Official Visitor Guide 2019/2020
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Official Visitor Guide 2019/2020 7:10pm Rippon www.wanaka.co.nz 1 IT BEGINS WITH THE LANDSCAPE... SCAN TO SEE WANAKA or go to video-wanaka.nz 2 SCAN TO SEE WANAKA or go to video-wanaka.nz 6.55am Roys Peak 3 Kia Ora & Welcome to Wanaka Located in the stunning alps of the South Island, New Zealand, visitors from around the world are drawn to the Wanaka region by its outstanding beauty. Unique and captivating at the same time, it inspires you to discover and gives you the freedom to explore. Wanaka’s mountain and Sitting on the 45th parallel, Wanaka lakeside setting and proximity has four distinct seasons - hot dry to Mt Aspiring National Park, summers, cool autumns, lush springs make it the ultimate base for and crisp winters, making it a year- outdoor activities. Discover round destination. pristine rivers, waterfalls, Summer is perfect for jet-boating, glaciers, native forests and kayaking, and swimming and in mountains. winter the snow-covered mountains For the adventure seekers’ draw skiers and snowboarders from there’s canyoning, skydiving, around the globe to four world-class via ferrata, off road tours and ski fields. Spring is the time to get airborne adventures. out and explore the tracks and trails, while autumn is renowned for being But it’s not just the outdoor the most colourful of the seasons. enthusiasts who have plenty to do, stroll the streets and be inspired by galleries, stylish DID YOU KNOW… shops and be spoilt for choice Wanaka is one of the few with a great selection of cool areas in New Zealand to enjoy cafes and restaurants. a semi-continental climate, with four distinct seasons. 4 THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS TO LOVE WANAKA To make the most of your time in Wanaka: Talk to the experts at the Wanaka i-SITE Visitor Centre or visit www.wanaka.co.nz 5 Contents Landscape & Nature 14 Adventure 16 Attractions 18 Skiing & Snowboarding 20 Walking & Hiking 22 Mountain Biking & Road Cycling 24 Family Friendly 26 Food & Drink 28 Events 30 Activities & Attractions 33 Accommodation 53 Food & Drink 60 Shops & Services 67 Tiaki Promise New Zealand is precious, and everyone who lives and travels here has a responsibility to look after it. The Tiaki Promise is a commitment to care for New Zealand, for now and for future generations. By following the Tiaki Promise, you are making a commitment to New Zealand. To act as a guardian, protecting and preserving our home. Nau Mai, Haere Mai Ki Aotearoa, Welcome to New Zealand. While travelling in New Zealand I will: • Care for land, sea and nature, treading lightly and leaving no trace • Travel safely, showing care and consideration for all • Respect culture, travelling with an open heart and mind 6 Explore the Region Wanaka Visit 1 to 9 Infused with small town charm - the stunning lakeside town of Wanaka is surrounded by the spectacular Southern Alps. Visitors are drawn to the Wanaka region by its outstanding beauty. Matukituki Valley Visit 10 to 12 The starting point of many popular walks and hikes, notably the Rob Roy Glacier, as well as jet boat and helicopter adventures. Lake Hawea Visit 13 to 17 Lake Hawea is an outdoor adventurers’ paradise and is a great place to bike, boat, swim, fish, kayak, kite surf, paddle board, walk or just laze about on the peaceful beach and soak up the incredible views. Makarora Visit 18 to 20 Mt Aspiring National Park is easily accessible from Makarora by helicopter, plane, jet-boat or on foot, where you can explore some of the most beautiful terrain in the South Island. Luggate & Wanaka Airport Visit 21 to 22 Wanaka Airport is a day trip destination in a class of its own, with a multitude of airborne and attractions to visit. Be sure to check out the historic Luggate Hotel afterwards. Cardrona Visit 23 to 24 Cardrona is famous for its historic hotel, world-class ski fields and the bra fence! You can also experience horse trekking, quad biking and now whisky tasting. 7 Landscape & Nature UNSPOILT NATURAL BEAUTY Striking landforms, soaring Nature tours are a great way of mountains, and crystal clear seeing the diverse landscape lakes, the natural beauty of of the Wanaka region. Tours run Wanaka is an unforgettable all year-round, giving you an experience, where you can introduction to native wildlife immerse yourself in mountains, and flora. glaciers, lakes, rivers, wildlife, and a World Heritage Area. With a night sky so full of stars, Wanaka is just as stunning when Mt Aspiring National Park is a the sun goes down. And if you unique place by world standards, visit in autumn, you might even designated as a UNESCO World be lucky enough to experience Heritage Area. It’s a region the Aurora Australis. of soaring mountain peaks, hundreds of spectacular glaciers, DID YOU KNOW… lush beech