Lake Wānaka

We went early in the morning and the wind was very chilling as the sun rises slowly the summer heat was perfect.

Beautiful lake with chalets and hotels lining is shores on the one end and massive mountain ranges on the other. Roy's peak is accessed from here which is a hike that takes you to that place you see on Instagram with sprawling views of the lake in all its glory. For the less adventurous, there are kayaks available to rent and other adventure activities

A nice place for a picnic Ample parking space Calm cool and relaxing place Crystal clear water Walking patch with ducks to accompany either on walking picnic spots or water

It’s one of my most favourite places in South Island. Gorgeous lake, calm and peaceful, perfect for walking, jogging, bike rides.

A highlight of the town and a nice place for walking around. I appreciated that there were so many nice public toilets, especially in the part that touches the town. It just means that anyone can really spend a long time at the lake and chill there.

Small little town and a big lake. The famous tree is about a 15 minute walk from the town and can be done near the road or the water. The tree is much closer to the edge of the lake than expected, and much smaller than the photos. Nice pit stop in between a long car or bus ride. The weather can change the experience, definitely plan ahead if this is something you want to include in your trip!

Beautiful lake with incredible views from every angle. We had mostly sunny conditions with just a few clouds, and the lighting was amazing for hours. If you want to add a walk to your visit, it may be best to stick to the beach instead of walking on the Waterfall trail. There were a lot of bikers enjoying the weather, so we found that the beach allowed our group to stick to a slower pace.

Great View, you can drive straight to lake, not much walking involved.

I have been wanting to travel to New Zealand it seems like forever! On my bucket list of places to photograph was The Wanaka Tree. This world renowned tree is growing just offshore of Lake Wanaka and depending on the water level can give the illusion of it floating on the water when the tide is high. There were three variables that I was crossing my fingers would bless me with good conditions to photograph it. High water, snow on the distant mountain range and no wind. Well, I was truly blessed. The first day was an evening shot since we got into Wanaka a bit late from Queenstown, there were clouds covering the tops of the mountains, but there was a fireworks show on the shore just opposite the tree that we could see from our vantage point. The next morning's early sunrise blessed us with beautiful conditions! It was very chilly though and we were the only ones there very early before the sun rose. Gradually, more photographers started to show up, but we had our spots staked out! It was a memorable morning and I estimate I shot approx 150 photos! It was definitely a dream come true to finally come here and photograph this beautiful scene! It was definitely worth the wait and long journey... Five Beautiful Stars * * * * *

The lake itself is similar to Taupo both in terms of view, and setting, as being nestled in a town with a multitude of shops and restaurants around. Accommodations are plenty as well. Despite it looking marvelous as it is, be sure to visit lake Hawea.

Queenstown gets a lot of hype (for obvious reasons), but only an hour away is the sparkly town of Wanaka. It deserves at least 2-3 days of your attention, during a trip to the south island. The Lake itself beams with magnificence, surrounded by mountains, and mirroring the great skies above. On the waterfront, there are places to rent kayaks, and in town, vendors that rent bikes. I highly recommend that you do both. For hikers, there is Roy's Peak, which is well worth the trek up (but definitely not for beginning hikers). Just don't be one of those folks who stop over at the Wanaka Tree to snap a selfie, then hit the road again. Stop and enjoy this town. It is magical.

Serene. Quiet. Picturesque. Lake Wanaka is definitely one of the must-see locations of the South Island. Great for nature lovers and photographers all year round. We were there in May and June (right around winter), and it was perfect for a brisk walk through the woods with the snowcapped mountains in the background. You will also find photographers of all levels out there at dawn and dusk to capture the perfect shot of the unique Wanaka Tree. Lucky for us, there weren't too many people when we were there. It's just the perfect place to sit, meditate, and relax.