Little Eco Explorers: Family-Friendly Nature Adventures in Wānaka

Ready for an eco adventure that digs a little deeper into the Wānaka rohe (region)? The Love Wānaka Treasure Map is the perfect adventure challenge for little ones, discovering local spots through eco-friendly missions. Whether tracking birds, feeding local tuna (eels), discovering native plants or finding insects, this map explores Wānaka’s real native treasures while teaching kids how to care for the environment.

The Wānaka Lavender Farm is a must for families, with stunning rows of lavender fields, friendly farm animals, and a wide range of homemade lavender products. Just a few minutes from town, let your little ones explore the gardens, feed their furry friends and try the lavender ice cream, while you enjoy a slower pace among the flowers. It’s a great way to blend beauty with an understanding of seasonal, local growing.

An animal sanctuary in Cardrona Valley, Kind Farm South is a safe haven for animals where compassion and respect are at the heart of everything they do. Take the kids on a one-hour, immersive behind-the-scenes farm tour, where you can meet the animals up close, learn their stories and daily routines, and discover care practices first-hand.

No family trip to Wānaka is complete without a boat journey to Mou Waho and a short hike up to “the lake on an island, on a lake on an island, on an island in the ocean.” With Wānaka Water Taxi or Eco Wānaka Adventures, families can take a short boat ride to the island, explore the trails, hike to the lake, and spot the local wildlife. Cheeky weka included.

Have older kids ready for a little more adventure? Ridgeline offers 4WD and walking tours through private farmland with stunning views, while Aspiring Guides run family-friendly treks into Mt Aspiring National Park. Connect your family with Wānaka’s wilder side, with expert guidance making sure everyone keeps their fingers.

From lake to plate, there’s no better way to earn your grub in Wānaka than at Hook. Grab the kids, the fishing poles, and try your luck catching Chinook salmon from the spring-fed lakes out back, before having it cooked fresh on site for dinner. It’s hands-on, sustainable, and is a great way to show kids a more circular way of eating.

Treat the kids to views they won’t find in the school yard. Explore the 5 best short walks in Wānaka, and foster a love for the outdoors that will stick with your little explorers for a lifetime. Create a list and see how many hikes you can tick off, how many native plants and birds you can spot, or how many pieces of rubbish you can pick up along the way.

Wānaka isn’t just about enjoying the landscape, it’s about caring for it too. Learn how with the likes of the Love Wānaka Treasure Map, then wrangle your little explorers and join a planting day with Te Kākano, help maintain the Grow Wānaka community garden, or join another volunteering event to contribute to conservation projects.

WAI Wānaka and Love Wānaka run regular volunteering opportunities for the whole family, and there’s no better way to inspire the next generation into regenerative action than by getting small hands dirty for a good cause. Even planting trees or watering shrubs gives kids the sense that they’re helping to keep this place thriving for future explorers.

• Pack a small nature kit for the kids. A magnifying glass, notebook, and colouring pencils make tracking insects or sketching birds even more exciting.
• Pack layers and sun protection. Even in summer, temperatures can shift quickly, especially on the lake or higher trails. A hat, sunscreen, and a light windbreaker go a long way.
• Choose local produce for easy picnics. Stop by the Upper Clutha Farmers Market or Freshlink Grocer in the morning for fresh fruit and picnic supplies.
• Use refill stations. Wānaka is a refill-friendly town, so bring your reusable water bottles and top up at local cafes or the lakefront water fountain.
• Keep an eye out for native wildlife. Pīwakawaka (fantails), pūteketeke (Southern crested grebes), and even tiny skinks are common around Wānaka tracks, so keep an eye out.
• Take time to talk about the land. Chat with the little’uns about what it means to explore our land, culture and community respectfully.

Whether it’s catching your first fish, planting a native tree or following a local treasure map, Wānaka is filled with activities that immerse families in the spectacular nature of the rohe (region). More than a fun day out, these eco activities help the next generation understand the rhythms of the land and meaningful ways to give back, blending fun and learning with a real desire to protect our land.

Need more ideas? Check out these things to do with kids in Wānaka for even more activities this summer. Go on, Wānaka’s wild is waiting, and your little eco explorers are leading the way.