Family-friendly Accommodation in Wānaka: let the kids roam free.

Looking for a place that lets the kids sleep under the stars, meet new friends, explore nature and just be kids? A holiday park or campsite is what childhood dreams are made of.

Wānaka TOP 10 Holiday Park
Just a short drive or bike ride from town, Wānaka TOP 10 is built for families. Think playgrounds for the kids, spas for the parents, and a barby for the whole family. From campervan sites to cabins and motel units with full kitchens, there’s a place for however you like to holiday.

Hampshire Holiday Parks: Glendhu Bay or Wānaka
The Glendhu Bay Holiday Park is the perfect place for a little peace and a lot of nature. Just 15 minutes from town, pitch a tent on the lakefront or snag a self-contained cabin and soak up the easy views. Or, if you’d rather be within walking distance of town, the Wānaka Holiday Park has you covered.

The Camp – Lake Hāwea
Whether camping, glamping, or family cabin-ing, The Camp on Lake Hāwea is one of New Zealand’s best hidden gems. Think a spacious, relaxed feel, glorious lake and mountain views, and plenty of space to let the kids run loose. Be sure to check out the onsite food truck for a cold brew or hot coffee.

A perfect mix of convenience, location, and affordability, motels and apartments provide the perfect family home away from home. Let the kids spread out, enjoy a full kitchen setup, and make it your very own while you’re here.

Clearbrook Motel & Serviced Apartments
The perfect mix of convenience, location, and affordability. Whether you’re after a 1-2 bedroom apartment or a 3-bedroom holiday home, enjoy stunning mountain views, a full kitchen, washing and dryer amenities, and off-street parking that’s perfect for longer stays.

Wānaka Relax Family Holiday Home
Bringing the whole tribe, or sharing the holiday with friends? This holiday home is perfect for big groups, with five bedrooms and plenty of room to relax. As well as a park next door, you’re also close to biking and walking tracks.

Edgewater Lake Wānaka
The only lakefront accommodation in Wānaka, Edgewater has rolling green hills, and and plenty of space for the little ones to run about while you sip a cold one on your lakefront patio. Choose between 1-2 bedroom apartments, both offering a full kitchen, washing and drying facilities, tennis courts, spa and sauna, bike rentals, an on-site cafe and restaurant (with arguably the best patio view in Wānaka), and a breakfast buffet. And with the Millennium track right at your doorstep, you are connected to Wānaka’s walking and biking trail network right from the get-go.

Lakeside Apartments
Wānaka’s only 5-star Qualmark hotel right in the heart of town, just a stone’s throw from the beach. Think spacious apartments with stunning lake and mountain views, daily servicing so you don’t have to worry about the washing up, and all of Wānaka’s best shops and cafés right on your doorstep. Let the kids make a splash in the outdoor pools while you soak up those epic views, or gather everyone around the BBQ area for a proper family feast.

Looking for a more luxurious stay? A hotel or resort is the ideal place to lie back, take it easy, and recharge while you’re in town.

Marina Terrace Apartments
Where self-sufficiency meets luxury, settle into Wānaka’s premium apartments and enjoy all the comforts of quality accommodation. From spacious 2 and 3-bedroom apartments to hotel-style studios and penthouse apartments, your stay wouldn’t be complete without the onsite heated pool, spa pool, and gym facilities.

Number Three – Release Wanaka
Just a 5-minute stroll from Lake Wānaka’s shores, Number 3 puts you close enough for the kids to beg for “just one more swim” on those scorching Wānaka summer days. Enjoy a spacious four-bedroom family home with open-plan living, BBQ, and flexible sleeping arrangements including rooms that split into twins for the little ones. With a large garage for all that family gear and town centre within walking distance for ice cream runs, it’s perfect for your Wānaka family adventure.

Not sure where exactly to stay?

• Central Wānaka is perfect if you don’t have a car or prefer to walk or bike. Think easy access to the lake, shops, groceries and playgrounds.
• Lake Hāwea or Glendhu Bay are perfect for those wanting a nature getaway, with a little more space for the kids and a quieter setting to recharge. Both are only a short drive from town.
• Albert Town offers a quieter pace with the added convenience of being close to town. It has great access to easy bike trails and is perfect for riverside picnics.
• Makarora is an hour’s drive from Wānaka, and is perfect for a more off the grid, get into nature type holiday. Close to the blue pools, hiking, Haast and some of the regions must popular waterfalls.

It’s easy to forget about the rest of the world while you’re on holiday, but we encourage you to do the opposite: to think about the land around you, the mountains and the lakes, and help us protect our stunning home by practising sustainable habits while you’re here. And maybe take a few home with you.

1. Reuse towels and linens rather than requesting daily changes to save both water and energy.
2. Use the recycling stations provided at most motels, resorts, holiday parks, or the local recycling station at Wastebusters, and help kids learn what goes where. You can drop off your home composting at the Grow Wānaka community garden at the end of your stay.
3. Choose self-contained units where you can cook a few meals at home, cutting down on packaging from takeaways.
4. Switch off lights, heaters, and appliances when you head out for the day to cut down on energy consumption.
5. Support sustainable accommodation providers with a real commitment to the environment.
6. Volunteer with local environmental organisations, and give back to the land with your own two hands. This is a great one for kids, too.
7. Donate to a local environmental organisation like Love Wānaka, who are putting in the hard yards to protect and restore our natural flora and fauna  in the region.

Wānaka makes family holidays easy, with plenty more accommodation options that cater to long days, curious children and outdoor adventures, no matter your holiday style or budget. Oh, and while you’re here, don’t forget to check out the Love Wānaka Kids Map for family-friendly adventures that explore all the best bits of Wānaka.