That Wānaka tree

We parked at Wanaka foreshore about 1.3kms from the tree so had a lovely walk along the foreshore on a beautiful sunny day early in December 2025. There are tiles along the way with info about the local area and NZ which made interesting reading. The tree itself is a bit scraggly after being vandalised a while ago but the backdrop is just beautiful and the surrounds also. You can park closer if you don't want the long walk!

An awesome place to visit. A pleasant walk beneath the canopy of trees along the crystal clear lake. Perfect for taking photos and enjoying quality time with family. A great spot to have lunch while the kids run around and play.

Beautiful spot in Wānaka with a gorgeous view of the lake and mountains. Infront of the tree are loads of people taking pictures, so it can be a bit crowdy, especially if it's nice out. Still worth a visit!

It's a willow tree in a lake; that's all. It's amazing the crowds (from all over the world) wanting to photo bomb it infront of a superb background. Someone will be charging to see it next! If it's busy there's another lesser tree just a bit further on the coast, and you could get 2 trees in the same photo!!

Also known as the That Wānaka Willow, it is the nickname of a willow tree located at the southern end of Lake Wānaka in the Otago region of New Zealand. The tree grows alone in the water and is a popular destination for tourists to take photos. It was planted as a fence post and unexpectedly grew. It has since become a popular destination at Lake Wanaka. It is easy to get to from the public car park nearby. Easy terrain but a fair bit walking. Check the tides before planning a visit as water can cover the tree trunk - though not totally. Popular with photographers, so you may have to wait your turn. Toilets available nearby. Cafes and restaurants available in around the lake car park. Free entry. The lake itself is a beautiful place. Lots to see. Lovely place for picnic. Great place for photography.

Wānaka is absolutely beautiful — a perfect mix of mountain scenery, a peaceful lake, and a friendly small-town vibe. The famous lone Wānaka tree is even more stunning in person, especially at sunrise or sunset when the light hits the water. Great cafés, scenic walks, and endless photo opportunities. A must-visit spot on the South Island!

There's a very photogenic tree right beside her, and there's also a Christmas tree. The photos taken here are very nice. I love it so much. I highly recommend this spot for a photo shoot.

The famous tree was a bit of a let down, I didn't find it particularly impressive and struggled to understand the hype. The real discovery was the surrounding area, ended up spending most of the time soaking in the charming neighbourhood instead of focusing on the tree or getting a photo.

I had seen photos of this tree that grows in the middle of the lake, and while driving through Wanaka I decided to make a very short detour to see the famous tree in person. It's a cool tree, and the autumn colours in March were pretty amazing. But at the end of the day, it's a tree in a lake. There were loads of tourists here, which was interesting to watch. Lots of people doing weird - ahem, interesting - photo shoots. Though the tree is something cool to see, the tourists may have been even more interesting. It's cold and windy in March, so bring a jumper or three. There aren't really places to chill, so I wouldn't plan on staying here for too long, it's just a drive by & snap a photo type of place. But definitely Instagram worthy and definitely a good time with the photo shoot watching.

Yep, it's #thatwanakatree. I tried to avoid the crowds and get some sunrise photos of the tree. Even showing up at 5:45am (before sunrise) did not give me the crown of "first person onsite". Not to worry though, there were only really 10-15 photographers around for the sunrise shots. They were all carrying professional camera gear (with tripods), so they were respectful of each other's personal space and not getting in each other's way. I can't say the same about other tourists. There is a parking lot that can fit ~20 vehicles, fewer if some of them are camper vans. If you can't find parking in the lot, there is free street parking just across the street from the lot, which will add another 3-5 minute walk for you.

The Wanaka Tree is the kind of thing you've probably never heard of before going to New Zealand. But then, once you get there, you'll see pictures of it. Not all over the place, but from time to time. It's a small tree in a lake. No, it didn't flood, causing the tree's base to be underwater temporarily, it's always like this. So in that sense, its a good thing to go see. The lake is scenic and is ringed by mountains, again adding to the scenic value of the location. However, when you get there, it's a tree in a lake. Stop, take a picture, and that's it. There's just not that much too it. Honestly, its probably a good thing that it's in the lake, as it prevents tourists from getting too close. This means that you won't have to wait for tons of people to clear away to get your shot. But make no mistake, there will be others there when you go. If you are going between Queenstown and the West Coast, stop here and check it out.

The famous Wanaka Tree of Instagram fame. When we came it was not crowded at all with maybe 2 other groups of people there. Totally worth the stop if you are nearby Wanaka and want to see the magical tree for yourself. #thewanakatree