Wanaka Things to Do: Top Attractions, Free & Family Activities

Planning a trip to Wanaka and feeling a little overwhelmed by the options? You’re not alone. With a lake that looks like a postcard and hiking trails that top bucket lists, this South Island town packs a lot into a small map. Whether you’re chasing free lakefront walks or rainy-day hideouts, this guide breaks down the best things to do in Wanaka by season, cost, and age group — so you can spend less time deciding and more time exploring.

Population: Approximately 12,000 ·
Elevation: 273 m (896 ft) ·
Key Attraction: #ThatWanakaTree ·
Signature Activity: Hiking (Roy’s Peak, Isthmus Peak) ·
Best Time to Visit: Year-round; summer for hiking, winter for skiing

What are the top 10 things to do in Wanaka?

Wanaka’s reputation as an outdoor playground is no accident. The top 10 list blends iconic natural sights with adrenaline-driven activities and family pit stops. Here’s a curated look at the must-sees.

Iconic spots: Lake Wanaka and #ThatWanakaTree

No visit is complete without a walk to the famous willow tree standing alone in Lake Wanaka. It’s free, constantly photographed, and easy to reach from the lakefront. The official tourism board lists the lakeshore walk as one of the best free activities in the region (Wānaka Tourism (local tourism authority)).

Adventure activities: skydiving, jet boating, paragliding

For thrill-seekers, Wanaka offers tandem skydives over the lake, jet boat rides on the Clutha River, and paragliding off the mountains. The Wanaka Tourism Board lists these as signature adventure experiences (Wanaka Tourism (official destination guide)).

Hiking trails: Roy’s Peak, Isthmus Peak, Rocky Mountain

Roy’s Peak is Wanaka’s most famous day hike, offering panoramic views of the lake and Southern Alps. According to NZ Voice (local travel blog), the walk is free although the car park may request a NZ$5 donation. Isthmus Peak is a less crowded alternative with similar elevation gains.

Family attractions: Puzzling World, lavender farm

Puzzling World — with its maze and optical illusions — is open year-round and works for all ages (Kiwi Families (family travel guide)). The Wanaka Lavender Farm, in bloom from December to March, lets visitors see animals and shop even outside lavender season (NZ Travel Tips (family blog)).

What are the best things to do in Wanaka with kids?

Families will find plenty of low-key, low-cost options that keep children engaged without requiring a full-day commitment.

Puzzling World – mazes and optical illusions

The indoor and undercover attractions at Puzzling World make it a reliable choice for any weather. It’s consistently listed among top family-friendly activities in Wanaka (Kiwi Families (family travel guide)).

National Transport and Toy Museum

This museum houses vintage cars, planes, and a huge collection of toys — another excellent rainy-day fallback. The same family guide includes it as a winter option (Kiwi Families (family travel guide)).

Lakefront playground and swimming

The Wanaka lakefront has a playground with a dinosaur theme — known as the Dinosaur Park — which is free and popular with young kids (NZ Pocket Guide (travel resource)). Glendhu Bay, about 10 minutes from town, offers a free swim beach (NZ Family Travel (family travel site)).

Easy hikes like Outlet Track

Waterfall Creek Track is a flat 3.5 km walk that ends at a small waterfall, ideal for little legs (NZ Voice (local blog)). Mount Iron is another family-friendly option with panoramic views (NZ Family Travel (family travel site)).

The pattern: Wanaka with kids works best when you mix one paid indoor attraction (Puzzling World) with free outdoor play (beaches, playgrounds, short walks). Rainy days are covered by the toy museum and cinema.

What are the best free things to do in Wanaka?

Wanaka is surprisingly generous to budget travellers. Most of its natural beauty costs nothing to enjoy.

Walk to #ThatWanakaTree

The famous willow tree is a free photo op and one of the town’s most visited spots (NZ Pocket Guide (travel authority)). Access is from the lakefront path.

