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Give us sunshine in Wānaka, and we’ll give you locals in the hills with toys in hand and adrenaline in the veins before the first rays have even touched the horizon.
Paragliding, biking, climbing, hiking, jet boating, canyoning, quad biking, you name it. By any and all means, Wānaka is the adventure seeker’s paradise, where locals, passers through and seasonal converts come to chase the highs, thrills and epic downhills of Wānaka’s activities amongst stunning landscapes – whether by land, lake or sky. Combine that zest for adventure with local guides, operators and experts at the top of their craft, and you’ll never feel better pushing new limits.
Here’s our ultimate guide to exploring Wānaka the wilder way.
The hills, peaks and mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park and its surrounds are the highlight of the skyline and the backbone of the Wānaka adventure scene. Dishing up epic views, trails and terrain, our landscapes aren’t just there to be looked at. They’re there to be enjoyed, in all their adrenaline-fuelled glory.
with Aspiring Guides, Wānaka Mountain Guides, and Best Foot Forward NZ
The best way to explore our hills is to get amongst them. Whether you’re summiting peaks, lining up bespoke backcountry adventures, learning new mountaineering skills or tackling multi-day treks into Mount Aspiring National Park, our local operators know these hills like no one else, and are expertly qualified to get you safely out and back.
at Bike Glendhu and Cardrona Bike Park
Nothing works the pulse quite like a hot lap or twelve at Bike Glendhu. A primarily pedal-powered mountain bike park just ten minutes from Wānaka, Bike Glendhu has an enormous series of trails and terrain for every ability, as well as shuttles, rental bikes, e-bikes, and a cold brew to wash it all down at the end of the ride.
Over at Cardrona Bike Park (open December to March), the lifts do the climbing so you can focus on the descent. New Zealand’s highest alpine bike park has trails for everyone, including a stunning 10km run down to the Cardrona Hotel. Bike hire, lessons, and Friday night sessions under the lights? Yes please.
with Wānaka Mountain Guides, Aspiring Guides, and Basecamp Adventures
Lace up your climbing shoes, tighten your harness, and tackle an indoor or outdoor climb in Wānaka. Whether you know the ropes or it’s your first time up the wall, Wānaka Mountain Guides offers tailored climbing experiences to suit every ability, or enjoy an indoor session at Basecamp Adventures.
with The Cardrona
Hoon through the Cardrona Valley by horse or by quad bike, or give both a whirl at The Cardrona. Suitable for beginners through to advanced riders, enjoy a stunning ride through the Pisa Range with views over the Cardrona Valley.
Live out your ranch dreams with an overnight horse trek through West Wānaka Station, thanks to Wānaka Horse Trekking. Whether a two-hour ride or the full overnight experience, there’s no better way to soak up the land, connect with nature, and experience the world the cowboy way.
Lakes, rivers, waterfalls, we’re not fussy. Water adventures bring a new element to Wānaka’s adrenaline scene, and who are we to say no? Here are a few of our favourite ways to adventure by water.
with Deep Canyon, South Canyons, and Wildwire
Navigate through waterfalls, down natural slides, leap into mountain pools and adventure down canyons, all thanks to the expert guidance of our local canyoning operators. Take a guided canyoning trip in Wānaka, and explore Mount Aspiring National Park like never before.
with Wānaka River Journeys
Soak up the mighty Matukituki River with a thrilling packraft adventure. Paddle through wave trains, into calm eddies, and alongside stunning landscapes as you follow the flow of the river.
with Wilkin River Jets, Wānaka River Journeys, and Go Jets Wānaka
Did someone say high-speed jet boating? Carve through stunning rivers, shaped by glaciers and framed by impressive peaks. Skim across crystal-clear shallows and braided streams, drift around corners, and brace yourself for those famous jet spins.
with Lakeland Wānaka
Get behind the wheel of a jet ski, let the wind steal your breath, go full Hollywood on your hair, and make you feel alive. And don’t get us started on the views. With Lakeland Wānaka, you can rent a jet ski or hold on for a wild jet boat adventure on the lake. And if you can’t decide, por qué no los dos?
Keeping your feet on the ground is overrated, anyway. Especially when the alternative is birds-eye views of our stunning landscapes, whether you’re hurtling out of a plane towards it, enjoying the longer route down in a paraglider, or soaking up the new perspective with a scenic flight over the lake. The activities in Wānaka are endless.
with Southern Alps Air, Wānaka Helicopters, Alpine Helicopters or Aspiring Helicopters
Experience the landscapes we know and love from a new perspective. Explore views of Tititea (Mount Aspiring) from the air, head down to Milford Sound, or throw in a few remote glacier landings to really round out the experience. It’s even better from up there.
With Skydive Wānaka
Nothing says adrenaline rush quite like throwing yourself out of a plane and skydiving over Wānaka. Jumping from heights of up to 15,000 feet, you’ll reach speeds of up to 200km/h with a tandem skydive. The view’s great, don’t blink.
with Wānaka Paragliding
Launch from the slopes of Treble Cone, and soak up unmatched views of the region from the air with a tandem paraglide that lasts up to 20 minutes. Keep the flight gentle, or ask your pilot to add a little excitement for the true adrenaline junkies. It’s Wānaka paragliding at its finest.
with Southern Lakes Helibike
It’s the best of both worlds – a scenic helicopter flight up, an exhilarating mountain bike down. Fly up, soak in the views, then bike back through alpine trails and enjoy the rush of downhill biking amongst stunning landscapes.
Our stunning landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for Wānaka’s wildest activities – but with that, comes a responsibility to protect the land in return. To care for our rohe (region), our native plants and wildlife, and ensure our land stays just the way it is for generations to come. Our adventure operators understand the importance of caring for our land, and are deeply committed to preserving the natural beauty that makes our rohe (region) so special. Many businesses actively participate in conservation efforts – and, whether you’re a local or a visitor to Wānaka, that responsibility extends to you.
Love Wānaka is a local non-profit environmental organisation dedicated to protecting, preserving, and regenerating our natural environment. To support their work while you’re here and give a little back to the land that has given us so much, consider donating to Love Wānaka or joining a local volunteering event.
