Photo · Wikimedia Commons
(South Island) — Destination
Mountains & quiet lakes
Best time
Dec–Mar for trails, Jul–Sep for snow
Suggested stay
2–3 days
April's autumn colour is the locals' favourite.
(01) — A field note
Queenstown's quieter, gentler neighbour — a lakeside town circled by mountains and famous for one perfectly lonely tree.
01
Wānaka wraps around the southern end of its namesake lake, an hour's drive north of Queenstown via the dramatic Crown Range. The town is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park and home of #ThatWānakaTree, the willow growing solo in the shallows.
02
A compact food scene punches above its weight — wood-fired pizza on the lake, modern bistros on Ardmore Street, and small-batch coffee roasters. The Cardrona Hotel (1863), 25 minutes south, is a classic stop for a long pub lunch.
03
Choose lakefront apartments in town, or design-led lodges in the hills above Glendhu Bay and on the Cardrona Valley road. Treble Cone and Cardrona ski fields are both under an hour away in winter.
Worth the Detour · Wānaka → Queenstown via the Crown Range
+1 hourThe Cardrona Hotel (1863) is one of the country's oldest and most photographed pubs — and the Crown Range road over is the highest sealed pass in New Zealand.
While you're thereThe pub garden in summer, mulled wine by the fire in winter, and the Crown Range lookout on the way over.
Local Picks — Wānaka
Come at sunrise.
#ThatWānakaTree
The famous willow before the crowds, in the best light of the day.
A Kiwi would go here.
The Cardrona Hotel
The 1863 pub on the Crown Range road — garden in summer, fire in winter.
Editorial recommendations — no paid placement.
(Book) — Wānaka
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(Plan) — Wānaka
Ideas, experiences and trusted specialists to shape your visit — start with our guides.
Luxury Lodge · Taupō
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Winery & Cellar Door · Marlborough
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All-day Restaurant · Auckland CBD
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Get Featured →Sources & useful links
Road conditions, closures and alpine passes change daily. Check the official journey planner on the morning you travel. Opening hours, prices and availability are set by each business and change without notice. Confirm directly before making the trip.
Last checked 21 August 2026
