All Wanaka Tours & Excursions in 2026

The wide, blue Clutha River is flanked by glacial terraces and stunning New Zealand bush. Speed down the river on this jet boat trip through Upper Clutha Valley, take photos of the towering Southern Alps, and thrill at the river’s long winding stretches and switchback corners. This exciting 1-hour 15-minute excursion shows you parts of New Zealand’s South Island you can’t get to any other way.

Central Otago is one of the world’s southernmost wine-making regions, known for its pinot noirs and stunning high-altitude wineries. On this day-long tour around the distinctive wine region, taste a wide range of wines—including pinot noirs and chardonnays—at up to six of the region’s boutique vineyards. Wine samples are included; refuel with a delicious multi-course banquet lunch. Extra wine is also available to purchase.

Lake Wanaka invites you to explore its stunning islands on this half-day tour. Departing from Wanaka Marina, glide across the crystal-clear waters to Mou Waho Island in the morning or Ruby and Stevensons Islands in the afternoon. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Southern Alps, swim in secluded spots, and discover the rich birdlife and scenery. With comfortable seating aboard the heated McLay 651, snacks and drinks are provided to enhance your journey. Perfect for all ages, this relaxed tour requires no prior experience and accommodates small groups for an intimate adventure. - 3-hour guided lake tour with stunning mountain views - Visit Mou Waho Island, Ruby Island, and Stevensons Island - Snacks and drinks included, with opportunities for swimming

Guests love the balance of excellent wine, local stories, stunning scenery and easygoing fun, plus thoughtful touches like a curated charcuterie board. With door-to-door Wanaka pickup and a friendly, social vibe, it feels less like a tour and more like being shown around by a local friend who truly loves the region. This half-day tour is hosted by a passionate local guide with international wine-tour experience, offering a relaxed, personal feel from start to finish. Unlike larger operators, this tour runs in small groups, allowing real conversations with winemakers, unhurried tastings, and flexibility to adapt the day to the group’s interests. Wineries are carefully selected boutique producers, chosen for their quality, character and welcoming atmosphere rather than volume or commercial scale.

For travelers short on time in Wanaka, this one-hour cruise and walk to Ruby Island is an ideal way to experience the lake and mountains. Glide across Lake Wanaka to Ruby Island in comfort on a luxury catamaran. There, enjoy an easy walk to lookout points that are great places from which to take pictures. Families and senior travelers will enjoy this tour as it’s suitable for all levels of mobility.

Wānaka is a pristine alpine village where mountains blend into crystal-clear waters in New Zealand’s Southern Alps. On self-guided audio tour, you’ll discover Wānaka’s remarkable transformation from remote settlement to beloved lakeside destination. The tour begins at the Wānaka War Memorial, with its commanding view over the township and lake. From there, you’ll meander through the charming village center with its cafés and galleries, follow the spring-fed Bullock Creek, and stroll along the scenic lakefront boardwalk. Along the way, you’ll learn how the town evolved from a frontier outpost called Pembroke, and a hub for gold miners and high-country farmers, to the adventure hub it is today. The tour ends in the peaceful Wānaka Station Park, once part of a vast sheep station established in the 1860s, where you can relax amongst its collection of mature exotic trees planted by early settlers.

Take in the stunning vistas of Lake Wānaka and its surroundings from the sky. Beginning at Wānaka Airport, enjoy a thrilling helicopter ride that soars above the shimmering waters and rugged ridgelines of Roy Peak, culminating in an alpine landing at an impressive 1,200 meters on Mt Alpha. Here, you can step out and soak in 360-degree views that encompass the majestic Southern Alps and the expansive lake below. This scenic flight, available year-round, offers breathtaking perspectives, whether under summer's golden light or winter's crisp snow. A perfect choice for families and travellers looking to experience the beauty of New Zealand's South Island in a short time.