forest, braided rivers, 15 Buff Weka – a rare alpine meadows and is home native bird – were to a diverse variety of native reintroduced to the islands New Zealand flora and fauna. on Lake Wanaka in 2009 and are now thriving 14 Landscape & Nature Highlights Take a scenic flight to view Mt Aspiring - land on a glacier Visit in Autumn for the beautiful colours Explore on horseback Experience the high country with a farm and nature tour Capture the reflective beauty of Glendhu Bay Visit Mou Waho Island and experience New Zealand how it used to be Swim and laze on secluded beaches 11.58am Walk to some of the most East Matukituki Valley scenic spots imaginable More Information > Aspiring Helicopters pg 45 > Classic Flights pg 39 > Eco Wanaka Adventures pg 47 > Lake Wanaka Cruises pg 47 > Lake Wanaka Yacht Charters pg 47 > Paddle Wanaka pg 48 > Ridgeline Adventures pg 49 > Wanaka 4x4 Explorer pg 50 > Wanaka Water Taxi pg 51 15 Adventure YOUR WANAKA ADVENTURE AWAITS Whatever your sense of Get out on the water. The adventure there’s an experience stunning Matukituki and for you in Wanaka, which has Makarora Rivers in the Mt Aspiring a well-deserved reputation National Park, the mighty Clutha as one of the world’s best River and the Hawea River white adventure towns. water wave, make kayaking or paddle boarding in the Wanaka With plenty of outdoor activities region outstanding for all abilities. and access to Mt Aspiring National Park, it’s easy to If you want to make the most of experience Wanaka’s adventure your time in Wanaka, then book activities for yourself - on land, an adventure combo. water or air. DID YOU KNOW… Maximise your adrenaline rush Sir Edmund Hillary honed - freefall from 15,000 feet, his climbing skills conquer waterfalls, take on on Mt Aspiring rapids, scale a peak, or let the experts take you - spin in a jet boat, land on a glacier, get upside down in a plane, or go off-road on a high-country adventure. 16 Adventure Highlights Get an adrenaline rush – freefall from 15,000 feet Climb alongside an iconic waterfall Cruise by kayak to the islands on Lake Wanaka Skim across braided rivers on a jetboat Try canyoning and plunge down water polished chutes Fit more in with a combo trip: flight + jetboat + walk Take on the rapids of the mighty Clutha River on a SUP Summit a peak with 2.36pm Siberia Valley experienced guides More Information > Adventure Consultants pg 44 > U Fly & U Fly Aerobatics pg 35 > Basecamp Adventures pg 45 > Wanaka Parasailing pg 51 > Deep Canyon pg 46 > Wanaka Rock Climbing pg 51 > First Tracks pg 47 > Wanaka River Journeys pg 43 > Go Jets Wanaka pg 40 > Wildwire Wanaka pg 38 > Lakeland Wanaka pg 41 > Wilkin River Jets/Backcountry > Learn To Fly pg 41 Helicopters pg 44 > Packraft Wanaka pg 48 > Skydive Wanaka pg 49 > Wanaka Helicopters pg 50 > Siberia Experience pg 42 > Southern Alps Air pg 43 17 Attractions BE AMAZED & DELIGHTED Wanaka’s attractions are fun, Take in the views while playing exciting and often quirky. 18 holes of golf or have a laugh Get lost in a maze, see 500 and some good family fun, with collectable cars in one place, round of mini golf. get up close to historic fighter planes or challenge yourself on There’s always something to do a climbing wall. in Wanaka and it will generally be something you can’t do A trip to the movies in Wanaka anywhere else! is still a special occasion - no matter what is showing, while the DID YOU KNOW… Transport and Toy Museum is one Puzzling World created of the largest private collections the world’s first 3D maze in the world. Enjoy a walk through the flowers, feed the friendly farm animals, relax over a cup of herbal tea or indulge in some lavender and honey ice-cream at the Wanaka Lavender Farm. 18 Attractions Highlights Taste local craft beers Visit the largest toy and transport collection in the Southern Hemisphere Indulge at intermission with freshly baked cookies at Cinema Paradiso Learn about New Zealand’s aviation & automotive history Race each other to the top of a climbing wall at Basecamp Complete the maze at Puzzling World Visit beautiful gardens at the Wanaka Lavender Farm Play a round of golf with 2.13pm Puzzling World spectacular views More Information > Basecamp Adventure, Climbing Centre pg 45 > Cinema Paradiso pg 46 > Crossfirepg 46 > Puzzling World pg 48 > National Transport & Toy Museum pg 48 > Wanaka Golf Club pg 50 > Wanaka Lavender Farm pg 37 > Warbirds and Wheels pg 52 > World of Deer Museum pg 52 19 Skiing & Snowboarding PURE MOUNTAIN AIR & BREATH TAKING VIEWS Located in the heart of the For an unforgettable luxury ski Southern Alps and boasting experience head to Soho Basin Australasia’s largest skiable Private Ski Area or access acres terrain, Wanaka offers you the of pristine powder on a heli- freedom to enjoy the best skiing skiing trip in the magnificent in New Zealand.