Cruises on Lake Wanaka & Scenic Island Walks
Cruise the crystal clear waters of Lake Wanaka, Exploring the beautiful bays and islands that form part of New Zealand’s 4th largest lake
Things to Do in Lake Wanaka – Top Attractions & Activities
Home / Things to Do in Lake Wanaka – Top Attractions & Activities
Things to Do in Lake Wanaka – Top Attractions & Activities
Lake Wanaka is one of New Zealand’s top destinations for outdoor adventures and unforgettable experiences. From iconic skydives and scenic flights to family-friendly attractions and alpine tours, this page brings together the best Lake W?naka activities — all available to book online.
Whether you’re planning a short stay or looking to lock in your must-do experiences, explore the top tours and activities in Lake Wanaka below and book with confidence.
Book the Best Tours & Activities in Lake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka is one of New Zealand’s premier destinations for unforgettable outdoor experiences. From high-adrenaline adventures to scenic flights and relaxed family-friendly attractions, this page brings together the top tours and activities in Lake Wanaka — all available to book online.
Whether you’re locking in must-do experiences or choosing how to spend your time in the region, explore the best W?naka tours and activities below and book with confidence.
Adventure Experiences in Lake Wanaka
Wanaka is renowned for its adventure activities, making it a favourite for thrill-seekers. Popular experiences include skydiving over Lake Wanaka with panoramic alpine views, exhilarating waterfall climbing adventures, and other adrenaline-fuelled tours that showcase the region’s dramatic landscapes.
Scenic Flights & Signature Experiences
For unforgettable views, scenic helicopter flights and aerial tours offer a unique perspective of Lake Wanaka, Mount Aspiring National Park and the surrounding Southern Alps. Many flights include alpine landings, creating once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities and an incredible way to experience the region from above.
Family-Friendly Tours & Activities
Lake Wanaka is an excellent destination for families, with a range of activities suitable for all ages. From iconic attractions like Puzzling World to gentle lake cruises and nature-based experiences, there are plenty of family-friendly things to do that combine fun, learning and scenery.
Outdoor & Backcountry Tours
Explore beyond the town centre with outdoor and backcountry experiences that highlight Wanaka’s natural beauty. Guided e-bike tours, off-road alpine adventures, horseback trekking and packrafting tours provide access to remote landscapes, peaceful valleys and stunning lake and mountain scenery.
Why Book Your Lake Wanaka Experiences Here
Booking your Wanaka tours and activities in one place makes planning simple. Compare experiences, choose what suits your travel style, and secure your spot with trusted local operators — all before you arrive.
Wilkin River Jet Boat Rides & Backcountry Helicopter Flights
Let us take you on a personal wilderness journey deep into the ‘timeless land’ of the Makarora and Wilkin River Valleys
Southern Lakes Heli Bike Queenstown & Wanaka
taking you on a backcountry mountain bike riding adventure you’ll never forget, dropped on top of a mountain by a helicopter with your bike
Packrafting Queenstown – Guided Hike & Paddle Trips
Packrafting in Queenstown with guided hike and paddle trips. Trek to remote rivers, inflate your raft and explore pristine backcountry gorges.
Tandem Skydive Wanaka Best Skydiving in NZ
Skydive Wanaka offers New Zealand’s best tandem skydiving! Choose 9,000, 12,000, or 15,000 ft jumps from $289. Thrilling views await—book now!
Aspiring Helicopters — Snow & Glacier Flights from Wanaka
Wanaka’s Aspiring Helicopters offers spectacular snow and glacier landings over Mt Aspiring National Park, plus breathtaking scenic flights to Milford Sound.
Alpine Helicopters Scenic Flights Queenstown & Wanaka
Witness cascading waterfalls and unparalleled scenery on a journey of discovery through forested valleys and snow-capped peaks.
Backcountry Saddle’s Cardrona – Horse Riding Treks in Wanaka
Stunning high country plateaus, towering mountains and steeped in gold mining history so is the perfect landscape to enjoy a horse trek
Puzzling World Lake Wanaka – Family Things To Do
Be entertained and amazed at Puzzling World, a world unique attraction full of puzzle eccentricity, designed to fascinate everyone
WildWire Wanaka – Climb New Zealand’s Highest Waterfalls
Clip in on WildWire W?naka’s guided via ferrata at Twin Falls — climb New Zealand’s highest waterfalls with airy bridges, huge views and a heli finish.
Free Things To Do In Wanaka – Top 18 Activities & Attractions
Discover 18 free activities and attractions in Lake Wanaka, from scenic hikes and lakefront walks to quirky landmarks. Explore Wanaka on any budget.
Roaring Wine Tours Queenstown, Wanaka & Cromwell
From Bannockburn to Alexandra, you will visit the region’s smallest wineries and meet the eccentric personalities behind the wines.
Canyoning Queenstown & Wanaka – Adventure Canyoning Tours
Experience half-day and full-day canyoning adventures in Queenstown and Wanaka. Abseil waterfalls, jump into pools, and explore hidden canyons with expert guides.
Queenstown, Franz Josef & Christchurch – Any Direction
Discover the best of New Zealand’s South Island with Cheeky Kiwi Tours from Queenstown to Franz Josef and Christchurch including TranzAlpine rail options.
Lakeland Wanaka Water Sports Activities
‘Lakeland Wanaka’ offer a wide range of experiences of water based outdoor activities for all age groups and budgets.
