Wanaka is nestled in the picturesque location near a lake with the same name on the South Island of New Zealand. The town is a Mecca for outdoor activities aficionados. It’s probably the only place in the country where you can find so many opportunities for active pastimes. If you’ve chosen this resort for your ski trip, we’re sure that you would like to know what it has to offer. Here are top five things to do on your ski holiday in Wanaka.
1. Explore the Nature. The town is surrounded by mountains, but its center is on the plateau behind Roy’s Bay. There is another lake, Hawea, not far from Wanaka, with a lovely village on the lake-side. The surrounding mountain peaks are great for rock climbing. Their benefit is that they are located very close to the town. Make sure to visit Roys Peak, Mount Iron, Mount Pisa, or Middle Peak. Each mountain can boast of breathtaking views.
Wanaka is a perfect place for your ski vacation. The biggest Wanaka ski fields are located just 40 minutes away from the town center. Cardrona, Treble Cone, and Snow Farm resorts offer the best snow experience both for beginners and seasoned pros.
2. Puzzling World. Puzzling World by Stuart Landsborough is one of the most famous attractions of Wanaka. This is an entertainment park for the whole family, the history of which began in 1973 with a single maze. Over the following years, a lot of interactive displays were added to the park, including the world’s first three-dimensional maze, a large “puzzling cafe”, five large optical illusion rooms, and the famous Leaning Tower of Wanaka.
3. National Toy and Transport Museum. Right outside the town boundaries, not far from the airport, the National Toy and Transport Museum opened its doors to visitors of any age. The museum has several buildings with a massive collection of toys and models of cars, trucks, aircraft, and motorbikes. The exhibition showcases more than 30,000 toys and more than 600 vehicles. The founder of the museum is Gerald Rhodes who started the collection in 1988 in Christchurch, but later he moved it to Wanaka due to its more favorable climate.
4. Cinema Paradiso. If you adore the atmosphere of old cinemas, you simply have to visit the historic Cinema Paradiso. You can take a picture in a retro car and then make yourself comfortable on a neat sofa in the auditorium. Cinema Paradiso makes sure you feel like home. And to make your experience even more enjoyable, you can watch movies sipping hot chocolate and munching on freshly-baked cookies.
5. Rippon Winery. Wanaka and its surroundings are not exactly a wine destination but it’s a home for several vineyards that are worth your attention. In fact, it’s just enough to walk along the lakeside and in half an hour you will reach the Rippon winery. The vineyard is located on a hill with fantastic views of the Lake Wanaka. There is nothing better than enjoying the fine wine of the Central Otago region while admiring the beauty of unique New Zealand’s nature.
So if you lack snow in summer, ski resorts of New Zealand welcome you. Here you will find everything you are looking for and even more. Wanaka is an ideal place for the whole family and the magical town offers lots of attraction and activities for every taste and age group.
