Fig for burgers and craft beer. The town is compact and everything is within walking distance of the lakefront.