Adventure in Wanaka

Ready to get your adrenaline pumping? You've come to the right place. Wanaka is one of the world's great adventure hubs. With lakes, glaciers and mountains to explore, there's no end to epic adventure activities in Wanaka.

Wanaka is nature's playground. There are glaciers to climb, slopes to shred and waters to dive into. Adventurous types, rest assured - it's not about finding things to do in Wanaka; it's about deciding what to do first.

Planning a trip is super easy. Wanaka offers convenient access to all sorts of natural wonders. You'll find ski slopes, the lake and World Heritage-listed Mount Aspiring National Park all within a short drive of your Wanaka accommodation.

With countless adventures to throw yourself into, Wanaka is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So, bring a friend, bring a date or bring your mom: all will be happy in Wanaka.

Image: Harris Mountain Heliski

Air Adventures

  • Calling all adrenaline junkies! Are you ready to skydive from 15,000 feet? Wanaka is the place. But if you'd rather stay inside the plane, you can take a scenic flight to admire the vistas.
  • A helicopter can also take your adventures to great heights. Go heli-skiing, heli-hiking or test your mettle with New Zealand's highest heli-biking.
  • Do you want to grab the controls? Whether you're a total beginner or have some experience under your belt, you can take flying lessons in Wanaka.

Image: Lake Wanaka Tourism

Water Adventures

  • Not all adventure activities in Wanaka are up in the air. There are lots of things to do on Lake Wanaka. Get your toes wet kayaking, stand-up paddle (SUP) boarding and rafting.
  • If you've got a need for speed, jet-boating into Mount Aspiring National Park is a must-do. Explore the spectacular scenery of the Southern Alps at top speeds.
  • Can't decide? Book a combo tour to try a bit of everything. Jet-boat into the National Park and kayak back, or SUP down the river and jet-boat back.

Image: Wildwire Wanaka

Land Adventures

  • Wondering what to do back on dry land? There's climbing, mountaineering, hiking and so much more.
  • You're in canyoning country here. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly climb or a serious challenge, there's a canyoning excursion for you.
  • Did you know you can climb up a waterfall? 'Lord of the Rungs' is the world's highest via ferrata waterfall climb. You won't believe the views.

Created in partnership with Lake Wanaka Tourism