Lake Wanaka Cruises & Guided Walks with Eco Wanaka Adventures
Explore Lake Wanaka with Eco Wanaka Tours—scenic cruises, guided walks, and heli hikes to remote alpine lakes and Mt Aspiring National Park.
Wanaka 4WD Off Road Tour – Wanaka’s 4X4 Adventures
Wanaka 4×4 Explorer offers you the ultimate Lake and Mountain Adventure bringing you the best views from the lake and land
Siberia Experience – Fly – Walk & Jet Boat Adventure
One of NZ’s best wilderness experiences with rugged mountains, glaciers, mountain lakes, hanging valleys & vast rainforests.
Wanaka & Milford Scenic Flights Southern Alps Air
Our scenic flights includes Mount Aspiring, pristine glaciers, rainforests, alpine lakes, rivers, cascading waterfalls & Milford Sound.
Guided Kayaking Tours on Lake Wanaka – Paddle Wanaka
Discover Lake Wanaka with guided kayak tours and rentals. Paddle beneath the stunning Southern Alps and enjoy an unforgettable kayaking adventure.
Go Jets – Jet Boat Trip Lake Wanaka & Clutha River
This thrilling jet boat trip will take you on a breathtaking journey over Lake Wanaka & An exhilarating jet boat ride down the mighty Clutha River.
WanaHaka – Wanaka Wine Tours & Cultural Experience’s
with our vibrant and beautiful Central Otago wines and tours. We are the only wine tour in Central Otago that has both the wine & cultural experience.
Wanaka Wine Tours – Explore Central Otago’s Boutique Wineries
On a wine-tasting tour, it’s important to eat along the way. We place great emphasis on the concept of food-and-wine matching,
Wanaka Helicopters – Scenic Flights Over Lake Wanaka & Mt Aspiring
Experience stunning scenic flights with W?naka Helicopters. Glacier and alpine landings, Milford Sound flights, and breathtaking views across Mt Aspiring National Park.
Wanaka Bike Tours – Self Guided E-Bike Adventures
Wanaka Bike Tours – Self-Guided Electric & Standard Bike Hire. Explore Wanaka’s scenic trails or ride the stunning Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail.
River Boarding Queenstown – Kawarau River Sledging Adventure
Riverboarding on Queenstown’s Kawarau River! Try Drifting, Sledging, or River Surfing—unforgettable water adventures for adrenaline seekers of all levels.
Best Time to Visit Lake Wanaka – Seasonal Highlights
Lake Wanaka is a year-round destination, with each season offering different experiences depending on your travel style and interests.
Spring (September to November)
Spring brings fresh alpine scenery, milder temperatures and fewer crowds. It’s a great time for hiking, cycling and scenic experiences such as Mou Waho Island walks, lake cruises and scenic flights.
Summer (December to February)
Summer offers warm days and long daylight hours, ideal for outdoor adventures. Popular activities include packrafting, paddleboarding, swimming, e-bike tours and lake cruises.
Autumn (March to May)
Autumn is known for its colourful landscapes and calmer atmosphere. This season suits scenic photography, horse trekking, gentle hiking and relaxed outdoor tours.
Winter (June to August)
Winter transforms Wanaka into a hub for snow-based adventures, with nearby ski fields at Treble Cone and Cardrona. Scenic helicopter flights with snow landings and winter alpine views are also popular during this time.
Visitor FAQs – Lake Wanaka Tours & Activities
Wanaka offers a wide range of outdoor experiences suited to different adventure levels. Popular activities include skydiving over Lake Wanaka, scenic helicopter flights with alpine landings, packrafting, waterfall climbing and guided e-bike tours. Horse trekking and 4WD alpine tours are also great ways to explore the region’s landscapes.
Yes, Wanaka is well suited for families. Popular family-friendly attractions include Puzzling World, scenic lake cruises and guided walks on Mou Waho Island. Gentle horse treks, e-bike tours and easy lakefront walks also make Wanaka enjoyable for visitors of all ages.
Wanaka offers adventure activities year-round. Summer is ideal for water-based activities and outdoor adventures, while winter is best for skiing, snowboarding and scenic snow flights. Spring and autumn provide quieter conditions with mild weather, ideal for hiking, scenic tours and backcountry experiences.
Wanaka has plenty of free activities to enjoy between booked experiences. Highlights include visiting That Wanaka Tree, walking along the lakefront, hiking Mount Iron Track and tackling the Roys Peak Track for panoramic views. These activities are ideal for balancing paid tours with free exploration. https://mustdonewzealand.co.nz/tours/free-things-to-do-lake-wanaka/
A stay of 2–3 days allows time to enjoy key attractions and activities. For a more relaxed visit with multiple tours, outdoor adventures and scenic experiences, 5–7 days is recommended.
Yes. Wanaka offers many beginner-friendly experiences, including scenic flights, lake cruises, easy e-bike trails and guided horse treks. Ski fields such as Cardrona and Treble Cone also cater well to beginners during winter.
Top viewpoints include Roys Peak, Mount Iron Track and the Wanaka lakefront. Scenic helicopter flights and lake cruises to Mou Waho Island also offer unique perspectives of the surrounding mountains and lake.
Wanaka is around one hour from Queenstown by car, making it possible as a day trip. However, staying overnight is recommended to experience more activities and enjoy the region at a relaxed pace.
Wanaka is generally pet-friendly, with several walking trails and outdoor areas suitable for leashed pets. It’s best to confirm pet policies with accommodation providers and tour operators in advance.
