Wanaka is one of the cutest lakeside towns on the South Island of New Zealand. And locals often refer to Wanaka as ‘Queenstown’s little sister’. And once you’ve visited both towns, you’ll understand why. They look very similar to one another, but Wanaka has more of a chilled-out vibe.
An Instagram-famous tree, jetskiing, and stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Wanaka, and plenty of scenic hikes – there’s enough in Wanaka to see and do to warrant spending more than 3 days here. But if you’re on a tight schedule, you can still see the best of Wanaka in one day.
Wanaka holds a special place in my heart; we lived in nearby Queenstown for years and visited Wanaka regularly. And so many times we considered moving to Wanaka, but our jobs kept us in Queenstown. So, here’s our ultimate guide to spending one day in Wanaka.
8 Things to Do in 24 Hours in Wanaka
Yep, 24 hours in Wanaka may seem like a short amount of time, but you’d be surprised at how much you can fit into one day here. As long as you stick to a schedule and follow my list below (in that order, preferably), you could fit up to 8 activities into a day in Wanaka.
Hike Roy’s Peak
Wanaka is home to one of the most famous hikes in New Zealand – the very photogenic Roy’s Peak. It’s a long and uneventful uphill climb to the summit, but the view from the summit makes it all worthwhile! This 16 km round-trip hike is crazy-popular, and you may have to line up to snap a photo at the top!
This hike can take between 5 to 7 hours to complete, depending on your pace and fitness level. The trail is well-marked, starting from the Roy’s Peak car park, and gradually ascends to the summit at 1,578 meters (5,177 feet).
Definitely start this hike early (I’d say around 6 am ) to beat the crowds and the midday sun, and come prepared with water, snacks, and proper hiking boots.
Explore the town
Even though we lived in Queenstown for 4 years, any time I visited Wanaka on a day trip, I was always tempted to move here. Looks-wise, Wanaka appears very similar to Queenstown – in that it’s also a scenic, lakeside town with loads of adventure activities. But Wanaka has a more relaxed, bohemian vibe than its more famous neighbor, and that’s what always drew me to it.
I’d start my walk around Wanaka with a coffee from The Coffee Shack on Brownston Street, then I’d wander in and out of the cute stores on Brownston Street and Ardmore Street – we especially like Wools of Wanaka and Wonder Room.
For lunch, you can’t go wrong with Big Fig Wanaka on Ardmore Street – across from the lake. After an early lunch, I recommend taking a quick stroll along the lake to a very famous tree (see below!)
#thatwanakatree
Next, be sure to check out the Wanaka tree, a tree so famous it has its own hashtag #thatwanakatree. It’s a short walk along the lakefront to the tree, just make a beeline for the crowd of people gathered on the Southern end of the lake.
Wine tasting at Rippon Winery
If you’re after a winery with a view, then look no further than Rippon Winery, which has arguably the best view of any winery we’ve visited. We actually celebrated my birthday here with a wine tasting, and it was certainly a memorable day.
All wine tastings are free of charge but must be booked in advance on their website. You then have the opportunity to buy their wine at the end of the tasting, which we did – we got their Pinot Noir and their Riesling.
Puzzling World
If you’re visiting with kids, then be sure to check out Puzzling World – a multi-level outdoor maze with optical illusion rooms, and more.
Kick off your visit here with a photo opp at the famous Leaning Tower of Wanaka – a gravity-defying tower. As I said, inside, there are Illusion Rooms that mess with your eyes and perceptions, like a room where water flows uphill and a hall where faces seem to follow you. The Great Maze is an outdoor adventure that’s both frustrating and fun as you try to find your way through.
Lake Hawea
Lake Hawea, a 15-minute drive from Wanaka, is also worth checking out during your day in Wanaka. And there are several viewpoints that are easily accessible from the road.
Blue Pools
An hour from Wanaka and around 40 minutes from Lake Hawea is the gorgeous Blue Pools. Which live up to their name, as the water here is the brightest shade of blue. It’s a short walk from the car park to the pools (we had to park on the road as it was so busy) and we spent around an hour here strolling around and taking lots of photos.