On this half-day tour, experience two unique sides of the Wanaka area: the wine made from grapes grown in the whenua (land), and the culture of the tangata whenua themselves—the indigenous Māori who live on the land. Visit four boutique wineries in Wanaka, Tarras, and Cromwell, sampling various wines and a platter of local produce. Receive the manaaki (hospitality) of the local Māori community and experience a stirring live haka.

Experience the best of Wanaka’s beautiful nature in a single day trip via four-wheel drive, lake cruise, and island walk. Gain exclusive access to private roads on the 4WD safari, and spot rare bird life on Mou Wahou Island, in the middle of Lake Wanaka, with the help of your expert guide. This is two action-packed tours in one, for maximum fun.

This once in a lifetime hike takes visitors into the dramatic mountain range through the high road, allowing them spectacular views of the surrounding vistas and of Lake Wanaka. Succumb to the comforts of the four-wheel drive and learn expert knowledge of the local flora and fauna from a professional guide.

Enjoy a comfortable cruise on our 28 seat super taxi Moutimu and a knowledgeable Kiwi skipper to answer your questions along the way. Cruise through outstanding mountain scenery to the remote Mou Waho Island nature reserve. We are contracted to the Department of Conservation and every guest contributes to funding the conservation work on Mou Waho Island ensuring that it is a predator-free conservation area for our unique native birds and other fauna. Here you can see first-hand results of conservation efforts including the rare flightless Buff Weka (extinct on the mainland since 1920), the Mountain Stone Weta and many other native birds. A two hour self-guided nature walk is included and this will take you up to the natural glacial lake right on top of the island and magnificent mountain and lake scenery in every direction. This is rated as one of the top activities by visitors to Wanaka and rated among the best Wanaka walks and hikes.

This self-guided audio driving tour takes you on a stunning, two-hour journey from Wānaka to Queenstown via the scenic Crown Range and historic Arrowtown. It is a trip through natural drama, rich gold-rush history, and quirky landmarks. Key highlights of the tour include: Driving New Zealand’s highest sealed alpine road, the Crown Range. Visiting iconic landmarks like That Wānaka Tree and the historic Cardrona Hotel. Passing by the famous and quirky Cardrona Bra Fence. Exploring the historic gold-mining town of Arrowtown. Hearing stories of Māori trailblazers, explorers, and skiing pioneers. This tour can be combined with the 'Queenstown to Wānaka' tour for a complete circular route. Would you like me to find out more details about either of the mentioned tours?

Get far away from the crowds on this 4x4 day trip from Wanaka. Start with a boat ride across Lake Wanaka, then get exclusive access to the Mt. Burke Station. Hop aboard the 4x4 vehicle there and drive up into the mountains. Your guide will tell you stories from Otago’s pioneer history and the gold rush era. Enjoy a delicious picnic with spectacular lake and mountain views.

Welcome to a Wine Lover's Paradise! Join us as we embark on a wine tasting - sightseeing adventure like no other visiting wineries around Wanaka - Pisa - Cromwell - Bannockburn - Bendigo. It is a day full of new mates, scenic beauty, a beautiful gourmet lunch platter and some seriously good wine. Meet the winemakers who are pouring their passions and get an insider's look into everything that is involved in creating the perfect glass of wine from vineyard to bottle. Living the Dream Tours is a wine tour company that encourages guests to unwind for an unforgettable day and let us do all the work. It's not just a tour; it's a connection with the artisans who make the magic happen.

A full day on Lake Wānaka promises a rewarding fishing experience for both novices and seasoned anglers. Spend six hours on the water, targeting Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Quinnat Salmon, with expert guidance from your skipper. The journey begins just minutes from the marina, where you’ll explore prime fishing spots and apply various techniques like trolling and jigging to reel in your catch. Enjoy a packed lunch on board, allowing you to maximize your fishing time without interruptions. With a maximum of six participants, personalized attention is guaranteed, ensuring a memorable day amidst stunning alpine scenery.

