Lake WānakaAbout Lake Wānaka
Lake Wānaka is a large glacial lake on New Zealand’s South Island, noted for its clear water and alpine backdrop. It is one of the country’s larger lakes and is a focal point for outdoor recreation in the region.
Popular draws include the lakeshore town of Wānaka, hiking and ski areas in nearby mountains, boating and trout fishing, and the well known solitary willow tree in the shallows often called “That Wanaka Tree” which is a frequent photography subject. Trails such as Roys Peak and access to Mount Aspiring National Park make the area a major base for day hikes and multi-day alpine trips.
Māori knew and used the lake for centuries before European settlement; from the 19th century the area developed pastoral farms and later tourism infrastructure. Over the 20th and 21st centuries the town and lake became internationally known for adventure tourism and as a gateway to nearby national parks.
Geographically the lake sits in inland Otago surrounded by the Southern Alps and subalpine foothills, with the town of Wānaka on the southern shore and regional transport links to Queenstown and the wider Otago region.
- Base town: The town of Wānaka at the lake’s southern end is the primary base for hiking, skiing and alpine recreation in the surrounding mountains.
What to See#
- That Wanaka Tree: A lone willow tree that grows out of the lake close to the town shore, widely photographed and used as an iconic image of the region.
Best Time to Visit Lake Wānaka
Summer (Dec-Feb) for warm lake activities; winter (Jun-Aug) for skiing nearby-shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and pleasant conditions.
Weather & Climate near Lake Wānaka
Lake Wānaka's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 1°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (870 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 10° - 20° | 15° | 79 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 11° - 21° | 16° | 46 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 9° - 19° | 14° | 75 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 7° - 16° | 11° | 60 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 4° - 12° | 6° | 102 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 2° - 10° | 3° | 72 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 1° - 9° | 3° | 77 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 2° - 11° | 4° | 62 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 4° - 13° | 6° | 63 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 6° - 15° | 10° | 122 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 7° - 17° | 12° | 54 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 9° - 19° | 14° | 58 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Lake Wānaka
Lake Wānaka lies at the town of Wānaka in New Zealand’s Otago region. By car from Queenstown the most direct route is State Highway 6 (via the Crown Range or the longer SH6 route) and the drive takes about one to one-and-a-half hours; regular intercity buses also run between Queenstown and Wānaka. The lakefront is a very short walk from Wānaka town centre (a few minutes) with parking and walking paths along the shore.
Tips for Visiting Lake Wānaka
- For the classic Wanaka Tree reflection shots and calmer water, visit at sunrise - the light is best and the tree is far less crowded than later in the day.
- Park along the Roys Bay lakefront and walk the short, signed path to the tree rather than driving to the closest point - parking close to the lake is limited and fills early.
- If you want solitude, choose off-peak seasons or weekdays; the tree is easy to reach from Wanaka town, so it becomes very busy during fair weather and holidays.