Guidebook for Wanaka
Drinks & Nightlife
A fairly new place and tastefully done. A smaller more intimate bar with a great selection of wines & spirits. A nice place to meet some friends, or go for pre or post dinner drinks. Dress up or down. Anything goes. Grab yourself a booth, shimmy up and make sure you order one of their sharing platters.
50 locals recommend
Cork Bar
14 Helwick StA fairly new place and tastefully done. A smaller more intimate bar with a great selection of wines & spirits. A nice place to meet some friends, or go for pre or post dinner drinks. Dress up or down. Anything goes. Grab yourself a booth, shimmy up and make sure you order one of their sharing platters.
A 'classy' late night bar. They often have live DJs on, or popular NZ artists playing. Open til late.
41 locals recommend
Bar Number 8
155 Ardmore StA 'classy' late night bar. They often have live DJs on, or popular NZ artists playing. Open til late.
Food Scene
A Wanaka institution. Excellent coffee. Great food. Can be busy and seating limited, but don't be put off, the staff are super friendly and efficient...you won't have to wait long! A great spot to watch the world go by. By sun down, go share a table with some locals and enjoy one of their many local craft beers or wines. Upstairs is a good spot to go in the evening and have one of their awesome pizzas.
63 locals recommend
Kai Whakapai
121 Ardmore StA Wanaka institution. Excellent coffee. Great food. Can be busy and seating limited, but don't be put off, the staff are super friendly and efficient...you won't have to wait long! A great spot to watch the world go by. By sun down, go share a table with some locals and enjoy one of their many local craft beers or wines. Upstairs is a good spot to go in the evening and have one of their awesome pizzas.
Great restaurant. Popular for good reason. "Real" Italian style handmade pastas and pizzas. Informal dining, but can get away with dressing up here too! And the prices are very reasonable.
81 locals recommend
Francesca's Italian Kitchen
93 Ardmore StGreat restaurant. Popular for good reason. "Real" Italian style handmade pastas and pizzas. Informal dining, but can get away with dressing up here too! And the prices are very reasonable.
Hidden away in the Wanaka Mall (opposite New World) is this little cafe that serves great sushi and an array of Japanese style curries. Dine in or take away.
10 locals recommend
Yohei Cafe - Sushi & Juices
31 Dunmore StHidden away in the Wanaka Mall (opposite New World) is this little cafe that serves great sushi and an array of Japanese style curries. Dine in or take away.
Beautiful, interesting food and a reasonable price. "Small plates" sharing style. They don't take bookings here...you just have to turn up. But thats ok, you are encouraged to park up at the bar and sample some nice wines & beers whilst you wait to be seated. Dress up or down, and if you have older children who are into trying something 'adventurous', they will enjoy the experience too. Winner of a "NZ Best Restaurant" award last year.
116 locals recommend
Kika
2 Dunmore StBeautiful, interesting food and a reasonable price. "Small plates" sharing style. They don't take bookings here...you just have to turn up. But thats ok, you are encouraged to park up at the bar and sample some nice wines & beers whilst you wait to be seated. Dress up or down, and if you have older children who are into trying something 'adventurous', they will enjoy the experience too. Winner of a "NZ Best Restaurant" award last year.
Beautiful creative food. Intimate setting. Serving yummy local Mt. Maude wines. Perfect for romantic couples or smaller groups of friends. You will be looked after here.
67 locals recommend
Bistro Gentil
76A Golf Course RdBeautiful creative food. Intimate setting. Serving yummy local Mt. Maude wines. Perfect for romantic couples or smaller groups of friends. You will be looked after here.
Parks & Nature
The views are amazing. But be prepared to hike up with hundreds of other tourists. It is 8km one way and a solid 1200m ascent. That Wanaka Beerworks beer down at Kai Whakapai cafe afterwards will be well deserved :)
Roys Peak Track
Roys Peak TrackThe views are amazing. But be prepared to hike up with hundreds of other tourists. It is 8km one way and a solid 1200m ascent. That Wanaka Beerworks beer down at Kai Whakapai cafe afterwards will be well deserved :)
A favourite with the kids. Be sure to saunter down the jetty and see the massive native eels.
8 locals recommend
Roys Bay Recreational Reserve (Dinosaur Park)
A favourite with the kids. Be sure to saunter down the jetty and see the massive native eels.
Domini Park
Trevathan LaneA great park hidden away in Wanaka. Flying fox. BBQ area etc. A locals favourite.
"Eco-Adventures" will ferry you up to the island and then will give you a guided walk where you will be introduced to NZ native flora and fauna. There are a few different birds there that we don't tend to see on the mainland so it makes the trip all worthwhile. There is a fantastic little track taking you up to the top of the island that makes the best picnic spot and don't forget your togs! If you are feeling brave, you can go for a swim...yes...there is actually a lake at the top of the island! This is a truly 'out of the way' intimate experience where there are not hoards of people.
Mou Waho
"Eco-Adventures" will ferry you up to the island and then will give you a guided walk where you will be introduced to NZ native flora and fauna. There are a few different birds there that we don't tend to see on the mainland so it makes the trip all worthwhile. There is a fantastic little track taking you up to the top of the island that makes the best picnic spot and don't forget your togs! If you are feeling brave, you can go for a swim...yes...there is actually a lake at the top of the island! This is a truly 'out of the way' intimate experience where there are not hoards of people.
