The South Island’s two most iconic mountain resort towns are only an hour apart over the winding Crown Range. This post will help you choose which one to stay in and whether you should visit the other one on a day trip or not. Queenstown VS Wānaka Queenstown, by the shores of Lake Wakatipu, is … Read more
Our Otago Travel Guide will give you a good overview of the region. If you’re looking for posts about a particular area click on one of these links: Dunedin | Oamaru | Waitaki Valley | Wanaka | Queenstown | Arrowtown | The Catlins | Central Otago | South Otago Otago is the best of the … Read more
While planning a trip to Wānaka you’ve probably seen there’s another lake nearby with its own world-class beaches and hiking trails. Only a 15-minute drive from its famous neighbour, Lake Hāwea is far quieter place to spend your time. There are heaps of things to do in Lake Hāwea (it’s the name of the village … Read more
Wānaka is one of the top hiking destinations in New Zealand (and the world) and it can be tough choosing the right track. The best walks in Wānaka include long slogs up mountains, relaxing lakeside wanders, overnight treks to mountain huts and everything in between. This post contains affiliate links. If you click one and … Read more
A trip to Wānaka is all about the scenery. The lake is the focal point of town, and the hills and mountains that surround it are ripe for exploring. In our Wānaka travel guide you’ll find heaps of tips and ideas to make your trip a success. This post contains affiliate links — if you … Read more
Whether you want to climb mountains, stroll along lakeside tracks or just relax somewhere beautiful, Wānaka has you covered. Our Wānaka itinerary will show you how to plan your days in one of the most popular (and scenic) tourist towns in New Zealand, as well as some ideas for road trips throughout the nearby region. … Read more
Beaches aren’t the first things that come to mind when thinking about Wānaka, an inland mountain tourist town famous for hiking and skiing. Lake Wānaka dominates the area and features some stunning beaches, and nearby Lake Hāwea has good ones too. Looking for the best beaches in Wānaka? You’ve come to the right place! Downtown … Read more
Often overshadowed by the more popular lakes nearby (Wānaka, Te Anau and Wakatipu), Lake Hāwea is just as scenic and usually a lot less crowded. The Gladstone Track is the perfect mid-range hike — you’ll see beautiful views of the beach, lake and mountains from above, with plenty of chances to get down to beach … Read more
It’s no secret that Lake Wānaka is one of the prettiest lakes in New Zealand. You’ll get great views of it from town, from the mountains above and from the road when driving towards the West Coast or to Rob Roy Glacier. But what’s a trip on the lake itself like? We recently did a … Read more
One of the most popular routes to the West Coast leaves from Wānaka and goes all the way to Haast. It’s not a very long drive but it could take a while as there are heaps of things to see along the way including mountain views, waterfalls and some beautiful river areas. Are you considering … Read more