Destination Wanaka | Budget Car Rental

Lake Wanaka and the township of Wanaka is about 70 kilometres north of Queenstown. Lake Wanaka is a popular holiday spot for many New Zealanders. Spectacular mountain views dominate the north end of the lake. 

The lake front provides opportunities for swimming, boating, water skiing and kayaking. The lake provides great trout fishing and the surrounds offer extensive tramping, hiking and mountain climbing. 

Lake Wanaka is New Zealand’s fourth largest lake and is renowned for its clear, blue waters. Yachting, jet-boating and pleasure boating are features of Lake Wanaka. 

The region has an intriguing history and was in the mid 1800s a major gold mining centre. As the gold ran out the region moved on to pastoral development and high-country farming. With the development of excellent accommodation, tourism has become an important part of Wanaka’s development. 

Several touring routes pass through Lake Wanaka, including State Highway 6, which runs down the West Coast and through to Queenstown and Fiordland. 

Lake Wanaka is a great base for South Island explorations. Drive to Christchurch via Mt Cook or down to Dunedin and Southland and from Lake Wanaka you can follow the Southern Scenic Route around the Catlins Coast, to either Invercargill or Te Anau. 

Lake Wanaka is a complete winter sports destination. Cardrona and Treble Cone are wonderful downhill ski-fields and there are plenty of opportunities for heli-skiing. There is the opportunity for spectacular sight-seeing with Southern Alps Air operating from Wanaka township. The Siberia Experience offers a unique combination of a plane flight, a three-hour comfortable walk and a scenic jet boat ride.
A range of hotels, motels and lodges ensure that all budgets and accommodation requirements are available. A selection of restaurants, cafés and bars provide warm welcomes and great South Island hospitality. On a hill overlooking the lake is Wanaka Golf Club, which was opened in 1927 and provides challenging golf in magnificent surroundings. 

Wanaka is a 12 month resort, with wonderful skiing and alpine sports during winter, swimming, boating, cafés and a wide range of outdoor sports available in the summer months. Sophisticated, natural, welcoming and spectacular, Wanaka and its lake are worth the scenic road trip. 

Other popular destinations include: