Wanaka Tours

Choose from Single Day or Multi-Day ski passes at Treble Cone; the more you ski, the more you save! These passes are open-dated & can be used at any point during the 2021 winter season. Includes full day ski lift pass giving access to all mountain lifts from 8.30am until 4pm.  Valid for use at Treble Cone (June 25- Sept 25) & Cardrona Alpine Resort (June 11- October 16) during the 2022 winter season.

Inject some thrills into your standard sightseeing adventure and whip through the Southland forests at high speed on this thrilling jet boating experience. Race around Lake Wanaka and down the winding Clutha River, through rapids and tunnels, tight channels and tighter corners, on this compact and comprehensive journey that’ll get you back to shore in time for your afternoon or evening plans. Travel the river at rocketing speeds of around 50mph and enjoy remarkable stunts like the 180-degree Hamilton Spin!

Enjoy high-octane thrills in the New Zealand wilderness on this 2-hour Cardrona Valley quad bike experience from Wanaka. Following a comprehensive safety briefing, pull on your helmet and hop onto your 350cc quad bike. Master the controls in safety, then spin off into the mountains of the mighty Cardrona Valley with your guide. Navigate winding dirt tracks through rolling alpine farmland where Merino sheep and cattle graze. Bounce and roll over the rugged terrain, and enjoy panoramic views over the wilds of New Zealand’s South Island.

Experience the rugged beauty of remote Milford Sound from Wanaka, all in half-a-day. With a choice of morning or afternoon flight departures, fly over lush national parks, epic glaciers, and alpine lakes, before touching down in the Sound. Enjoy a scenic cruise, keeping an eye out for some of the local inhabitants including seals, penguins, and dolphins, before returning to Wanaka by plane.

Saddle up and explore New Zealand’s rugged wilderness on this 3.5-hour Cardrona High Country pub trail horse-riding trek. Head on horseback into the New Zealand countryside with your guide. Discover points of historical interest along the winding mountain trails, and gain insight into the 19th-century gold rush that brought wealth to the area. Pass through a working cattle farm, traverse choppy rivers and enjoy panoramic views over the rugged scenery. Stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel for a complimentary drink, then return to base along the mighty Cardrona River.

Saddle up for a horseback ride through the wild landscapes of the Cardrona Valley. Trace the path of the 19th-century gold rush, climb the mountains for a thrilling view over Wanaka Lake, and trot or gallop through the valley plains. Rides can be tailored for all levels, from complete beginners to experienced riders.

Running from Lake Dunstan in North Otago through to the East Coast, the wide and blue Clutha River is flanked by glacial terraces and stunning New Zealand bush. Speed down the river on this half-day jetboat trip through Upper Clutha Valley, take photos of the towering Southern Alps and thrill at the river’s long winding stretches and switchback corners.

Take control of your own movie with a virtual adventure of epic proportions. You will be able to choose from dozens of options including space walks, 3D art, foriegn museums, and zombies during your hour-long session. This is the perfect opportunity to see the future of entertainment at both the largest Virtual Reality experience in the Southern Hemisphere and Infinity Platform in the world. This experience not just for gamers. No experience is needed.

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 a range of local wineries, sampling the region’s popular pinot noir wines alongside many others. Receive the manaaki (hospitality) of the local Māori community and experience a stirring live haka.

After a catamaran cruise across Lake Wanaka to Mou Waho Island—which sits in the middle of the lake—spot rare native birds that are extinct on mainland New Zealand. Thanks to successful conservation efforts, the island is a rare haven for birdlife. Enjoy a guided hike with an expert guide to a lake at the top of the island, an experience that’s rated one of the best must-do activities in Wanaka.

Over 80% of the world’s population live under light polluted skies which means that the infinite beauty and majesty of the night sky is hidden from them. In Central Otago we are fortunate to enjoy many long evenings under clear skies with minimal light pollution, creating rare opportunities to take images of the solar system and wider cosmos. This fun tour is for people of all skill levels who’d like to discover more about dark sky photography. Depending on the season, time and conditions there will be a variety of objects to shoot; the moon, planets, stars, clusters, galaxies and satellites. There are meteor showers often and on rare occasions the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) will flash in green and purple hues across the sky. All of these phenomena can be photographed using the stunning Wanaka scenery as context and backdrop. On this tour you can acquire some astrophotography experience and skills even if you don’t have the right camera equipment as all of this is supplied.

