Activities - Outdoors | Wanaka Bakpaka Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

Lake Wanaka is New Zealand's fourth largest lake and has crystal clear blue waters that reflect the dramatic landscape.

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Sky Diving

Wanaka skydiving offers adrenaline-pumping adventure and excitement! Jump out of an airplane on a tandem skydive in Wanaka and experience freefall in a safe, yet fun-filled environment. Experienced skydivers can choose to jump by themselves.

Paragliding

New Zealand's Highest Tandem Paragliding. Simply walk, jog, run…and you’re airborne. It’s smooth, quiet… pure flying. Cruise along valley walls and right beside massive waterfalls. Choose a gentle descent or wingovers and spirals and land softly down next to your car.

Jet Skiing & Boating

Hold on tight and enjoy a scenic jet boat ride along gorgeous coastlines, around picturesque lakes or through stunning rivers. Another option is to book in a lesson with Watersports Wanaka.

Boating & Kayaking

Whether you want to explore beautiful rivers and coastlines, or whether white water kayaking on swiftly flowing rivers are more your thing, there is options to suit everyone. Canoeing and kayaking trips in Wanaka are available to suit all levels of confidence and experience, and may combine other activities.

Canyoning

Explore natural underground formations and caves with a caving or canyoning expedition in Wanaka. Go caving or canyoning in Wanaka and marvel at glowworm displays, cave formations and sculptured rocks.

Cardrona

Cardrona Alpine Resort is located 20 minutes from Wanaka. Cardrona Ski Field offers great skiing and snowboarding with terrain for all skiing levels.

Treble Cone

Treble Cone is a commercial ski field located about 35 minutes drive from Wanaka. Treble Cone boasts amazing views, powder snow and large, long ski and snowboarding slopes.

Heli skiing

Heliskiing in Wanaka is a top adrenalin sport and the ultimate snow experience. Accessed by helicopter, Wanaka heliskiing involves downhill skiing or snowboarding in natural, off-trail environments.

Roy's Peak

The all-encompassing panorama from this 1,578-metre summit includes most of Lake Wanaka, the surrounding peaks and Mount Aspiring/Tititea. This is an exposed track and temperatures can drop quickly, even in mid-summer. Please take warm and windproof clothing.
5-6hr return – 11km
Track closed for lambing 1 October to 10 November.

Diamond Lake

Follow the 4WD track from the carpark, climbing to the lake where the circuit track is marked. Another track winds up to a lookout above Diamond Lake. Beyond here, there’s a choice of the Lake Wanaka Lookout, off to the right or to Rocky Mountain’s 775-metre summit via a loop track. Spectacular views include Lake Wanaka and a skyline dominated by the surrounding peaks. The distinct shape of Mt Aspiring/Tititea lies to the west.
Rocky Mountain Summit Track return 3hrs – 7km
Not recommended during winter months due to icy conditions.

Rob Roy Glacier

The track is an ideal entry point to Mt Aspiring National Park - an area of spectacular alpine scenery, snowfields, glaciers, sheer rock cliffs and waterfalls.
Time: 3-4 hours, bushline and return
Distance: 10 km
Grade: Reasonable fitness required

Mt. Iron

Mount Iron is an impressive, glacier-carved, 240-metre rocky knoll. From its summit a great panorama unfolds: Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, the Cardrona and Upper Clutha Valleys and all the surrounding peaks; many of them in Mount Aspiring National Park in the west.
Time: 1.5 hours
Distance: 4.5 km
Grade: Steep in places both up and downhill

Glendhu Bay Track

This lakeside walking/bike track heads west from Wanaka around the lakeshore to Glendhu Bay, which is a popular camping area in summer time. The track crosses the fringe of the Edgewater Resort’s manicured lawns on its way to the Waterfall Creek Access Rd. There is a parking area here and the track continues beyond, crossing Waterfall Creek on a footbridge.
4hr return – 15km

Diamond Lake

It starts from the west end of Roys Bay, and soon reaches Wanaka Station Park, a beautiful picnic area, on the left. The track then winds along the lake’s western shores for superb views, the track passes Edgewater Resort and Rippon Vineyard and on to Waterfall Creek.
1hr – 2.5km