6 Wanaka Activities off the Slopes & FREE!

There’s no shortage of things to do in Wanaka off the slopes and — best of all — most of them are free! 

We thought we would share some of our favourites:

1. Hike the Rob Roy Glacier. The Rob Roy glacier is a hanging glacier located in the Mt Aspiring National Park, a One hour drive from Wanaka through the Matukituki valley. A moderate three hour round trip you’ll see snowfields, native bush, sheer rock faces, waterfalls and the rushing Matukituki river. Most of the walk is within the forest, with the last 100m opening out onto an alpine meadow just underneath the glacier.
2. Wishbone Falls. At 77 metres high these falls are truly spectacular. Located at the entrance to the Mt Aspiring National Park, an hours drive from Wanaka, they cascade down glacier-hewn rock to a calm pool beneath. A popular swimming spot, and the perfect place to take a picnic.
3. Walk the Millennium track. This gentle track traverses the lake edge from Waterfall creek to Glendhu Bay. Offering some of the best views in Wanaka this undulating hike is a relaxing way to take in  the best of Wanaka scenery. You also have the option of not walking the full way to Glendhu — still a beautiful and fulfilling walk.
4. Bike the outlet track. Known as the ‘Outlet Track’ due to the fact that it begins where the river joins with Lake Wanaka. Although popular with bit walkers and bike, we believe the best way to experience this one is from two wheels. You’ll see pine trees, native bush, sheer cliffs and beautiful poplars that turn bright orange in the Autumn.
5. Have a picnic by the lake.  When you see Wanaka, you’ll see why this one’s a no-brainer. The lake is framed by mountains and pine forest, and the air is crisp and clean. We think there's no better way to experience the beauty of this town than grabbing a gourmet food hamper and settling in on the lake edge after a day up the mountain.
6. Visit the Wanaka Tree. The iconic lone willow tree standing in Lake Wanaka is a popular spot for photography and a must-visit location. You can walk or bike along the lakefront to reach the Wanaka Tree and take in the stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

We’re a little biased (because Wanaka is our home) but we heartily recommend including a little time in Wanaka to your New Zealand Ski Holiday, even if you base yourself in Queenstown. An hour's drive from New Zealand’s adventure capital, Wanaka is the quieter cousin. But what it lacks in bright lights and adventure experiences it makes up for in truly spectacular scenery.

Whether you're passing through or here for a few days, there no shortage of things to do in Wanaka. Contact one of our experienced ski specialists today to start planning your ultimate winter getaway with Ski New Zealand.

See more ideas and inspiration for New Zealand travel with our sister company - Discover New Zealand.