things to do

Cycling

Wanaka has a wonderful network of trails to suit every level.Grab the bikes from the lodge and head out for a great day’s riding! Click here for some suggestions.

Guided Cycling

Freeride NZ organise local guided cycle rides. They run Heli bike trips which include a helicopter lift to the top or you can enjoy their West Wanaka Cross Country ride. Click here for more information

Fly fishing

Whether you want to drift fish,or explore the lakes and streams, we can match a knowledgeable guide to help you. If this is your first time take a lesson - you'll love it! Or just take a rod and walk from the lodge to the Clutha River for a trout.

Drift Fishing

A unique fishing experience. The drift boats allow you to float fish where shore based fishermen can only dream of. You can easily sight trout , pull up into an eddy and reel in a New Zealand brown or rainbow trout.

fly fish from the raft as you drift as well as stopping to wade from the shore. The best of both worlds.

Guided Walks 
Winter is the perfect time to take a long hike into the mountains, to experience the beauty of winter first hand. Talk to us about guided walk options.

The Siberia Experience
day trip where you fly to a remote mountain valley in Mount Aspiring National Park and walk in the forest before returning by jetboat. 
All our guests love this trip.
www.siberiaexperience.co.nz

Wanaka lakeside
There are a number of beautiful walks around the lake – you can walk from the Lodge into town (50 minutes) or from the Lodge down the Clutha River. On the other side of town you can take the Waterfall Track with great views back over the town.

Diamond Lake – a great half day walk. The Diamond Lake track is a great half day walk near Treble cone with stunning views of the lake and mountains.
There are an infinite variety of wonderful hikes (tramps) in the area.
We can make suggestions for you depending on the length and difficulty of the walks you would like to do.
We can also recommend experienced guides for more challenging walks.
www.doc.govt.nz

Treble Cone is a more challenging field for more experienced skiers and boarders with 2 quad chairlifts and 2 beginner lifts at a base elevation of 1260m. The views over Lake Wanaka and up the Matukituki Valley are stunning. A a good day in the Saddle Basin is just heaven and there is good coffee and friendly Keas at the base station. 
www.treblecone.com

Cardrona is great for beginners and intermediate skiers and boarders, it offers 3 quad chairlifts and 4 beginner lifts at a base elevation of 1669m. A great all round resort where we can be often found during the ski season. 
www.cardrona.com

Snow Farm has 55 km of groomed trails for cross country skiing, and also offers snow shoeing and snow tubing. Husky sled rides are also available at certain times.

A day cross country skiing at Snow Farm is one of Tiff and Steph's favourite activities- high in the mountains , beautiful snow and views, so few people that when you meet someone on  the track you want to stop and have a chat! Highly recommended.
Cross Country Skiing Waiorau Snowfarm NZ

Snow Park

Offers a world class Terrain Park (Snow Park) for boarders and free style skiers.
www.snowparknz.com

Heli Skiing and Boarding is available throughout the ski season from July.  Experience the mountains as you never have before, the peace, the tranquility and most of all the freedom.  Venture into the backcountry of Mount Aspiring National Park with experienced guides at levels to suit all abilities.
www.heliski.co.nz

Snow shoeing
Experience the beauty and serenity of the mountains without being a skier at Snow Farm- no queues, no people, just miles of untracked snow. We can organise a guided walk if you prefer but either way let us provide you with hot chocolate and a gourmet lunch for a snow picnic.
Cross Country Skiing Waiorau Snowfarm NZ

Visit Milford Sound
A great way to see Milford Sound if time is short. Fly over Lake Wanaka past Mt Aspiring and the stunning mountains and glaciers of the Southern Alps and Fiordland World Heritage National Parks. Fly the full length of Milford Sound before landing  and taking in the views from the water on the scenic cruise. Total trip time is 4 hours. www.southernalpsair.co.nz

River journeys
Take jet boat up the beautiful Matukituki Valley through Lord of the Rings locations under Avalanche Glacier with wonderful views of Mt Aspiring with an optional helicopter flight around the glaciers.The Matukituki is Steph’s favourite valley. A fabulous trip. 
www.wanakariverjourneys.co.nz

The Siberia Experience
day trip where you fly to a remote mountain valley in Mount Aspiring National Park and walk in the forest before returning by jetboat.
All our guests love this trip.
www.siberiaexperience.co.nz

Mount Aspiring & Rob Roy Glacier walks
drive up the magnificent Matukituki Valley for a full day walk to the Mount Aspiring Hut or to Rob Roy Glacier to watch ice falls from the glacier and fend off the cheeky keas. Click here for more about glacier walk.

