In the past nothing much seemed to change about Wanaka, but since our last visit, Wanaka has boomed! The “suburbs” of Wanaka have grown and new houses are popping up (it’s easy to see why more people are moving to Wanaka). Downtown Wanaka seemed more vibrant and it had some new shops and cafes, and a few of the cafes were so trendy it was impossible to get a seat. The energetic vibe was nice to see, but there’s no fear that it will turn into another Queenstown because it’s a completely different beast.

We spent a few nights staying at the Lake Hawea Hotel, which was delightfully peaceful and scenic, and offered gorgeous views across Lake Hawea and spectacular food at the restaarant. We then moved to The Moorings, which was more in the thick of downtown Wanaka. And naturally we went skiing when we weren’t hanging out in cafes - you can see our reviews of Harris Mountains Heliski, Cardrona and Treble Cone.
See our video here

The locals think they have a great thing, it's really just average. Maybe it is the best in NZ, but average worldwide.

Unfriendly services, lack of good snow, and expensive sum this trip up! Would not recommend!
See our video here

I much prefer Wanaka to Queenstown as it is less crowded and busy. You can get a park outside the bakery in the morning right across the road from the lake no worries, and Treble Cone is only up the road and if Treble Cone isn't looking flash, chances are Cardrona is ok down the valley.

There are nice bars and restaurants along the waterfront offering a range of food but my pick is the Monteiths Alehouse serving good Kiwi tucker and a wide range of tap beers.

The Ski/Board Shops were excellent for giving tips and info especially the crew at The Base who were more than helpful and so were their Workshop when it came to their overnight tuning service. We'd ride all day and just drop our boards off afterwards and then drop by first thing in the morning and they'd be done without fail.

They have a Skatepark across the road from the lake if your legs can still handle it after a days riding and there are other activities like the Basecamp Climbing Centre if the weather turns. The New Zealand weather can be unpredictable so it is better to plan your activities by ear depending on what the weather is doing rather than make plans that cannot be changed at short notice. If not you might find yourself in poor visibility while another Ski Field enjoys sunshine an hour away.
See our video here

Wanaka has the relaxed and friendly feel of a quiet country town, but it also manages to have a chic and stylish culture. So the feel of the place is beautiful and it’s also physically beautiful. Lake Wanaka and the mountains provide a gorgeous backdrop, but the buildings are also aesthetically pleasing.

Other pros: large range of restaurants serving basic fare to upscale gourmet creations; various cool bars; proximity to a few ski resorts; and lots of activities on offer.

Queenstown is just down the road if you want to access more excitement, but you can avoid the craziness of Queenstown if you want to just enjoy the relative peace of Wanaka.
See our video here