Cinema Paradiso
It’s rare I’ll add a cinema to my list of things to do in a destination, but the quirky Cinema Paradiso in Wanaka is, to me, a must-visit. This tiny cinema on Brownston Street is unique because instead of regular theater chairs, you can choose from a 3-seater couch, a comfy armchair, or even a car. There’s also an intermission halfway through, which is a cute touch.
For dinner this evening, we really like Francesca’s Italian Kitchen – their woodfired pizzas are incredible. Or Muttonbird is a great choice too, it’s one of the best restaurants in Wanaka.
And if you have more time …
Honestly, I highly recommend spending much more than one day in Wanaka – to me, 3-5 days in Wanaka is ideal. But, I know that’s not always possible, especially when there’s so much beauty on the South Island still to explore.
Go skiing at Cardrona
If you plan to visit Wanaka in the winter, then I highly recommend going skiing in nearby Cardrona. It’s one of our favorite ski resorts in the Queenstown area – we love its epic panoramic views and massive ski area spread across three wide-open bowls. And this is actually where I first learned to ski!
This resort is perfect for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. You’ll find a great mix of terrain, from gentle slopes for beginners to challenging runs for experts. One of the big draws to ‘Cardies’ is the world-famous freestyle terrain park. Don’t be surprised to see professional riders hanging out here through winter. There are four terrain parks and two halfpipes. If you’re brave, you can show off your skills or watch pros practice for international competitions.
Ticket prices for Cardrona: From $172 CAD for a day pass, a Learner Pass will be less.
Go kayaking on Lake Wanaka
In the warmer months, what better way to take in Wanaka’s stunning natural scenery than by kayaking on the lake? A popular option is to do a tour that takes you out to Ruby Island – you’ll kayak along the coast to the island, where you can enjoy a picnic, go on a hike, or simply relax on the beach there. And then, a boat will pick you up to take you back to Wanaka.
Check out the most-booked tours in Wanaka here –
Do a half-day wine tour
As you may already know, the wine produced on the South Island of New Zealand is world-famous. Particularly, it’s Pinot Noir variety. On this afternoon wine tour, you will get to visit 4 boutique wineries around Wanaka and taste their best wines. And at one of the wineries, you’ll have a local food and wine pairing. You’ll learn how they grow and make their wine from the winemakers themselves.
➡️ Related Read: How to spend 24 hours in Queenstown
Where to Stay in Wanaka
We stayed at the Bella Vista Wanaka Motel. It’s conveniently located just 300 meters from the town center, and our studio apartment had a small kitchenette (very handy!)
If you’re on a budget Adventure House Wanaka is a great shout. This homely hostel is centrally located at just a 2-minute walk to the beach, and it’s super clean.
While if you fancy splurging – Marina Views Luxury Apartment is the place for you! This super-luxurious and popular 3-bedroom apartment boasts lake views and even has access to a swimming pool.
Getting to Wanaka
The most popular way to get to Wanaka is to drive here from Queenstown, which will take just over an hour. You must drive via the Crown Range Road, aka the highest main road in New Zealand. And it’s quite steep and narrow in sections, so you will need to have your wits about you on this drive. In winter, it may be icy in parts, and so winter tires are needed.
There is a bus service which operates from Athol Street in Queenstown, and it takes around an hour and 45 minutes.
Renting a car is popular in New Zealand, and we tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
Thanks for Reading!
In short, Wanaka is one of the most stunning towns in New Zealand. The lake, backdropped by the Southern Alps, is a breathtaking sight, and there’s plenty of awesome hikes (Roy’s Peak) and adventure activities to fill a good chunk of time here. Tell me, how did you find our guide to one day in Wanaka?
You may also enjoy reading –
Road trip from Queenstown to Mount Cook (10 Best Stops)
BEST Stops on the Southern Scenic Route (From Dunedin to Queenstown)
How to Spend 3 Days in Queenstown: Our Ideal Itinerary
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Last Updated on September 30, 2025 by snaphappytravel