Wanaka 3-day itinerary

Wake before dawn and walk to That Wanaka Tree — the lone willow growing in the shallows of Lake Wanaka. At sunrise, the Buchanan Peaks and Mount Alta catch the first light while the lake surface is perfectly still, creating a mirror reflection around the tree. This is New Zealand's most photographed tree and the image that defines Wanaka. The tree is small and the viewing area is limited, so arriving at first light gives you the best chance of an unobstructed photograph. After the shoot, walk the full lakefront promenade through Roys Bay.

Spend two hours at Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World — the tilting rooms, hologram gallery, and outdoor maze are genuinely entertaining. The maze is more challenging than it looks — finding all four corner towers takes most people 45 minutes. After Puzzling World, drive or cycle 10km along the lake road to Glendhu Bay — a sheltered bay backed by farmland with a DOC campground and views across the lake to the surrounding peaks. The road hugs the lakeshore and is one of Wanaka's most pleasant drives.

Watch the sunset from the lakefront — the mountains turn pink and gold as the sun drops behind Mount Aspiring National Park to the west. Wanaka's food scene punches above its weight for a town of 8,000 people. Kika serves wood-fired Mediterranean dishes, Federal Diner does creative New Zealand cuisine, and Big Fig has the best burgers in town. For drinks, Rhyme & Reason Brewery on the industrial estate brews excellent craft beers on-site.

Roys Peak is Wanaka's signature hike — a 16km return track climbing 1,234 metres to the summit at 1,578 metres with arguably the most photographed viewpoint in New Zealand. The trail is a relentless uphill zigzag through tussock grassland with views expanding at every turn — Lake Wanaka appears below, then the Matukituki Valley, then Mount Aspiring and its glaciers. The famous ridgeline viewpoint (not the actual summit) is where most people take the iconic photograph — a narrow ridge extending into the void with the lake and mountains spread below. The summit is 20 minutes further and gives a 360-degree panorama.

After descending Roys Peak (allow 3-4 hours down), recover at the lakefront. Swim in Lake Wanaka from the Roys Bay beach — the glacial water is refreshing after a hot hike. Rent a paddleboard or kayak and explore the lake from the water. The Clutha River outlet at the southern end of the lake is a pleasant flat walk from town.

Visit Rhyme & Reason Brewery on the Wanaka industrial estate for locally brewed craft beers — their hazy IPA and pilsner are standouts. The taproom has a relaxed, industrial feel with food trucks outside. Alternatively, Wanaka Beerworks on Brownston Street is a smaller brewery with rotating taps. For dinner, Francesca's Italian Kitchen is a local favourite for wood-fired pizza.

Drive 50 minutes up the Matukituki Valley to the Rob Roy Glacier Track trailhead — one of the most rewarding half-day hikes in New Zealand. The 10km return track follows the Rob Roy Stream through ancient beech forest, crossing a dramatic swing bridge, before emerging into a glacial amphitheatre surrounded by hanging glaciers, waterfalls, and 2,000-metre peaks. The Rob Roy Glacier clings to the headwall above, calving ice into the valley. The sense of scale is overwhelming — this is Mount Aspiring National Park at its most dramatic and accessible.

Drive back through the Matukituki Valley — one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in New Zealand, with braided rivers, beech forest, and Mount Aspiring (Tititea) visible on clear days. On the way back to Wanaka, stop at the Wanaka Lavender Farm (open November to March) — 4 hectares of lavender rows with the mountain backdrop. The farm shop sells lavender products and the cafe serves lavender-infused scones and ice cream.

End your Wanaka visit at the lakefront for a final sunset. The evening light on the mountains across the lake is the image that brings most people back to Wanaka. Pick up fish and chips from Erik's and sit on the grass by the lake, or have a farewell dinner at Bistro Gentil for French-New Zealand cuisine in a charming cottage setting.