Journey from Wanaka to Queenstown, soaking in the stunning views of the Southern Alps and Cardrona Valley. This small group tour is fully guided and designed for comfort, making stops at iconic sites like the historic Cardrona Hotel and the breathtaking Crowne Range lookout. Your passionate guide will share insightful stories along the way, creating a memorable experience. Travel in a modern, comfortable minibus with a small group. Visit the historic Cardrona Hotel and enjoy the scenic Crowne Range Lookout.

Those wishing to experience Wanaka’s natural beauty will love this scenic bike tour. This easy grade, guided bike ride takes visitors along one of Wanaka’s beautiful rivers where they can take in the crystal blue waters and endless mountain vistas. This is a great opportunity to take in the sites of Wanaka while enjoying some gentle exercise.

Explore the stunning vineyards around Wanaka and indulge in a delightful wine tasting experience. Visit three exceptional vineyards and savor up to 13 hand-crafted wines, including world-renowned varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. One vineyard features a mouthwatering 3-course barrel-cooked banquet paired with select wines, enhancing your culinary journey. This intimate tour, limited to just eight guests, ensures personalised attention while you soak in the breathtaking scenery and world-class hospitality of the region. - Taste 13 different hand-crafted wines from local vineyards - Enjoy a delicious 3-course barrel-cooked banquet at one vineyard - Limited to small groups of maximum 8 guests for an intimate experience - Daily tours lasting 3.5 hours, with pick-up at 1:30 PM from your accommodation

Catch a Fish is a small-group, owner-operated fishing experience with a maximum of just six guests, giving everyone plenty of personal attention and the chance to be genuinely involved. Whether it’s your first time fishing or you’ve fished for years, the experience is adapted to you. Beginners are guided through everything, while experienced anglers can get more involved with techniques, gear and the Lake Wānaka fishery. Once fishing, we use a fully electric trolling motor, meaning no engine noise while we fish. Its clever GPS route-following system can automatically guide the boat along our fishing route, giving your skipper more time to interact with guests, help with the fishing, answer questions and share his knowledge. Quality fishing gear, a comfortable purpose-built boat, local guide, locally sourced treats and cold drinks are all included, creating a relaxed and personal way to experience Lake Wānaka.

On this small group tour, we'll pick you up anywhere in Wanaka at your preferred time. We've created this trip due to high demand for an easy e-bike ride with a focus on wine and food. After a quick 20-minute orientation on the e-bike, you're ready to roll. We've got your back with first aid kits, maps, and a spare bike. While it's not guided, we're nearby if you need help. Explore food and drink options, enjoy the flat, wide trail – great for beginners. It's a 6-hour trip, with about 2 hours of easy biking. We take care of the driving so you can savor the wine in style. Just a short 35-minute ride from Wanaka takes you to the unique Bannockburn landscape and their superb Pinot Noirs.

Fly high above the beautiful Lake Wanaka with Wanaka Parasailing on either a single, or a tandem flight. This is one of the best things to do in Wanaka, book your flight today! Please note the cost of NZ$185.00 per person includes booking fees.

Immerse yourself in the environment and truly connect with nature Learn climbing and canyoning in one tour Enjoy stunning mountain and lake views. Get up close and personal with waterfalls Feel an adrenaline rush as you rappel down 6 waterfalls

A 3-hour fishing charter on Lake Wānaka offers an exhilarating journey into some of the best fishing grounds, just a short ride from the marina. With local guides, anglers of all skill levels can target Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Quinnat Salmon, employing techniques like trolling and spinning. The stunning backdrop of the Southern Alps enhances the experience as you reel in your catch. Enjoy quality equipment, refreshments, and the camaraderie of fellow fishing enthusiasts while creating memories that last a lifetime.

A stunning guided ride along the banks of one of NZ’s most beautiful and powerful rivers. Varied riding, beautiful vistas and plenty of photo opportunities make this a must do trip for those who appreciate exercise and scenery.  Participants need to be able to ride a bike on loose sand and gravel, and up and down (moderate) hills. A medium level of fitness is required. The length of the ride is 12kms.