Luxury 4 Wheel Drive high country station tour.

Visit Glendene Station , a 20,000 acre station on the shore of Lake Hawea with stunning views. Stocked with farmed deer and merino sheep view and participate in the daily operations. 
www.alpineclasstours.co.nz

Scenic helicopter flights
Take a scenic flight  over the spectacular Southern Alps to Mt Aspiring, make a snow landing and explore the glaciers and stunning mountain scenery.
Take the  ultimate helicopter flight to Milford Sound via Mt Aspiring. Or fly over the Southern Alps up to the remote alpine lake of Lochnagar where you land and enjoy a stunning gourmet alpine picnic  - very special wilderness experience. 
www.heliflights.co.nz

Ridgeline Tours
Take a custom 4WD Wild Hills tour
To visit a viewpoint high above Lake Wanaka for morning tea or evening drinks  and add on an optional visit to Maude Wines and the beautiful Rippon Vineyard on the shore of Lake Wanaka.
www.ridgelinenz.com

Art Tours
Vist artists private studios and gardens and regional galleries with an informative art guide. Or go on a sketching or painting excursion with a professional tutor.
www.artadventures.co.nz

Rock Climbing
Experience the thrill of rock climbing in the Matukituki Valley with expert guides from Wanakarock or take your first rock climbing lesson.
www.wanakarock.co.nz

Take a tiger moth flight over Wanaka
Experience a piece of aviation history in a scenic flight over Wanaka and up the Clutha River.
www.classicflights.co.nz

Paragliding
Take a tandem paraglide from Treble Cone and experience an incredible scenic flight.
www.wanakaparagliding.co.nz

Canyoning
Descend the spectacular canyons of the Matukituki valley. Explore crystal pools and plunge down polished chutes.
www.deepcanyon.co.nz

Eco Rafting
- retrace the 1860’s log raft route down the great Upper Clutha river through spectacular scenery and sweeping rapids on New Zealand’s highest volume river.
www.ecoraft.co.nz

Cardrona Adventure Park
Try quad bikes, an American monster truck or go for an extreme 4WD experience with a master stunt man.
www.adventurepark.co.nz

Have a Shot
Includes clay pigeon shooting, a golfing range, mini golf, target shooting and archery.  Fun for every age group.
www.haveashot.co.nz

The famous Warbirds over Wanaka Air show
at Easter 2010 - the biggest 3 day show in the Southern Hemisphere featuring historic aircraft.
www.warbirdsoverwanaka.co.nz

Skydive Wanaka 
Unmatched and extreme scenery: New Zealand’s highest mountains - Mount Cook (Aoraki) and Mount Aspiring (Tititea) - alpine lakes, quintessential high country... Lord of the rings country...
An experienced and highly-qualified skydive team helping you take adventure tourism to its extremist level with minimum risk and maximum adrenalin return.
45–60 seconds of freefall at 200 kph Afternoon or full day tours available.
www.skydivewanaka.com 

U-fly Wanaka Imagine flying yourself in a 2 seater aircraft around the Mt Aspiring National Park. No experience necessary  - a 3 minute brief on how the controls work and you are away!www.u-flywanaka.co.nz

Mou Waho Island cruise
Cruise up beautiful Lake Wanaka -walk to Arethusa Pool for spectacular views and learn about the native plant and bird life including the native Buff Weka- even plant a tree to make your contribution to reforestation of the island.
www.ecowanaka.co.nz

The Siberia Experience
day trip where you fly to a remote mountain valley in Mount Aspiring National Park and walk in the forest before returning by jetboat.
All our guests love this trip.
www.siberiaexperience.co.nz

River journeys
Take jet boat up the beautiful Matukituki Valley through Lord of the Rings locations under Avalanche Glacier with wonderful views of Mt Aspiring with an optional helicopter flight around the glaciers.The Matukituki is Steph’s favourite valley. A fabulous trip. 
www.wanakariverjourneys.co.nz

Mount Aspiring & Rob Roy Glacier walks
drive up the magnificent Matukituki Valley for a full day walk to the Mount Aspiring Hut or to Rob Roy Glacier to watch ice falls from the glacier and fend off the cheeky keas. Click here for more about glacier walk.

