Wanaka 7-day itinerary

Start at That Wanaka Tree at sunrise for the iconic photograph, then walk the full lakefront promenade through Roys Bay. The morning light on the mountains and the still lake surface is Wanaka at its most beautiful.

Spend two hours at Puzzling World — the tilting rooms, hologram gallery, and outdoor maze are genuinely fun. The maze is more challenging than expected. Afterwards, swim or paddleboard at the lakefront.

Watch the sunset from the lakefront, then walk to Kika for wood-fired Mediterranean dinner or Big Fig for burgers and local craft beer.

Start at 4am for the 16km return hike up Roys Peak. Climb 1,234 metres through tussock grassland to the famous ridgeline viewpoint and summit for a 360-degree panorama over Lake Wanaka, Mount Aspiring, and the Matukituki Valley. This is the most iconic viewpoint in Wanaka.

Recover from the hike with a swim in Lake Wanaka at Roys Bay beach. The glacier-fed water is cold but refreshing. Rent a paddleboard and explore the lake from the water.

Visit Rhyme & Reason Brewery for locally brewed craft beers in a relaxed industrial taproom. Their hazy IPA is excellent. Food trucks provide dinner options.

Drive 50 minutes up the Matukituki Valley to the Rob Roy Glacier Track. The 10km return hike through beech forest leads to a glacial amphitheatre with hanging glaciers, waterfalls, and 2,000-metre peaks. One of the most rewarding half-day hikes in New Zealand.

Drive back through the stunning Matukituki Valley — braided rivers, beech forest, and views of Mount Aspiring (Tititea). Stop at the Wanaka Lavender Farm if visiting between November and March.

Dinner at Francesca's Italian Kitchen for wood-fired pizza, or Federal Diner for creative New Zealand cuisine. Pair with a Central Otago pinot noir — the region produces some of the best in the world.

Hike the Iron Mountain Track — a 3-4 hour loop that climbs through farmland and bush to an exposed ridgeline with panoramic views over Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, and the surrounding mountain ranges. Less crowded than Roys Peak and almost as spectacular.

Drive to Glendhu Bay — a sheltered bay 10km from town with calm swimming water, a DOC campground, and views across the lake. The road hugs the lakeshore and is one of the prettiest drives in the area. Swim, picnic, or simply relax on the shore.

Visit Wanaka Beerworks on Brownston Street for a smaller, more intimate craft beer experience. Rotating taps feature seasonal brews. Walk to Bistro Gentil for a French-New Zealand fine dining experience in a cottage setting.

Drive 15 minutes to Lake Hawea — Wanaka's quieter neighbour, a deep blue lake surrounded by tussock-covered mountains. The Lake Hawea Lookout on the road between the two lakes gives a sweeping view. The Hawea township is tiny and peaceful with a lakefront picnic area. Continue north along Highway 6 through the Haast Pass road.

Drive an hour north on Highway 6 to the Blue Pools Track — a 30-minute return walk through moss-draped beech forest to a swing bridge over the Makarora River, where the water is an impossible shade of blue-green. The pools are crystal clear and you can see trout swimming on the bottom. On warm days, brave swimmers jump from the bridge into the freezing glacial water.

Return to Wanaka for dinner at Amigos Mexican for casual fare, or The Stoaker Room for barbecue. After dinner, drive 10 minutes out of town for stargazing — Wanaka has minimal light pollution and the Milky Way is spectacular on clear nights.

Drive the Crown Range Road — New Zealand's highest sealed road, crossing a 1,076-metre alpine pass between Wanaka and Queenstown. The road climbs through farmland into tussock-covered alpine terrain with expansive views of the Cardrona Valley and the Southern Alps. Stop at the Crown Range summit lookout for photographs.

Stop at the Cardrona Hotel — a photogenic 1863 gold-rush era building that is one of New Zealand's oldest surviving hotels. The corrugated iron facade and historic bar are instantly recognisable. In winter, the Cardrona Alpine Resort ski field is nearby. The Cardrona Distillery produces excellent gin and single malt whisky — tours and tastings available.

Return to Wanaka for your penultimate evening. Visit a new restaurant or revisit a favourite. The lakefront at dusk is always worth a walk — the mountains reflected in the still water are the lasting image of Wanaka.

Return to That Wanaka Tree for a final sunrise photograph or walk around the peninsula track at Eely Point — a flat 30-minute loop through native bush along the lakeshore with views back to town and across the lake.

If leaving on a Thursday, visit the Wanaka Farmers Market (8am-12pm) for fresh produce, artisan goods, and coffee. Otherwise, browse the shops on Brownston Street and Helwick Street, then take a final swim at Roys Bay.

For your final Wanaka meal, Kika for Mediterranean or Bistro Gentil for French cuisine are both excellent choices. Wanaka is a town that stays with you — the lake, the mountains, and the unhurried pace of life make it one of New Zealand's most lovable places.