Entertainment & Activities
It's fun and not your usual cinema. Good old fashioned half time intermission with home baked cookies & homemade icecream on offer.
97 locals recommend
Cinema Paradiso
72 Brownston StIt's fun and not your usual cinema. Good old fashioned half time intermission with home baked cookies & homemade icecream on offer.
It's quirky. The cafe area (with a million puzzles to have a go at) is free. The outdoor maze is always fun with the family. The illusion room always proves popular with the kids.
128 locals recommend
Puzzling World
188 Wanaka-Luggate HwyIt's quirky. The cafe area (with a million puzzles to have a go at) is free. The outdoor maze is always fun with the family. The illusion room always proves popular with the kids.
Hire a kayak from the waterfront (downtown Wanaka) and take a leisurely paddle out to Ruby Island and see Wanaka from a different perspective. It is approx a 2km paddle (one way). There is a little loop track on the island to stretch your legs and then settle in to have a lunch on one of the picnic benches. There is even a free BBQ there to fire up if you are that way inclined :)
Ruby island
Hire a kayak from the waterfront (downtown Wanaka) and take a leisurely paddle out to Ruby Island and see Wanaka from a different perspective. It is approx a 2km paddle (one way). There is a little loop track on the island to stretch your legs and then settle in to have a lunch on one of the picnic benches. There is even a free BBQ there to fire up if you are that way inclined :)
Essentials
It is the 'big' supermarket in Wanaka. Groceries are a tad cheaper here (compared to to the Four Square on Ardmore St) however, be prepared to stand in a queue if it is 1) holiday time 2) after 4.30pm and the skiers have come down off the hill and 3) it is mid-morning and they do not have enough check-outs open!
Oh. And be sure to ask for a "New World Club Card". They have them for tourists or people who do not not normally shop at NW. It gives you discounts on many "ClubCard Saver" items.
New World Central Car Park
20 Dungarvon StIt is the 'big' supermarket in Wanaka. Groceries are a tad cheaper here (compared to to the Four Square on Ardmore St) however, be prepared to stand in a queue if it is 1) holiday time 2) after 4.30pm and the skiers have come down off the hill and 3) it is mid-morning and they do not have enough check-outs open!
Oh. And be sure to ask for a "New World Club Card". They have them for tourists or people who do not not normally shop at NW. It gives you discounts on many "ClubCard Saver" items.
Thursday afternoons into the evenings, this little market pops up just outside the Speights Ale House. Everything from Artisan bread, to handmade soaps. In the summer months it runs most Sundays too but in Pembroke Park.
6 locals recommend
Wanaka Farmers Market
93 Ardmore StThursday afternoons into the evenings, this little market pops up just outside the Speights Ale House. Everything from Artisan bread, to handmade soaps. In the summer months it runs most Sundays too but in Pembroke Park.
Arts & Culture
A huge collection of vehicles & toys from the past in here! And whilst you are out at the airport, it's worth checking out the Warbirds & Wheels Museum, Wanaka Beerworks Brewery & also the Warbirds & Wheels cafe...set in the 1950s with its very own juke box.
30 locals recommend
National Transport and Toy Museum
891 Wanaka-Luggate HwyA huge collection of vehicles & toys from the past in here! And whilst you are out at the airport, it's worth checking out the Warbirds & Wheels Museum, Wanaka Beerworks Brewery & also the Warbirds & Wheels cafe...set in the 1950s with its very own juke box.
Rippon Vineyard hjas the most majestic views, is rich with history, and has a gorgeous little tasting room too. It can be accessed by walking along the lake front track from town or by car driving in from Mt. Aspiring Road. Check out times of opening for the tasting room. Yet to be confirmed, but in previous winters they have hosted an awesome apres ski Sunday afternoon session with live music and wine :)
40 locals recommend
Rippon
246 Wanaka Mount Aspiring RdRippon Vineyard hjas the most majestic views, is rich with history, and has a gorgeous little tasting room too. It can be accessed by walking along the lake front track from town or by car driving in from Mt. Aspiring Road. Check out times of opening for the tasting room. Yet to be confirmed, but in previous winters they have hosted an awesome apres ski Sunday afternoon session with live music and wine :)
Shopping
Great selection of NZ orientated/made 'bits and bobs', but not your standard touristy items. Everything from homewares, to art, to jewellery,to quirky fun gifts. For such a small shop, one can spend a long time in here!
10 locals recommend
Wonder Room
80 Ardmore StGreat selection of NZ orientated/made 'bits and bobs', but not your standard touristy items. Everything from homewares, to art, to jewellery,to quirky fun gifts. For such a small shop, one can spend a long time in here!
Mostly Australian & NZ designed labels at a reasonable price and for the whole family. They also have a decent selection of shoes too including Converse and the likes.
6 locals recommend
Soul Clothing
91 Helwick StMostly Australian & NZ designed labels at a reasonable price and for the whole family. They also have a decent selection of shoes too including Converse and the likes.