Central Otago winery visits
there are a number of stunning wineries offering great tours and tastings including RIPPON winery in Wanaka where your hosts can offer you a unique tour and tasting experience, also visit Mt Difficulty and Carrrick at Bannockburn for lunch and tastings.
www.rippon.co.nz  
www.amisfield.co.nz
www.carrick.co.nz
www.mtdifficulty.co.nz
Stop at the Big Picture Wine Adventure to get an overview of the area and test your tasting skills in the Aroma Room.
Stop at Jones the Orchard and sample some of the stunning Central Otago produce such as cherries, apricots,peaches, nectarines, plums depending on the season. Or pick your own cherries in season . 
www.mrsjonesorchard.co.nz 
www.bigpicturewine.com

Wanaka Wine Tours
Experience Central Otago’s finest wines with a personalised tour by Wanaka Wine Tours. The region is famous for its high-quality Pinot Noirs that form 80% of local production. Small group size (2-7 people) Afternoon or full day tours available. 
www.wanakawinetours.com 

A cooking lesson with TiffanyLike to learn how to make a raspberry shortcake, or melt in the mouth gnocchi? Have a personal cooking lesson with Tiffany  and enjoy the results.

The famous Warbirds over Wanaka Air show
at Easter 2012 - the biggest 3 day show in the Southern Hemisphere featuring historic aircraft.
www.warbirdsoverwanaka.co.nz

Visit Arrowtown
Take a drive over the Crown Range with spectacular views and visit historic Arrowtown, a charming historic gold mining town on the banks of the Arrow River. Great shopping, good restaurants and cafes, art galleries, magnificent autumn colours and lovely walks in the area make this a great day out. Have lunch at Saffron, the Postmaster’s Cottage or Mantra.
www.saffronrestaurant.co.nz 
www.mantra.net.nz.
www.postmastershouse.com

Old Cromwell and The Goldfields Mining Centre 
Old Cromwell is a historic site that was moved when Old Cromwell town was drowned in the creation of Lake Dunstan.  Visit great cafes, specialty gift ware shops.  Then drive to the Goldfields Mining Centre situated on an old Mining town.  Pan for gold and experience the gold fever.

The Heather Garden
Visit the beautiful established garden of Madge Snow just next door. Madge is a fabulous gardener. Beautiful in all seasons,especially Spring and autumn, the garden features maples, rhododendrons, azaleas, roses and much more.

Toy & Transport Museum
Eclectic collection of 30,000 classical cars, fire engines, airplanes and bikes and every toy imaginable - the result of 40 years dedicated collecting by 1 man.
www.wanakatransport.co.nz www.toymuseum.com 

New Zealand Fighter Pilot Museum 
The Museum contains a flyable collection of classic World War II fighters and trainers.
www.nzfpm.co.nz

Cinema Paradiso
A must do – small eccentric local cinema with freshly baked cookies at interval and superb home made ice cream. Each chair  or lounge is  a character filled piece from the past. Or sit in the yellow Morris Minor!
www.paradiso.net.nz

Stroll up Bullock Creek
The town has a beautiful rushing spring fed stream running through it. Wander up the reserve next to Relishes Cafe and watch the trout in the stream. A must do.

Beauty and relaxation
Have a therapeutic massage or a mieessence facial in the privacy of your room. Massages include deep tissue, sports, relaxation,  pregnancy or hot stones.
www.holistic-healthcare.co.nz
Or let us arrange a  visit to Soak Day Spa for all beauty treatments including facials, pedicures, spa packages and deep relaxation, Aroma therapy, Swedish and pregnancy massages.

Wanaka Golf
Take a turn around Wanaka's beautiful 18 hole golf course.www.wanakagolf.co.nz
Alternatively you can try Lake Hawea Golf course – a 9 hole course or for a more unusual golfing experience try Tarras Golf course, a wide open undulating course 9 hole course with sheep!

Weddings

To check out our wedding information page click here