Sheltered from the outside world by the magnificence of majestic mountain peaks, Lake Wanaka welcomes locals and foreign visitors, captivating them with its clear waters, gray pebble beaches, dazzling panorama and special atmosphere of a lost paradise full of fabulous charm and exceptional beauty. The lake itself, as well as separated from it only by a narrow strip of land, Neck, Lake Javea, was formed as a result of the work of glaciers more than 10 thousand years ago.
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| Lake Wanaka New Zealand |
Special interest in the lakes arose after gold was discovered in these places in the 1870s. As the "gold rush" subsided, the tiny town of Wanaka, which arose on the shores of the lake of the same name, originally as a settlement of gold prospectors, practically did not develop, and the population lived off agriculture. Today, tourism has become a new gold mine, requiring careful care of the environment and ensuring the development of urban infrastructure. Still modest in size, Wanaka, one of the many mountain villages in the central part of the South Island, offers guests numerous shops and souvenir shops, cozy cafes, elegant restaurants and affordable bars. The city even has its own airport with daily flights from Queenstown and Christchurch.
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| Lake Wanaka New Zealand |
The fourth largest lake in New Zealand, Wanaka (and its depth is 300 meters) attracts tourists not only with its clear blue waters, beautiful scenery and the special calm and peaceful mood inherent in this place, but also offers guests a variety of forms of leisure. Numerous trails, ideal for hiking and mountain biking, wind around both lakes. There are idyllic campsites along the banks. In summer, the lake is perfect for swimming, sailing, windsurfing and fishing. And from one of the surrounding peaks, it’s so cool to go down on a glider, surveying the amazing landscapes of a magical mountain lake.
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| Lake Wanaka New Zealand |
In winter, the Cardrona and Treble Cone ski resorts, located near the lake, welcome all winter sports enthusiasts. In addition, the lake is within easy reach of the pearl of the South Island, Mount Aspiring (3027 m), located in one of the largest national parks in the country.
Location
Lake Wanaka is located in a mountain valley in the central part of the South Island.
Climate
Moderate. In the winter months, the temperature ranges from + 1° C to + 10° C, in the summer - from + 10° C to + 22° C.
How to get there
The local airport receives daily flights from Queenstown and Christchurch. Also, Lake Wanaka can be reached from nearby Queenstown, whose international airport receives flights from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland and Christchurch.