Your Guide to 6 Days in Wānaka this Autumn

You’ve arrived in Wānaka, and the rest of the day is yours to savour. Start your holiday the slow way, with a walk around the lake and a reusable cuppa from Scroggin or Relishes. Sure, you could go see ‘That Wānaka Tree’. Or you could take the locals’ route less travelled along the Eely Point Track, breathing in the lake-dipped mountain views and golden poplars that line the lake.

From there, orient yourself with a wander through town to the famous food trucks, then grab a bite and head back down to the lake to enjoy dinner with one helluva view. Breathe, bask, and just be.

With the summer heat gone and the winter snow still a month or two away, autumn is one of the best seasons for biking, hiking and walking in Wānaka. Whether it’s an easy afternoon walk up Mount Iron, a half-day jaunt up Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain for 360° views over Mt Aspiring National Park, or a bigger day hike (that, call us crazy, isn’t Roy’s Peak), there are walks for every ability and effort level.

Prefer to explore on two wheels? Mountain bikers can spend the day at Bike Glendhu, soaking up dreamy autumn views over Wānaka and riding through a wide range of bike trails for all skill levels. Back in town, head to Sticky Forest for a few local trails, or rent a gravel or e-bike and explore Deans Bank or the Upper Clutha River Track.

Whether hiking or biking, always check conditions and weather. It might be the end of summer, but the days can be colder leading up to winter. Plan for the best, prepare for the unexpected.

If there’s one thing that lends itself naturally to Wānaka, it’s wellness. Rooted in nature and with the big wide world right on the doorstep, Wānaka makes it easy to recalibrate. Start your day with a lakeside sauna at The Secret Sauna in Hāwea or The Sauna Wānaka on this side of the Flats. Sweat it out with mountain and lake views, then take a cold dip in the lake for a reset, the local way.

Active Massage also offers a recovery space with an ice bath, sauna, hot tub, and massage therapy. Good for the body, good for the soul. Alternatively, move your body with intention with active yoga at Hot Yoga Fusion or pilates at Reform Wānaka.

In the afternoon, head out to the Wānaka Lavender Farm. Reconnect with nature in the purple blooms, try their lavender ice cream or lavender honey, and meet the farm animals before finishing the day with an unrushed evening and a glass of wine or sleepy tea before bed.

Today is all about exploring town and the people who make it what it is. Wander through the quaint streets and explore local boutiques, galleries, book stores and outdoor shops. Bonus points for plastic-free shopping.

From there, consider a guided experience rather than going it alone. Experience a backcountry immersion tour at Lake Hāwea Station, with exclusive ATV access to some of New Zealand’s most remote landscapes, learning the stories of the land with unmatched views, wildlife spotting, fresh mountain air and locally sourced cuisine.

Or, take a scenic 20-min boat ride with Wānaka Water Taxi over to Stevenson’s Arm, a remote peninsula accessible only by boat and not open to the public. This guided or self-guided boat and hike tour allows you to explore the peninsula and soak up secluded lake and mountain views from a whole new perspective. Sans the crowds.

Keep the rest of your day flexible. Linger over a coffee, go back to your favourite gallery, dip in the lake, or read a book in the sun. Savouring the days is what autumn is all about.

We might be best known for our views, but our local wine and food scene is a close second. The vineyards around Wānaka are well suited to autumn, when harvest has finished, and cellar doors aren’t as busy. Take a guided wine tour with WanaHaka® or Roam Wine Tours, toasting and tasting your way through the region while learning the stories of our land.

If you prefer to explore at your own speed, there are several cellar doors within easy reach of town, like the Maude Tasting Room or Rippon Vineyard. Or, if you’re the less-wine-more-spirits type, head out to the Cardrona Distillery to taste Cardrona’s finest liqueur, whisky, gin or vodka instead. Sip your cold one, linger in the sun, soak up the views, and forget how to rush. Long lunches and unhurried afternoons are what these days are made for.

For your last day, explore beyond the lake. Lake Hāwea is the locals’ quiet place, with lakeside walks and a slower feel, sans the crowds. Further north, Makarora is a gateway to the Mt Aspiring National Park, with beautiful short walks through native forests. Luggate and Cardrona offer a taste of small-town Central Otago, with beautiful scenery, local cuisine, and adventure activities that just keep coming.

• Hāwea: Walk lakeside along the Gladstone Track, spend a night immersed in nature at The Camp, or have a go at surfing, kayaking, or body-boarding at The Hāwea Wave.
• Luggate: Take a scenic flight from the Wānaka airport, learn to fly yourself, or enjoy one of the world’s largest private collections of aircraft, vehicles and toys at the National Transport and Toy Museum.
• Makarora: Go native bird-spotting in the Makarora Bush, head out to the Blue Pools to find crystal clear waters amongst beautiful beech forests, or try the Siberia Experience and jet boat ride with Wilkin River Jets.
• Cardrona: Grab a bite at the iconic Cardrona Hotel Restaurant & Bar, ride a few laps at the Cardrona Bike Park, or explore the Cardrona Valley by horse-trek or quad-bike.

• Autumn weather can change quickly, so layers are a non-negotiable. Mornings are often cool, with clear, settled afternoons. Make sure to pack for unpredictable weather when heading into the outdoors.
• Accommodation in Wānaka increasingly prioritises sustainable practices, and choosing sustainable providers or learning to stay more sustainable in your own accommodation supports the region’s long-term wellbeing.
• Do you (really) need to rent a car? If you’re staying in town, consider getting around by bike or joining guided tours to help reduce emissions and take pressure off local roads.
• Give a little back. Part of appreciating Wānaka’s stunning landscapes is doing your part to protect it. Join a volunteer day through Love Wānaka, plant some native trees through Te Kākano, help out at the Grow Wānaka community garden, or join a beach or river clean-up through WAI Wānaka.