Hike the Lake Wanaka Waterfront

The lakeshore walk is promoted as a free family activity and is among the most photographed lakefront areas in New Zealand (NZ Family Travel (family travel site)).

Visit the Wanaka lakefront and beaches

Glendhu Bay, Bremner Bay, and Eely Point all offer free swimming and picnic spots. The local tourism guide highlights free BBQs at some locations (Wānaka Tourism (free activities guide)).

Explore the town’s street art and public gardens

The Wanaka Artisan Market runs every Thursday from 3 pm to 6 pm and is free to browse (Must Do New Zealand (activity guide)). Additional free options include Northlake Pump Track and Sticky Forest walking paths (Must Do New Zealand (activity guide)).

The takeaway: free activities in Wanaka centre around the lake and its walking tracks. You could easily fill two full days without spending a dollar on entry fees.

What are the best things to do in Wanaka on a rainy day?

Even when the weather turns, Wanaka has enough indoor and undercover options to salvage your plans.

Puzzling World (indoor and undercover)

With its indoor optical illusions and a large undercover maze area, Puzzling World is a solid choice for all ages in wet weather (Kiwi Families (family travel guide)).

Wanaka Museum of Transport

The National Transport and Toy Museum is completely indoor and houses one of the largest private collections in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s recommended for rainy-day visits by family travel guides (Kiwi Families (family travel guide)).

Cinema Paradiso for films and snacks

This quirky independent cinema shows current movies and serves homemade cookies during intermission. It’s a local institution and a perfect rainy-day hideout (Kiwi Families (family travel guide)).

Indoor rock climbing at Wanaka Climbing Gym

For active families, the climbing gym offers a full day of indoor bouldering and top-roping.

The implication: a rainy day in Wanaka doesn’t mean a wasted day. Puzzling World and the toy museum alone can fill 4-5 hours, and Cinema Paradiso rounds out the evening.

What are the best things to do in Wanaka in summer?

Summer (December–February) is peak season for good reason: long daylight hours, warm temperatures, and every outdoor activity firing on all cylinders.

Hiking peak season: Roy’s Peak, Isthmus Peak

The trails are driest and the views are clearest in summer. Start early to avoid crowds — Roy’s Peak sees the heaviest traffic (NZ Family Travel (family travel site)).

Lake swimming and kayaking

Lake Wanaka’s water temperature is more forgiving in summer. Kayaking around Mou Waho Island by water taxi is a popular excursion (Kiwi Families (family travel guide)).

Summer festivals and outdoor markets

The Wanaka Artisan Market operates year-round but expands in summer. The town also hosts outdoor concerts and events.

Water sports: jet boating, paddleboarding

Jet boating and stand-up paddleboarding are go-to summer activities. Bike Glendhu, a mountain bike park, opens for the season (Kiwi Families (family travel guide)).

Why this matters: for anyone visiting in summer, the biggest challenge isn’t finding things to do — it’s choosing what to leave out. Prioritise one big hike, one water activity, and one evening market.

“Three nights in Wanaka is the ideal amount for first-time visitors — long enough to hit the main sights without rushing.”

— Petrinaradar.com travel blogger

“Wānaka is New Zealand’s premier adventure destination, offering everything from skydiving to jet boating against a stunning alpine backdrop.”

— Wanaka Tourism Board (wanaka.co.nz)

For travellers who’ve done Queenstown, Wanaka offers a more relaxed pace with similar scenery and lower prices. The choice is clear: if you want a quiet lake morning followed by an afternoon hike, Wanaka delivers. For those looking to pack in as many activities as possible, three days in Wanaka followed by a day in Queenstown is a winning combination.

If you’re after quirky rainy-day ideas, Wanakas free and unusual activities provides plenty of inspiration.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note: This article was published as an independent guide. Prices and hours may change; check individual attraction websites before visiting. For more New Zealand travel ideas, see our guides on What to Do in Invercargill and What’s On in Wellington.