Central Otago is one of New Zealand’s most popular wine regions, producing well-respected reds and whites in alpine vineyards. On this afternoon tour, visit four of boutique wineries in the region and taste some of their award-winning offerings. Learn the secrets behind these wines from the winemakers themselves, and stop at one winery for a gourmet food and wine matching – tasting dishes of local produce matched with wines from the vineyard.

Central Otago is the world’s southernmost wine-making region, known for its pinot noirs and stunning high-altitude wineries. On this day long tour around this distinctive wine region, taste a wide range of wines – including pinot noirs and chardonnays – at up to six of the region’s boutique vineyards.

See four wineries on this fantastic wine tour.Great for small groups of family and friends who want an exclusive experience. You will travel in a luxury air-conditioned SUV with leather seats, generous legroom, extra headroom, sunroof and USB power. On board there is a free wi fi hotspot, coolbox for your snacks and beverages, wine carrier for purchases and umbrellas. Complimentary bottled water and snacks are also provided. You will discover an amazing range of award winning wines including Pinot Noir, Rosé, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and sparkling wine. You will journey through three distinct winemaking sub regions and visit boutique wineries off the beaten track on this great value wine tasting experience. I am also a photographer and will take pictures of your memorable day trip free of charge and send them to you via download link after the tour.

The snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and waterfalls of the Mount Aspiring National Park lie along the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. This action-packed tour lets you explore the park by plane, boat, and on foot. Soar overhead on a scenic flight, hike along the banks of the Siberia River, then hop aboard for a thrilling jet boat ride along the Wilkin River.

Discover the idyllic landscapes of the Mount Aspiring National Park, where filming for the Lord of the Rings took place, on this action-packed half-day tour from Wanaka. Zip along the Matukituki River on a jet boat, admire spectacular views of Lake Wanaka and Mount Aspiring, then hike past forests and waterfalls to see the Avalanche Glacier.

Sail around the serene Lake Wanaka on this late-afternoon ‘happy hour’ cruise. With a complimentary beer or wine in hand, cruise around the southern end of Lake Wanaka, the majestic Southern Alps in the distance. Sail around Waterfall Creek, Ruby Island and Stevensons Peninsula, and even see the famous ‘Lone Tree’ – a famous willow growing out of the lake.

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 Mount 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. 

Kayaking on serene Lake Wanaka, with its clear waters and beautiful coastline, is a great introduction to kayaking. Beginners and those with more experience will enjoy a calm half-day tour approximately 5.5 miles (9 kms) around the lake. Take in the views while experiencing the unspoiled nature that New Zealand is famous more, but without breaking too much of a sweat.

Hidden away behind a peninsula, Stevensons Island is one of the harder islands to get to on Lake Wanaka. On this half-day trip, catch a luxury ferry from Wanaka and sail out to the island past local mountains and lush countryside. Upon disembarking, hike to the island’s summit and take in grand views of the peninsula, the lake and the Southern Alps

Take a cruise across Lake Wanaka to the remote Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve and make a memorable, eco-friendly impact by planting a native tree before you leave. Opt to take a 1-hour-return guided bush walk to reveal Mou Waho’s hidden secret - another lake, nestled atop the island with panoramic views of Wanaka and the Southern Alps. Enjoy “high tea” surrounded by this spectacular alpine scenery.

Adventurous travelers will love this waterfall climb, with hidden pools, towering waterfalls, swimming spots, and mountain views. Climb steel ladders and cross high, narrow bridges. Enjoy a picnic lunch beside beautiful falls. While no experience is required and full safety briefings are given, this trip is best suited to active travelers who are sure-footed and unafraid of heights.

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 to take pictures from. Families and senior travelers will enjoy this tour, as it’s suitable for all levels of mobility.

A lot of the South Island’s natural hideaways are tough to get to, and that’s definitely the case with Mou Waho Island. This half-day cruise makes it easy; sail from Wanaka Marina to this isolated island in the middle of Lake Wanaka. Walk to the island’s very own lake, the Arethusa Pool, and take panoramic photos of the lake and the nearby Southern Alps, or take a dip at the beach near the island’s only jetty.