In a recent article called New Zealand for Beginners, the New York Times travel section highlights some of the key aspects that draw tens of thousands of visitors every year. The article covers a great little town in the South Island called Wanaka.

Wanaka is located on the southern shores of Lake Wanaka, in west Otago. Embraced by the Southern Alps, Wanaka is the Otago region’s second ski resort town after Queenstown.

We love sending clients to Wanaka for a few reasons. The first one is that it breaks the long drive down the West Coast from the Franz Josef, where you will find magnificent glaciers to hike on, to the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown. Another reason is that it serves as a great base for branching out for some great tours.

Wanaka has a lot of great things to do and see and also acts as a base for even more adventures to be had. Every year Wanaka hosts a number of world-class festivals and events, including the biggest three-day air show in the Southern Hemisphere, Warbirds Over Wanaka. At the International World Heli-Challenge, the world’s best snowboarders and skiers tackle the demanding back country alpine slopes for the supreme title.

I visited Wanaka in November 2012 and remember it as a dormant small ski village with tons of great vistas. I was based in the area for a spectacular tour I did in Mt. Aspiring National Park where in the span of a few hours I was able to see this area from a helicopter, hike for a few hours without seeing another person and then on the river by jet boat. This trifecta is the ultimate adventure for those wanting to experience this wonderland from every angle.

This town is just one of many fantastic spots around New Zealand and definitely merits a stay whether you are visiting during the winter for some skiing or the summertime for hiking.

Please feel free to call in and speak to one of our consultants about planning your next adventure.